Veloflex Corsa Evo TLR Tire Review

At a time when many manufacturers have evolved their tire models, it’s Veloflex’s turn to revisit its range to satisfy cyclists, whatever their practice and expectations. First test of the new Corsa Evo TLR, after just over 1000 km on the steep roads of Isère.

By David Polveroni – Photos: David Polveroni

Located in Presezzo in the province of Bergamo, like many manufacturers, Veloflex remains a small company with about ten employees. We are talking about craftsmanship here, with products made 100% by hand, and their primary goal is to offer exceptional products.

At a time when many firms boast about offering tires with very good performance tests (low rolling resistance), Veloflex had to review its ranges and evolve its rubber compound to match the competition for tires. But it should not be forgotten that the Italian company has long been talked about and remains a reference with tubulars offering truly exceptional road feel and comfort, so much so that many pro teams use their rebadged tubulars.

The new range consists of a race tire and a training or endurance tire, and above all, they are now available in a TLR, or Tubeless Ready, version, meaning a Tubeless that absolutely requires the addition of sealant to ensure its airtightness.

It is this latter version that holds our attention for the test, as it is THE big novelty since the offer is increasingly extensive with this technology.

Thus, what are called open tubulars (the name given to tubed tires by Veloflex) remain in the range and use the same rubber compound, as do the tubulars (named Pro Tour) which adopt this technology.

Range presentation

The Pro Tour Race (tubulars), Corsa Race TLR (Tubeless), and Corsa Evo Race (tubed tire) models offer a 350 TPI casing; they are lightweight (285 g, 225 g, and 200 g respectively in 25 mm) and truly intended for competition. Like the rest of the range, they now use the new rubber compound with SiO2 to guarantee the best grip properties and benefit from the lowest possible rolling resistance. The tubulars are always equipped with a latex inner tube.

These three models are also available in a version more suited for daily training and endurance with the Pro Tour / Corsa Evo and Corsa Evo TLR models.

It is this last model that we mounted on Black Inc. Fifty wheels, with an internal rim width of 17mm and an external width of 27mm. Once installed on the rim, we measured the Veloflex Corsa Evo TLR in 25mm at 24mm. After 1000 km, we observed no variation in width, but this, of course, remains to be verified over time.

The tire mounts easily by hand, and all that remains is to make it pop to ensure its perfect fit against the rim walls. A compressor is necessary, as attempting to do it with a floor pump is not conclusive. Then, sealant must be added, which is mandatory here because this tire is what is called a TLR, or Tubeless Ready. We use 50 ml of No Flat’s Joe for this purpose, as recommended by Veloflex. After thoroughly distributing the product by spinning the wheel several times, and two or three re-inflations, the pressure holds perfectly. We observe a pressure loss of only 0.5 bar in 24 hours.

All that’s left is to ride

For the first ride, we set 6 bar, the low pressure recommended by the manufacturer for our 54 kg and this 25 mm tire width. Very quickly, we went down to 5.5 bar at the front and 5.8 at the rear to maximize comfort. This is all the more interesting as with a Tubeless setup, we avoid any risk of pinch flats. This is really the point that immediately surprises when mounting these tires: the comfort!

Compared to the Continental GP 5000 and Hutchinson Fusion 5 tires we usually use, the cotton casing really adds a plus in terms of comfort and a lively feel. Moreover, the tubeless version enhances this sensation of riding on velvet and filtering vibrations on poor roads.

The grip is rather good, but we must admit we haven’t pushed the tires to their limits in this regard. On wet roads, by lowering the pressure by 0.5 bar and thanks to the new rubber compound, they offer good grip, unlike the brand’s older models which could sometimes be borderline, but also compared to the GP5000 which haven’t always given us the necessary confidence in the wet.

After 1000 km, sometimes on very small mountain roads, we haven’t detected any cuts or experienced any punctures, and the wear seems completely normal: non-existent at the front, and very slight at the rear. This is a matter to follow up on for a future article.

The price of €46 is far from excessive for this type of product. Note that the Race version is barely more expensive (€49), but is probably a little less durable. We are currently impressed by this Tubeless tire, which is attractive, easy to mount, comfortable, and generally offers very good sensations on the road.

VELOFLEX CORSA EVO TLR

Rating: *****Pros: comfort, responsiveness, grip, low rolling resistance, easy to mount
Cons: requires a compressor for final mountingTubeless Ready tire for racing or training – Casing 320 TPI (threads per inch) – Inextensible thread Zylon® Beads – Protection strip RKB – SPS sidewall protection system – Rubber tread with an exclusive natural rubber and silica compound – Weight: 225 g – Price: €46

Contact: veloflex.it

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