Sunday, January 10, 2010

Vredestein Fiammante DuoComp review and other stuff...

So, as we are beginning to get back into the swing of 2010, and at the request of what I assume is one of the many pastatrails readers (that's you, Carlos from Houston!)... a few quick thoughts on the performance of the Vredestein Fiammante DuoCompes that I installed a while ago.

Well... after about a month of use, I can state that... I like 'em. They have been ridden in what has been a very wet and windy Rome winter (a joke for some of you, but Siberian-like for us Southern Europeans!). The grip in wet and grimy conditions has been excellent. Absolutely no issues at all. They are holding up quite well (admittedly, I have yet to put a lot of kilometers on them) and I have had no flats, which is always positive.

Coming off cheap Vittorias (Rubinos) I must admit that they roll better (offhand I don't know the differences in TPIs though, so it is simply a sensation that I cannot back up with anything concrete). Ergo, I recommend them highly as a performance oriented training clincher. Although yesterday I did see a pair of the new Vittoria 320 TPI 'open tubulars'... oooohhhh.

On a separate note, I just received a set of Ciamillo Negative G brakes purchased slightly used from a fellow Weightweenies forum member. Ooooohhhhhh (yup, second time I say that in today's post)... beautiful.

And to prove just how light they are, I have added a picture. 192 grams (ok, without pads). Holy moly. Happy Pete... enjoy your riding!

The new arrival...

6 comments:

  1. Siberia??? It's snowed everday of 2010 including later this afternoon! MGF and I just got back from New York Last night. Snowmobiling in 3 feet of snow. It was beautiful. Though the quads are a bit sore. What's that tell us except someone hasn't dedicated themself to the Fortius as they promised :)

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  2. LOL Dave. Fair enough. On the Siberia quote and the training thing...

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  3. Thanks for taking the time to post the review Pete! Just realized they only come in 700 x 23...was wanting 25mm to ease the bumps on my hefty weight (245lbs).
    Anyhow...happy trails.
    Carlos.

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  4. Fair enough Carlos, you are right in that you should probably mount at least 25mm for comfort.

    All the best, Pietro

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  5. I was of course talking about my quads and lack of dedication thus far. I will ride tonight I will ride tonight I will ride....

    Ciao

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  6. I had these Vredestein's on my new Cervelo R3, and removed them after about 400km in favor of continental S4000's. Too many flats with these Vredestein Fiamante Duocomp tyres.

    Regards
    Erikvd

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