Normally The Keepers reserve our Reverence articles for products we’ve used for years, or with new stuff that has had at least six months of duty. Riding the cobbles of Belgium and Northern France can put most gear (and bodies) through six months of abuse in just a few weeks, so in this case the work these tyres have been put through there and in the months since qualifies them for a deserved earlier dose of Reverence.
Selecting what gear to run for the Cobbled Classics Keepers Tour wasn’t too hard a task; there are some things which just go with cobbles bikes like double wrapped bartape, alloy steerer fork and of course box section rims laced 3 cross. Tubular or clincher was about the only tough decision I had to make. I managed to find a cheap pair of Ambrosio tub rims, but as they were 36 hole it proved impossible to find a cassette hub in time for the tour. How bad could clinchers be? After all, Freddy Guesdon won Roubaix on clinchers in 97, and the Pavé boys would have spare wheels if something went terribly awry. It wasn’t the cobbles that would claim my clinchers, but the ham-fisted rock apes generously referred to by airlines as baggage handlers.
Choosing a tyre to run was probably the easiest task. It had to be Vittoria’s Open Pavé CG‘s, based on what I’d seen gracing Pro’s bikes in just about every edition of the Spring Classics I’d witnessed. The distinctive green herringbone tread stripe is as synonymous with these races as are crazed fans, beer and frites en mayo. Unfortunately the ‘Open Tubular’ doesn’t come in the 28mm width of it’s tubular brethren, but a 24mm version only. That extra mm wasn’t a lot but it was something. The real benefit of the tyres though is the 320TPI casing, yeilding a super smooth ride on any surface. Coupled with Vittoria’s Latex inner tubes, the feel of cushioning under the bike is definitely noticeable. Over all of the 21 secteurs we rode on the way to Roubaix, then another 15 of the worst a few days later, topped with a full complement of Flandrian roads, I only once feared I might hear the dreaded hiss from my tyres. Nailing an edge of a nasty cobble hard enough to feel the rock hitting the rim, the tyre bounced off and the slippery latex tube stayed intact. On return to NZ, I inspected the tyres for damage and was surprised and delighted to find nary a nick or any signs of wear.
I’ve been riding the Pavés ever since the Tour, and don’t want to swap them out at least until the Kiwi winter is over. The ride continues to impress with their sheer suppleness (dare I say souplesse?) over rough surfaces. They aren’t the lightest or fastest rolling, but neither am I. For summer I think I’ll try the lighter Corsa Evo SC‘s, which look just as cool with their tan sidewalls and are another Pro favourite. And if you’re worried about a green stripe clashing with your bike’s paint job, I think there should be a Rule #8 ammendment that the only coloured tyre allowed on any bike, due to it’s unrivalled heritage, is the venerable and now ReVered Open Pavé CG.
Thanks to Graeme at Cycle Sport NZ for his generosity in supplying the tyres and tubes.
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/brettok@velominati.com/Open Pav/”/]
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
Late to the discussion but I'm with Brett on the merits of these tires - I'm onto my second pair and both have been devoted primarily to commuting duties and used on the pave for the Melburn Roobaix ride each year.
They are great tire - worth the extra expensive as they are pretty bulletproof and last longer than many others.
@Oli
Nipple lube, cheers Oli. I've still got the Ambrosios to build up too, this could be fun.
@Steampunk
That's the point, riding doesn't hurt at all - it's walking and trying to sleep at night that are excruciating. The Ridley Damocles ISP arrived at the start of April and the geometry and fit is as near as we could manage the same as the alloy bike that it replaced - it feels fine. It feels more compliant that the bike it replaces but was designed for big people to ride the pave. Hence, we figured, it should work well here. Like I say I'll try the less aggressive tyre set up and report back. I just want to be confident that just because cycling isn't hurting it isn't damaging me more.
Just gotta love tan sidewalls...
Sorry about the crap quality photo, looks better in my hallway
Funny, I need a new pair of work shoes, as the soles are so worn out, my socks are wearing out on the pavement - I thought, £50 for a new pair of shoes at least - stuff that, it'll have to wait til next payday - then I look at my bike and think, you could do with a new pair of shoes too, even though your Vittorias are in fine nick, and I hit the buy it now button, pching, £65 spent.... priorities are a hard thing to quantify!
@the Engine
I have a crappy left L5/S1 disc, and find cycling actually has helped it - best thing is to ride gently, in a gear slightly too big, up an easy gradient hill, full weight on the bars, arms locked out, and only work on the upstroke - gives you a really good rotational traction on your lower back - the money you save on physios will get you a new set of Vittorias
He said buttery ass. Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh.
Nipple lube, nipple lube, nipple lube, nipple lube, nipple lube, nipple lube, nipple lube, nipple lube, nipple lube, nipple lube, nipple lube, nipple lube, nipple lube.
Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh.
@JIPM
A seth efriken of my former acquaintance used to use an an expression "His bum's in the butter" or sometimes "He's landed with his bum in the butter".
I guess when you haven't got sheep you have to find other entertainment.
Nipple lube is cool heh heh heh
@Dr C
Thanks - I'll report back tomorrow...