The Vitt Corsa sew-up's that I used to use occasionally never were very good for puncture resistance. I had flats on those fairly often. Nice tires, good ride & handling, etc., but if you just
looked at them they'd get a puncture. They're good if you're going to be on roads that you know will be pretty clear of debris.
Bike Tires Direct is a good place to buy tires from, I've bought many from them. But they don't have much selection in tubulars, mainly just the Conti's. The Comp's will ride somewhat harsher than the Corsa's that's for sure.
But the reason I recommended the Fortezza Pros is because I know their clinchers are one of the best rides on the market and they're excellent for not getting flats. I haven't used the tubular Vred's yet, but judging from how they're constructed, and my experience with Vred's clinchers, I'd be getting the FP's today if I still had tubular wheels. The only thing I would wish for is that they made them in a wider version like a 24c.
I'll put it this way: if the Fortezza Pro's are good enough for the Davitamon-Lotto team to ride in the top echelon races, (shown mounted below), then they're good enough for you and me.
Brakes-wise, I can't see spending the money on the Mavic's over say the Campy Centaur's unless you want to pay double the price to save about 2 oz. of weight for the set. That's non-rotating weight and is less than a sip of water. Centaur's can be had for about $100. or less, and they're excellent brakes with more than enough stopping power and modulation. I can say that, because that's what I'm using right now, and I've owned an all-Record group on a Litespeed frame in the past. I'm not saying anything bad about the Mavic's, but unless you're trying to build an uber-light bike, why pay twice as much just for 2 oz. less weight and no better braking performance?
Also as an aesthetics issue, the Centaur's come in "Century Grey" with white logos as an option which IMHO beats any other brake I've seen for looks. I wish I had bought them instead of the silver ones I have now. The grey is simply gorgeous compared to the "Ti" colored units or silver or black.
kjoel said:
more than anything as for cost, I want whatever it tales to make sure I have good brakes and good tires(that handle well and are resistant to cuts). thinking Mavic are the way to go for the brakes and maybe go trough Bike Tires Direct for the tires as they offer 60 day road hasard warranty for $5. figure even if I have to get new tires every 60 days, well worth it. the roads here are in horrible condition and full of glass, have gone through a pair of Vittoria Corsa CX tires(@ over $200/pair) in less than a month, so needless to day, I am not happy. hate to sacrifice ride quality, but it is necessary to some degree to be able to ride here, with road conditions what they are.
