 Short section is moulded into inner tube |
 320 TPI is Vittoria’s new top-end thread count |
New versions of old favourites were on display on the Vittoria tyre stand, where new carcass weights and materials promise a leap forward in performance. The CX version of the Corsa EVO race tyre, in both tubular and open clincher formats, gets a super-fine new 320 TPI (threads per inch) polycotton casing, compared to the 290TPI used previously and still found on other Corsa EVO models.
Expect considerably enhanced ride comfort and improved rolling resistance over what was already a highly-regarded tyre. It is introduced at the same time as the new PRB 2.0 puncture resistant belt, which employs a different aramid fibre and tighter weave over the old PRB belt to achieve a claimed 40% improvement in flat protection.
The Corsa Evo CX tubular also gets a novel valve concept, where a short threaded stub with sealing ring is all that is moulded to the inner tube. This allows Vittoria to offer valve stems in several different lengths to suit any rim depth, saving a few grammes over the traditional adaptor solution.
The tubular will be available in the usual ‘28inch’ size, with a choice of black or coloured tread in 21mm section and black only 23mm section. There is also a 26” option in 20mm section.
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Below the Corsas in Vittoria’s range sits the Diamante, which is built around a 220TPI Nylon casing. For ’09 it gets a revised casing with the same thread count and inherit the Corsa EVO’s new PRB 2.0 puncture resistant belt. Two new Diamante tyres make an appearance: the Pro Light has a ‘bead-to-bead’ full-slick all-black finish for a unique appearance and comes in 170g 700x23c and 185g 700x25c formats. The latter should make some sportive tyre…
Designed for severe weather conditions, the ProTech gets a heavily-siped tread with new wet-weather ‘Aquagrip’ compound, weighs 220g and will be available in 700x23c only. It also has Vittoria’s ‘Mithril’ sidewall protection.
