Are you a serious racer who wants a faster ride to win a triathlon race? Are you a cycling traditionalist and want to test your limit on rough paths with smoother experience?
Whatever the reason could be, one thing is common. You are a cycling enthusiast who understands the significance of mounting best tubular tires on your bicycle rims.
As you can tell, this could give you the marginal gain in the pedaling effort. It is possible due to less weight and lower rolling resistance aspects of tubular tires over regular models.
But getting the best tubular tires requires your time & effort. Since companies are trying to win consumers with exceptional materials and innovative technologies finding the right mix is getting tricky.
To help side apart your worries, today we have come with this idea to give you a piece of well-researched article aiming to dig dip about this.
Hence we are going to review our top 5 tubular tires comprehensively which could save you from the tedious selection process.
Additionally, we will briefly discuss other relevant information and buying guides at the end.
Top Tubular Tires Comparison 2020
Last update on 2020-08-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Tubular Tires Reviews 2020
Continental Competition Tubular Road Tire
Even if you are a novice cyclist you must have heard the name “Continental” when it comes to the bicycle tire thing.
Continental is a very popular brand among professional teams because of their handmade durable tires. And these tires ranges from everyday training to the high-end models.
This Continental Competition Tubular is quickest among our recommended list. They offer outstanding handling and rolling resistance capabilities.
So, anyone susceptible to puncture protection would be the ideal candidate for this tubular tire. Thanks to its unique Vectran Puncture Protection.
The quality of this tire is evident. Because it is not only a proven victorious on the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix but it is also the most dependable tire in the pro peloton.
BLACK CHILI- Compound
This tubular tire features a rubber filler materials tread. This is called the Black Chili Compound which reduces rolling resistance by 26% making it the fastest among tubular tires.
VECTRAN Protection
It has brought in innovation what is called Vectran puncture protection (matrix fibers made of Vectran) insert under the tread. This enhances the strength which can be compared with steel yet reducing its weight significantly. Being puncture resistant it retains rolling comfort quiet well.
Butyl Inner Tube
The tire has a thin butyl inner tube with a thickness of 0.4mm where the tread part has a total thickness of 2.5mm.
Tread Per Inch (TPI)
The casing comes with an excellent 3/180 TPI construction. This means each of the three layers includes 60 TPI which is a pretty decent average for a durable tire.
Tire Pressure
Although the recommended air pressure for this tire is 145 psi you can run at full inflation of 175 psi.
Tire Width
This tire is 25 mm on the width but it is compatible with 28 size rims.
Tire Weight
At a total weight of 215 grams only, it is one of the lightest tubular tires available.
PROS
CONS
Verdict
A solid tubular tire at a reasonable price to start a professional biking career. Looking at the weight and overall quality it produces, it is incomparable to other types of tubular tires.
Continental Sprinter Tubular Road Tire
This is a superior design from Continental that makes it incredibly fast and reliable for a quick race.
As with the name (Sprinter), this one is the best choice for your weekly criterium or circuit races in particular.
Its adhesive Black Chill Compound is exceptional in gripping and accelerating in fast 90 degree bends.
With the emerge of special anti-puncture nylon fabric this tire can easily last longer without much worry about replacing it soon.
BLACK CHILI- Feature
Much like what we have mentioned earlier The Black Chili Feature is what makes the Sprinter Tubular Tire sit amongst the fastest tires.
ASC Silica Technology
Continental uses the special ASC SIlica technology in its construction which significantly reduces its rolling resistance and offers excellent corning.
Anti Puncture Safety System
It is made of strong and closely woven nylon fabric with Kevlar reinforcing the protection against puncture and improving its lifespan.
Duraskin Side Wall
If you have to ever endure tough tests in a race like the Parus-Roubaix the Duraskin Side Wall protection will cover that. It allows your tubular tires to roll even in the harshest condition without wearing out.
Polyamide Casing
This consists of four layers of exclusive polyamide casing making it highly flexible while maintaining its longevity.
PROS
CONS
Verdict
If you are a serious racer but don’t want to spend an extra penny buying another training tubular tire, the exceptional abrasion resistant aspect of the subject tire can kill two birds with one stone for you.
