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/”/]
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I put the "lower end" Vittoria Rubino Pro Tech on my new wheels. They are 150 TPI and have reinforced sidewalls. My primary concern on the roads I ride is punctures, but even these heavy duty versions are very nice. I think I have been converted from Conti's and I never thought that would happen.
Open Pave CGs -- love em on my Hed C2s with latex tubes -- they measure out at 26.5mm! Riding at 80/85 PSI they are like the proverbial 'buttah'.
My dilemma is choosing between that setup and my Nemesis/Veloflex Roubaix set. I haven't found that sweet spot yet on pressure for the Roubaixs that gives me the same cush as the Open Paves. The Roubaixs feel s bit firmer with just a touch more harshness through the back wheel. I haven't done a good job of looking at speeds/etc on my rides so probably need to be more deliberate about that.
Maybe I'll try a set of the Pave CG tubs as a comparison to the clincher version and my Roubaixs. But for clinchers -- I'm firmly in the Open Pave CG camp.
There are times when I think that tubs would be a great idea for me, but I'm just so afraid of flatting 75km from home with no cell reception and no way to fix it. I'd be more in favor of tubless that tubs... But for now, I'm sticking with my clinchers. I've got a decent pair of Michelin Krylions at the moment, but will certainly entertain the notion of procuring "better" tyres for my next set.
@itburns
I rode those for one season and actually didn't like them too well. I found them to be puncture vulnerable and fast wearing. The OPE's are much better but I'm not sure why unless it has something to do with the TPI. I'm really interested though in picking up some Cross XN Pros for graveling. Those are sweet looking.
I've always wanted to try Vittoria Opens but get cheap Veloflex so haven't yet.
@Dr C
I've been using Veloflex corsas for a few years and love then. I found a guy here that does then at E20 a piece so I stock up and toss them when they get cut, the roads here are pretty dirty!! I'd say they'd last as long as any 'race' tire in equal conditions.
They come in a 23mm now but I haven't tried them yet to see the difference.
I also read somewhere, aforum probably, that Veloflex came about when Vittoria shifted production to Thailand, but I have no idea if it is true or not.
As for latex tubes. I tried them, thought I could feel the difference but had bad luck with punctures and at E9 a pop I flagged them. We're planning to move to the country next year so I try them again if I don't go all in and build up a set of tubulari.
Great topic. I've run Open Paves the last couple winters. Now have 25 mm Corsas on my Nemesis wheelset. Having gone over to tubulars I'm not as keen on going back to clinchers. Looks like I need to troll ebay for a second wheelset to fit with Pave tubulars.
@teleguy57
Surprised your clinchers feel more butter than the tubes. Must be the tires. My clincher wheelset is HED and they don't run as nice as my Nemesis on comparable tires.
@Xyverz
It's just not that bad. First line of defense is some sealant which often will get the tubular sealed up, at least enough to get you home. Second is a preglued spare tubular tire under the saddle or in the jersey pocket, Rip off damaged tire, put on the preglued spare, off you go. You won't want to rail a technical descent on the spare, but it will get you home.
@Marko
Thanks for the warning. So far they have held up well against various forms of road shrapnel but I don't have many miles on them yet. My understanding was that the higher the TPI, the thinner the threads, and the more prone to puncturing. It's why I went with the 150 over the 220 or 320, I'll try the Diamante or OPE next.
@itburns
Hate to pile it on, but my race bike came w/ rubino pros which in dry were great. first wet race dropped me like a bad habit on a turn not doing anything all that crazy. Some quick internet research turned up my experience wasn't an isolated one, whether or not was rider error. good luck! It was back to contis for me...(clinchers anyhow)
@gaswepass
Let's see how deep we can make this thread!
My bike also came with low-end Vittoria tires.They were fine, but after ~6 months they were looking pretty worn and were starting to get nicked up.
I've been using Conti GP4000 since then, which have been great. But I'd be open to trying a high-end set of Vittoria's next time I need new tires as well.
Big fan of the GP4000S I have. I'm thinking of going to latex tubes. I hear good things about em.