I have been running GP5000’s (non-tubeless) with latex tubes on an older set of narrow zipp wheels. These felt great, but harsh at 95+psi. I have a bad back, I need all the comfort I can get.
I just bought a new set of Ican wheels that are tubeless compatible. I’m looking for tire suggestions. I want something that rolls well, feels supple, and has decent flat protection. I know, can’t really have it all. I was leaning towards GP5000 AS TL as these seem to fit the bill. They are PRICEY! My biggest concern is that I’ve read nothing but horror stories about mounting these. I’m not too worried about getting them mounted (I’m not new to tubeless setups, just on the tri bike), I’m more concerned about getting a flat in a race (I typically do long course races) and not being able to stuff a tube in to finish the race.
Curious what everyone else is running if you’re trying to run a tire that you both train and race on? FYI, I do most of my outside training on my road bike up until the last 6 weeks before race day and then I start doing the longer workouts on the tri bike, so not a ton of miles on this setup.
I don’t race on the re 5000 S TL’s but they are on my road bikes and I use to swap them in for training on my TT bike when I didn’t want to use a deep section front and rear disc. I was told I’m better to use them (the deep section & disc) on training for handling practice, so I don’t do that anymore though. But I’ve never had a p’ture with the Conti 5000 S TL’s on training (that I know of anyway) but I have (but rarely) had a hole that wouldn’t seal on my road bike and changing them has been no biggie even with my chemo weakened fingers. I couldn’t see my self wanting to go to AS tyres fiving 5000 S’s work for me. FWIW, I race on a Michelin Power front Clincher with Latex (as I read somewhere thats fastest (or at least it was), and a Tubeless Schwalbe Pro One (as that was all that was available at the lbs when I couldn’t get the now sold Vittoria Corsa Race to seat (the only tubeless tyre I’ve had a problem with). When the Schwalbe eventually wears out it’ll probably be replaced with a 5000 S TL.
That’s helpful. I guess I’m wondering if there are otpions from other brands out there that I should consider? I looked at the Spec. Turbo, local shop said that was a pretty thin race tire and didn’t recommend it.
Hi, I wouldn’t go away from the proven GP5000 series. Generally long life, fast, comfortable, and easy to source.
I had a whole paragraph on going tubeless at 25c or less, but you said you are not new to tubeless.
I love tubeless, but for my tri-bike, I have similar size constraints, I run the regular GP5000 tires and latex tubes (on tubeless ready clincher rims). They are cheaper than the tubeless variant, the latex tube rides softer, and the regular tire is way easier to replace a tube.
I would try to soften your ride in other ways, I would look at CeeGee replacement arm pads, they are thicker than normal arm pads. I would get a redshift stem, and I would also get a gel seat pad, they may look dorky, but its triathlon, it all looks dorky.
Thanks! You bring up some interesting points. I was running GP5000 25c tires with latex tubes on my older (very narrow) zipp 60 wheels. Admittedly, this setup was pretty nice and maybe not as harsh as I remember. I purchased the Ican and 50 wheels because they were wider and I thought going tubeless on a wide rim would be even better than latex? FYI, I run a tubeless 30c tire on my road bike and it’s VERY comfortable in comparison. You think latex will be more cushion/supple than tubeless?
Tubeless or Latex are about the same, I think it all comes down to air pressure in the tire, at 30c you can run a lot less pressure. At 25c, for me the Silica tire pressure calc says 95 PSI front and rear for latex or tubeless. Any thing less with a tube is looking for pinch flats, 95 PSI with tubeless is also a recipe for disaster.
I just don’t think you are going to find “comfortable” tires at 25c or smaller tubeless or not. You will get some aero gains from the wider rim, but IMO you are better off investing in comfort somewhere else, disc brake tribike so you can ride wider tires, or better bang for the buck soften the bike at the touch points.
I’m wanting to buy my first tri bike (for purely recreational/fun/personal-growth racing in sprint/oly triathlon), but I absolutely refuse to buy a frame that won’t fit tires at least 32mm wide. And I’d much prefer 35mm. All of my experience as a 100kg rider (down from 115kg) says wider is better: either faster or far more comfortable or both.
I hear you. I got my bike used for a heck of a deal, it still had stickers on it from the dealer! I only ride this thing outside a hand full of times building up to each race so it was hard to justify spending a bunch on it. However, a disk brake bike that could take wider tires would be a HUGE upgrade in the comfort arena.