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Veloflex Master Tyre Review27.01.2017

If fine, supple, light tyres are your thing then chances are you’ve at least heard of Veloflex. Many hold Veloflex tyres in high regard, and after spending the last month training and racing on their Master tyres I can understand why these tyres are held in such high regard.

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Veloflex Master 

Veloflex describe the Master as an “all-purpose open tubular”. Featuring tan sidewalls and a 320 TPI corespun casing, this tyre adds a real ‘classic’ look to most bikes. I tested the 700x25 version, which measured roughly 24mm on a 17c rim – quite narrow by today’s standards. Weight was almost bang on claimed, with my two tyres weighing 207g and 201g, giving an average weight of 204g.

Veloflex Master weights

Veloflex Master weights

When unboxing the first thing that struck me was just how supple and thin these tyres are. The bead isn’t very rigid, and when paired with a flexible casing you can fold this tyre up quite tightly. I doubt this effects the tyres performance, though. It’s just interesting to note because I could never fold tyres from Vittoria, Michelin or Continental this tight (and that’s including the Vittoria Open Corsa range).

Very flexible tyres

Out on the road the suppleness of these tyres was immediately obvious. When paired with latex tubes and a reasonable tyre pressure, these tyres gave an impression of ‘gliding’ along the road. Despite only measuring 24mm, these tyres give the comfort of a (lesser) tyre measuring 26mm but also the reactivity of a 23mm tyre. They’re a step above ‘regular’ tyres in terms of road feel.

Veloflex Master tyres are incredibly thin

You’re probably now expecting me to suggest these tyres offer terrible puncture protection but in fact the puncture protection has been more than adequate – it takes more than riding over glass to get a flat, in fact the only flats I’ve had so far have been pinch flats (I was experimenting with how little tyre pressure I could get away with).

I often find cornering grip can make or break good tyres, and these tyres certainly corner well. In the wet and dry the tyres offered good, predictable grip and feedback. They’re better than the (now superseded) Vittoria Open Corsa line, but not quite as good as a Michelin Pro 3 (or 4). Perhaps I feel more confident on the Michelin tyre because I’ve had more kilometres on them.

From what I’ve described, it appears these tyres would make the perfect race tyres, they’re light, supple, corner and roll well. However, if I were picking race tyres I would probably overlook these because I can get sturdier tyres that corner just as well, if not better. Yes, the Masters offer decent puncture protection, but I would prefer greater reliability in my (road) race tyres. I feel at club level the ‘speed’ difference between this tyre and say a Conti GP4000s or Michelin Pro 4 isn’t going to be the difference between winning and losing, but puncturing is. It’s for that reason that I would pitch these tyres solidly at those aiming to enjoy cycling, and don’t mind fixing the odd puncture. Or perhaps those who are willing to risk puncturing more often, for a marginal performance increase. Unfortunately, I prefer to finish my races, and usually the difference between winning and losing comes more down to race tactics, or training rather than my equipment.

Conclusion: Light, fast and supple tyres that offer decent puncture protection. Great for fast, long rides, but perhaps not my choice for a racing clincher.

Comments

  1. James Amy says:

    I race on veloflex tubulars, currently Criterium 23s, but the Masters and the all black equivelent Corsas are my go to tyre for summer riding and if I were to race on clinchers, this would be my only choice. Unfortunately getting harder and harder to find from UK retailers.

  2. David Mundow says:

    How hard are these to fit to tubeless ready rims like Velocity A23? I had a similar tyre from Veloflex a few years ago but box stated only for 14mm rims and I couldn’t for the life of me fit them to my A23 rims. Would love to try them again as used their Paris Roubaix tubs and they were awesome, grip, comfort etc. Sadly now sitting perished on a set of Campag Nucleons 🙁

    • istigatrice says:

      They aren’t too hard to fit. If you’re struggling perhaps when you get stuck, go around the rim where the tyre is already mounted and push both sides of the tyre into the centre of the rim. That might give you a bit more room to get the last bit of the tyre over the rim 🙂

  3. iDave says:

    I won’t own any other tires. Paired with latex tubes, the Masters make me feel like I’m riding over a glass surface while I’m riding a straight line, yet they grip exceedingly well in the corners. They are difficult to mount, though, especially on my carbon hoops.

    By the way, this review doesn’t mention that Veloflex recommends they not be used on carbon wheels, though the reason isn’t given. (The reason is supposedly that some carbon wheels have rough edges in the bead seat area. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know the bead seat area on my wheelset is smooth.)

  4. JL says:

    never had any major puncture problems with Veloflex. they ride better than any other tyre I have used and corner well. they probably wear a little quicker than say a Michelin or Conti.

  5. Jo says:

    Just received my 25’s . Weight 221 and 226 grs. Perhaps the construction has changed.

  6. Paul Williams says:

    I found these tyres by accident but what a revelation!!
    Teamed with my Campag Zondas it feels like I’m now riding on rails, the weight saving is a bonus!!
    I’d reccomend these for anyone wanting a great feeling tyre with good road feedback!! 😉

  7. peterlee says:

    Thank you for your review ( Veloflex Master Tyre )

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