Related Guide: Fixed Gear Bikes Under $1000
Continental 28” Road Bike Tyre Sprinter (Gatorskin)
This is another finest and faster tubular tire from Continental that worth having a seat in our recommended list.
Riding on this allround sprinter tire provides the typical comfortable tubular feels. This is due to its popular carbon black tread, and GatorSkin technology.
With its DuraSKin Side Wall protection and Polyamide layer, professional riders are able to utilize a combination of durability and lightness to conquer spring classics.
Duraskin Side Wall
Like we mentioned above it is another Sprinter Tubular from Continental with Duraskin Side Wall Protection. These duraskin fabrics give extra protection against cuts and limit the extent of damages.
GATORSKIN Casing
This tire casing is made from a carbon black tread mixture. This ensures robustness and increases comfort during training and road racing.
Safety System Breaker
Most like the previous one this road bike tire also features a puncture protection layer under the tread. It is the interwoven tough nylon with Kevlar insulation allowing this defense to go a step further.
Tread Per Inch (TPI)
This Sprinter Gatorskin model comes with 3/180 TPI casing which is the same as found on Sprinter Tubular tires.
Polyamide Layer
This Gatorskin Tubular has a thicker rubber polyamide coating that increases its resistance against puncture. Hence giving it the ability to last longer.
Tire Size
It is a regular model with a diameter of 28 inches and 22 mm on the width for the outer wheel.
PROS
CONS
Verdict
When you want to explore miles, but the fine tarmac doesn’t cover your streets, yet you want to unlock your tires, this is your tubular.
Tufo 700×24 S33 Pro Tubular Tire
If you need a tubular tire for your everyday training, Tufo 700×24 S33 Pro could be the best option for you in the book. Tufo uses unique tubeless tubular technology making them known for their extremely durable tires.
Due to the use of latex lining, you can ride at max air pressure without having to think about changing a flat tire on the road.
Carbon Black Compound
This training tubular tire has a carbon black tread compound and this helps enhance the quality of your riding.
Puncture Resistant
The puncture resistant ply makes it extremely reliable to withstand abuse.
Ranging Tire Pressure
The tire pressure ranges from 90 to 115 psi. However, it has the ability to produce a comfortable ride running below 90 psi.
Tread Per Inch (TPI)
This Tufo tubular tire provides 60 TPI construction on the casing and uses 90 TPI under the tread making it more durable than regular tires.
Tread Pattern
It comes with a fine colored tread pattern that grips the track securely and ensures low rolling resistance for a faster run.
Tire Width
The tire is 24 mm on the width but you can fit them on a 28 size rim.
Tire Weight
The total weight of the tire is 310 grams which if not the lightest, isn’t heavy at all.
PROS
CONS
Verdict
Best tubular tire for everyday training at affordable prices.
Tufo 700×21 C S33 Pro Tubular Clincher Tire
It is part of Tufo’s Tubular Clincher Tire Line which is a good contender when you need a sturdy yet lightweight tire for your training.
This is designed by integrating clincher tire features into a single product to cross the mark of being a conventional tubular tire. So you can mount this on a regular 28-inch clincher rim without any trouble.
While it is not the best racing tire riding on this feels great as it embraces high air pressure and hosts a perfect tread pattern.
Carbon Black Compound
Following our Tufo 700×24 S33 tubular tire review, this one also uses carbon black tread compound which helps repel wear and tear and improves your riding experiences.
Puncture Resistant
It also covers puncture-proof ply to withstand sharp edges. That’s why it is highly durable.
Clincher Line Feature
This tubular tire comes in an additional clincher line feature. Hence it integrates your tubular with a hooked strip on the casing allowing you to mount this tire on clincher rims.
Ranging Tire Pressure
This high inflation pressure tire accepts air ranges from 115 psi to a maximum of 175 psi. This explains why it is considered to be one of the best tubular tires for training and recreational race.
Tread Per Inch (TPI)
This Tufo tubular tire provides 60 TPI on the sidewall area and uses 90 TPI under the tread. This contributes toward its robustness which makes is better than normal tires.
Tread Pattern
Much like the previous one we reviewed, this tire has got a finely colored tread pattern to ensure better grip and quick running with low rolling resistance.
Tire Width
The tire is 21 mm on the width but mounts on a regular clincher rim. The narrower width helps elevate speed on harder surfaces.
