Tufo

TUFO was established in 1991, expanding on the decade's tradition of tubular tyre manufacture in the Czech Republic.

Basing their designs on the newest scientific knowledge and applying the most advanced materials at that time, a totally new concept in tubular tyre construction was born -The compact tubular!

With focus on the development and manufacture of tubular tyres as the best choice of tyre in the top cycling events, they have succeeded in achieving the highest parameters in compact tubular tyres.

Close co-operation with a number of World Champions and elite racers from all cycling disciplines has helped Tufo to put their theoretical knowledge into practice and manufacture tubular's that surpass the highest standards and increase the chances of winning medals...

Why Tufo Tyres?

Tyres must be light - unless you do not mind carrying extra weight and using more energy with each acceleration... Tufo produce the lightest racing tyres in the world...

Tyres must be durable - even though getting a flat every few miles can be exciting? Tufo tubulars are the most durable light weight option we have ever used. You can also add their excellent puncture sealant from new...

Tyres must have excellent adhesion - We don't consider falling down on every corner fun, and although Tufo tyres will take pressures of 220p.s.i! You'll corner as if you're on rails...

Tufo Production

Tufos main product is tubular tyres and tubular clincher tyres (Tubular tyres for clincher rims). The construction of both types is essentially the same, consisting of closed tubular toroid. The only difference is the meathead used to fit the tyre to the rim.



1. The base tape is made of cotton, which absorbs the glue evenly and results in an optimal bond between the rim and the tyre.

A. Tread - produced either with rubber compound of activated silica, silica, or carbon black (specified for each model).

B. Protective rubber ply - located underneath the tread, used to indicate tyre wear and to warn against the higher possibility of punctures when showing through the tread (only in specified models).

C. Puncture proof ply - made of rubber cord composite with the cord angle very close to the direction of the tire circumference. Decreases rolling resistance and increases power transfer (only in specified models).

D. The carcass plies are overlapped and joined underneath the tread, creating increased TPI (treads per inch) value and better tire puncture resistance.

E. The carcass consists of two layers of rubber cord composite with reverse bearing cord orientation in each layer, joined with natural rubber matrix strengthened with silica. The carcass TPI varies from 60 to 210 for different tire models.

F. Inside airtight layer is made of a special butyl-rubber compound. The very low air permeability of this layer means long intervals between tyre inflations. Solid bond between the airtight layer and the tyre carcass means lower rolling resistance.



2. The bead profile reinforcement of a tubular clincher tyre provides easy tire installation and prevents the tyre from unseating in extreme situations.

3. The bead profile itself copies the shape of the rim and after inflation provides a perfect joint between the two. This also protects the rim lips from damage.

How does a Tubular Clincher work?

When inflated, the tubular clincher, in the same way as a tubular tyre, is pressed towards the rim. Simultaneously, the bead blocks of the profiled rubber band spread out embedding on the rim shoulders eliminating any possibility of the tyre rotating against the rim, or the tyre unseating from the rim. The bottom profiled bead band does not function only as a filling in the area between the rim and the tyre but also plays an active role. As the tyre is inflated, the band sides literally "bite" into the rim shoulders.

This is the major difference between all the previous unsuccessful experiments of other tyre manufacturers, as the bottom rubber band was only a passive filling between the rim and the tyre.



The diagram above shows a Tubular clincher mounted to a rim before inflation, and after inflation.

The benefits of Tufo Tubular Clincher tyres:

• High inflation pressures - up to 15bars (220p.s.i) without any damage to the rim walls, even in cases where the rim manufacturer specifies lower inflation pressures, as the pressure is contained inside the tyre and does not affect the rim walls!
• The same riding quality as tubular tyres
• Safe handling in event of punctures, the stability of the rider is not affected
• In an emergency, the tyre can be ridden flat
• The fastest and easiest installation and dismantling without the use of tools