6 of 15 customers found this review helpful.
Hello Folks!
Here are my adventures
I am restoring a soviet Start-Chauss (&1057,&1090,&1072,&1088,&1090,-&1064,&1086,&1089,&1089,&1077,) tubular racing bike, bought a month ago for 4,500 rub. ($150 USD) )))
It's a futuristic cutting-edge technology of late 50's, but the bike was made in about 1990
Advised by Jon Bryant of 70-ish feel of these tires, and hoping that the problems noted by LA Cyclist arouse after Vittoria moved production to a new site in Thailand and these problems were fixed by now, and being seduced by the price and retro yellow-black color, I bought three Vittoria Rally Tubulars 600-23.
IMPORTANT DISCOVERED FACTS (Series Number 09030954 3021)
1. Valve base is (heat) glued to the outer side of rubber tube. There is a 2mm mountain near the valve base. Therefore, in your rim MUST have inner hole for valve twice as large as the diameter of valve with its edges rounded. Otherwise, the tubular near the valve will fit with a gap and will be get cut shortly thereafter.
2. On retro Start-Chauss (&1057,&1090,&1072,&1088,&1090,-&1064,&1086,&1089,&1089,&1077,) rims After, I pump the Vittoria Rally Tubulars 600-23 above 40psi, 1mm gap starts forming between the tubular and edges of the rim. For one of two reasons
a. In good old days, thinnest soviet tubular was 24 mm width as opposed to the 23 mm tubular I was putting on.
b. Vittoria Rally has 2mm edge (bump) on most inner diameter, where it's sewed. It could be a design feature for tube stability on modern rims or for fitting rims designed for thinner tubulars. However, Start-Chauss (&1057,&1090,&1072,&1088,&1090,-&1064,&1086,&1089,&1089,&1077,) rim bed is perfectly round.
3. Twin Tread compound is harder in the middle for longer wear and softer on the shoulders for grip when cornering. Softer sides of Kevlar 3D compound does not seem as puncture resistant as in the center. I guess it is supposed to be an advantage for racing vittoria tubulars.
Vittoria Rally is a nice looking tire. I am only describing how it might not fit many retro rims.
Have Fun!
Nikolay.
Thank you for your feedback.