Tire Weight
The total weight of the tire is 335 grams which is standard for a training tubular tire.
PROS
CONS
Verdict
This Tufo 700×21 C S33 model is an easy choice for recreational riders who want a great set of tubular tire to support their weekly training.
Tubular Vs. Clincher Tires: A Brief Overview
Bicycle tires mostly come in two types. They are known as the Clincher and Tubular tires.
Although they work differently and vary in their constructions often it is hard to tell as they look quite the same.
Unlike the Clincher, the casing of a tubular tire is sewn shut around the inner tube. This effectively means they work as a single piece to take on a tubular form as the name suggests.
Next, a tubular tire doesn’t feature an open part on the tire to clinch with the rim. So it is obvious that you won’t see any bread hooks attached to the sidewall. Instead, you have to rely on specially designed double-sided tape to fix the tire over the rim and stop them from moving around.
As opposed to clincher tires, tubular tires are not very common, especially among amateur cyclists. That said, you will find pro cyclists speak highly of these tires because of their added benefits.
But, what are the advantages of tubular tires over clincher tires?
Well, the issue of increased safety comes first as we talk about this. When you maneuver a wide range of terrains, there’s going to be the moment when flat will occur. If you run with a regular tire at a high-speed accident are the likely outcomes.
With tubular tires, however, you can still ride your bike safely as they won’t separate from the rim until the punctured wheel is changed. Having the tube sewn to the tire gives it the strength and makes it more durable. This also means the chances of pinch flat are reduced significantly.
Moreover, the closed system ensures air to escape slowly allowing them to operate at a different tire pressure.
The lightweight construction facilitates low rolling resistance. It makes riding on tubular tires feels smoother and faster. This coupled with their capacity on angular inertia are very handy to accelerate during a race.
If we take the downside, changing a tubular tire requires a lousy gluing job. However, with the advancement in rim tape and dedicated adhesive things are getting easier recently. Never guesswork though, because a poorly glued rim can result in a painful crash to end your racing career.
A few riders also seem to have issues with the cost which is slightly higher than traditional clincher tires. But looking at the benefits above, it is easier to justify why tubular tires worth the extra penny.
Tubular Tires Buying Guide
If you want to buy the best tubular tires you need to keep a few things in mind which might impact your buying decision. To help you decide we have come up with the following factors. Giving a quick look at these will mean you have little room for error.
Size
Determining the correct tire size is the first thing to consider. This really depends on the type of riding you are doing.
If you are looking for tubular tires for your training and rough roads, we recommend a bigger option (usually 25mm Tire Width and above).
They offer more traction in the corner, so it will be easier for your wheels to tackle obstacles. This also means you will get more stability at speeds.
If you want increased speed for racing on harder surfaces then narrower tires (less than 25mm tire width) are the perfect candidates.
However, the easiest way to tell the comfortable size is to try the wheel on the trials and pick what feels right for you. Usually, tire sizes and width are imprinted on the side of the tire.
Durability
You cannot overlook the importance of picking up a long lasting, puncture resistant tire for your bike. So, don’t hesitate to invest a few more bucks on tires that provide extra resistant Kevlar Reinforcement features.
Tread
Be sure to check the tread pattern because it is a crucial factor to consider. Usually, the tightly spaced tread will offer a better grip.
On the other hand, a broader tread pattern is durable meaning they are better at withstanding mud and abuse but will not provide the same grip.
For triathlon racing, you should choose a tire with chunky side knobs to get better at cornering.
Rubber Component
Tubular tires come with different softness. And, to measure the degree, a unit called durometer is often used. Usually, a tire with a durometer of 70 is more durable and faster.
Whereas the softer model often has a durometer less than 50. The softer component produces a better grip but tends to be a bit sticky and slow on the run.
You should look for durometer measures at 60 to provide you with the right combination of optimal performance and durability.
Weight
Since the tire moves more than any other part of a bike, shedding off a few pounds is particularly important for professional cyclists.
Wrapping Up
A good set of tire on your bike can make the difference between your memorable and awful race.
So, cost aside when it comes to quality rides and improving performance the hunt for the best tubular tires cannot be left out.
We hope the information provided in this article was of use to you in this respect.
Now, time to unleash your potential between the legs. In the end, that’s all that matters!