VeloflexCriterium Tubular Road Tire(Return to Product Page)

The name says it all, but to be clear it is designed as a race specific tire.

I rate performance and reliability over cost or perceived value for money. For that reason I have rated it as 'Awesome' 5 Star, but only 'Good Deal' 4 star for value. For the last nine years I have only raced TUBULAR TIRES and on average I race 2-4 times a week sometimes up to 6 or 7 (80-150 miles) mainly Criteriums and Raod and occasionally MTB's so, I go through a few tires racing and training (100-250 miles). For regular 'vanilla flavor' club races the Veloflex Criterium and Extreme are my first choice for Crits, Kermese and road races. Hill climbs, championships and other important races I use the Veloflex RECORD. The above mentioned are now my only choices for the front tire. I have used many brands and differing models in their respective ranges, however I rate these as by far the best race performance tires I have used.

Low rolling resistance and outright speed they are the best I have used and how they stick to the road in dry or wet conditions is truly amazing, seemingly sticking to the road better than the rim as I once (during a race) peeled the rear tire off the rim jamming it in the brake caliper. I have never used glue since!

Depending on the event I use other Veloflex Tubular tires like the larger CarbonArenbergVlaanderen on the rear. I am not married to Veloflex as I also use (Hutchinson's for MTB), the Conti Competition and Vittoria Pave on the rear sometimes for bad road conditions and the Conti Gators and 4000s predominantly for training although it may not be long before Veloflex are the only TUBULARs I use.

I seem to be blessed when it comes to punctures, about 5 in total racing and only 1 or 2 a year training and usually only in wet conditions. Tire pressure is very important and 160lbs I vary between 90-130psi rear and about 10psi less front depending on the roadtrack surface and weather conditions.

Varying between 3 race bikes and 5 race wheelsets I'm guessing I get up to 4000 miles per front tire and about half that on the rear. IMHO the manufacturing quality is good, however the speed, grip, ride quality and confidence inspiring performance is what sets these tires a level above the rest.

I switched to Veloflex Criteriums because I can race them on different types of Velodrome tracks. Some are cement and others wood and these tires work well on any surface and last a long time. Good grip and supple a great all around race tire.