tubs

[carl f]

Punctured my rear tub today
Standard 'tufo s3 pro' that came with my px wheels last year
They are still in good condition with plenty of life left in them but wondering if its worth the cost getting it repaired/learning to repair or just chuck it and get a better tyre?
If so what do you recommend?
Ta
Carl

[Andrew G]

Paul Tunnell offers a repair service for Addiscombe riders at a very good price. He's repaired 2 tubs for me and both ride perfectly well and I continued to race on them without any problems.

Most punctures will be repairable, only if it's too big or in a dodgy spot (like too near the valve) that it can't be done. Some people are precious and only race on unrepaired tubs but I can't say I noticed any real difference, on a perfectly smooth track no doubt it would be noticeable but I never noticed it out on the road.

Tub prices have gone up quite a bit this year, I think due to the exchange rate and import duties and the like, so if anyone spots any good deals on good tubs then it's probably worth spreading the word on the forum.

Vittoria Crono Evo CS - I've been using these and like them a lot, handmade, nice and light and fast with a low rolling resistance. Some heavier riders find them a bit puncture prone I think but I've had no problems. I was picking them up for about £38 but they've gone up to near £50 of late so I doubt I'll replace with the same when I need new ones unless the price drops.
Vittoria Corsa Evo CX - Road racing version of above I think, not as fast I don't think but still good and still about £38.
Veloflex Records - The Dog's and priced accordingly (about £70 I think), for the rich or those that only treat their bike to the best.
Conti Sprinters - about £30 I think and I'm pretty sure PVT uses these. Think they are pretty good, not as good as the Vittorias but not as expensive.
Vredestein Fortezzza Pro - I might be looking at these next as I've seen good comments about them and that they are apparently very similar to the Vittoria Crono so I might look at these next if they're cheaper.

Worth checking [url=http://www.sdeals.com/oscommerce/index.php?cPath=22&osCsid=dfrq04akv6qhakdbtqecbj0c76]here[/url] as they sometimes have good deals.

Goes without saying but the best deal is to post race clean the tubs and check for flints and grit, and keep the wheels in wheel bags.

[Dominic]

Tufo tubs are not like other tubs and need to have sealant to fix them. It can be used to prevent or repair the hole. I use Tufo tubs and have had not problems using the sealant on a small front puncture. This now happily still holds 140psi. Try here for Tufo stuff and other deals:

http://www.sdeals.com/oscommerce/index.php

[carl f]

Thanks guys
Think i might try the sealant method first,its only a small puncture caused by a tiny flint
I have been racing and training on these tubs for one year and this is the 1st puncture
Cheers
Carl

[carl f]

Punctured on the front wheel today. Tufo s3 again. Was at the Marlow duathlon,shame as i was in 2nd place but after only 2k on the bike i hit a crater in the road and that lovely hissing sound
Anyway,just to recap my question. Been looking at tubs but they are expensive. Anyone recommend a good deal on tubs at the mo?,i need to act quick as i will be racing again in two weeks
Also someone mentioned Paul.T can repair tubs. Paul are you still offering your services?,if so i have two tufo s3 tubs that need repairing if your interested.........
Cheers
Carl

[Andrew G]

Bad luck Carl. As Dom said above I don't think tufo can be repaired, you use a [url=http://www.sdeals.com/oscommerce/product_info.php/products_id/173?osCsid=dfrq04akv6qhakdbtqecbj0c76]sealant[/url] which will probably make them feel a bit deader and not run as well, but you may want to try before chucking.

Conti sprinters are a reasonable tub at a good price - [url=http://www.sdeals.com/oscommerce/product_info.php/cPath/22/products_id/175?osCsid=dfrq04akv6qhakdbtqecbj0c76]here[/url]. I've used the pre-black chilli version and they felt a bit dead but these may be nicer to ride.
Better are Vittoria Corsa Evo CX, these are a road race tub so a bit more durable than a TT tub. A bit heavier but I've got some and they ride well, cheaper than the Chrono TT version. Don't feel as nice or as fast but a fair bit cheaper and still ride nicely, although a few more quid than the contis - [url=http://www.sdeals.com/oscommerce/product_info.php/cPath/22/products_id/213?osCsid=dfrq04akv6qhakdbtqecbj0c76]here[/url].

[carl f]

Thanks for your help Andrew, think i'll buy a couple of the conti's out and buy some tufo sealant to fix the tufo's. Might as well try it and use them for back up rather than chucking them away
Cheers

[carl f]

Oh one other thing,do you think the conti sprints will be as puncture proof as the vittoria corsa evo?
Thanks

[Andrew G]

I don't know what those new contis are like and only used the prevous version a few times on a spare wheel so not a fair test, but if the black chilli stuff makes them like 4000s tyres then they should be pretty good. I've been using the vittorias on sporting courses and they've held up well so far.

[carl f]

Ok,went for the Vittoria'cx in the end. I've just put it on the wheel without glue to stretch it for a day or so. I ordered the continental glue but have read somewhere on a forum that you shouldn't use conti glue with vittoria's is this true?.Any good advice on gluing tubs more than welcome please

[George]

Bring it round my place and I'll show you how to glue it Carl

[DavidKennett]

Have always used conti glue with CX tubs, never been a problem.

Best to put on old rims, inflate for a few days to stretch, then two coats of glue on rim and one on tub works fine.

If they're new rims best clean with some acetone, removes any residue left over

[carl f]

Thanks Chaps,George i may well take you up on that offer. I'm going to give it a go myself over the weekend(gotta learn somewhere!) but if i make a hash of it i'll come and see you if the offer is still there
One more Q,do you leave some time before each coat of glue?,i read some leave it for 24 hours between each coat
Thanks

[Jon H]

Tub tape is much quicker, easier and less messy than glue (although admittedly not as good for sniffing).