User submitted reviews
Review by jerryellen
I use this tire for daily street riding and it works well. Its hard to find tubular sew ups that arent outrageous in price. Thanks for you great prices and excellent service.
Review by Jon Bryant
This tire feels just like the training tire (290 gram cottons) that everybody rode on during the week when I was racing in the 1970's.
The fact that it is actually cheaper - inflation adjusted - than back then is amazing.
If you have never ridden on tubulars, I highly recommend you try these, with one piece of advice during your ride, keep them clean by peridically putting your hand on them to avoid pounding a piece of glass through - a small price to pay for the very lively feel they afford.
As for the stories about a piece of glass cutting your finger when you knock it out of the tread, they are old wives tales.
Review by Anonymous
I was a little concerned when I bought these tires that they would just be a cheapcrappy tire that might last a month. I was WRONG!! For the price you pay, you CAN NOT beat these tires!!I've riding them HARD for three months and I love them!! When this set finally goes I'll be purchasing another set!
Review by LA Cyclist
Pros At 23mm width, it has a decently smooth ride at reasonable pressures. Can be opened, patched, resewn and remounted (unlike higher end tubulars with bonded tubes in the casing).
Cons Heavier tire. Poor total mileage. Valve core no removable (making use of sealant difficult).
I've ridden tubulars for 30 years, including plenty of Rallys. Unfortunately, their quality seems to have plummeted. The Rally isn't just a bad tire, but an expensive one and, in my opinion, ultimately dangerous. Fightin' words, perhaps, but this has been my experience.
I had two, 5-month old Rallys. When my previous rear tire wore thru the tread (a Tufo Hi-Comp Carbon that turned 2,500 miles without a flat), I decided to use the Rallys as temps until the front Tufo needed to be replaced. The first Rally turned 100 miles before the valve stem detached, an irreparable flat. The second Rally turned 40 miles before flatting. Using sealant on these tires is not an easy option as the valve core cannot be removed. To their credit, these tires can be unstitched, patched, and resewn, but it's a tedious job.
Unfortunately, the valve stem on the second tire had also detached, though not visibly. The cost of two (delivered) Rallys, glue & tape, sealant, etc. is $80.00. After 140 miles, that's $1.75 per mile. My previous tire, delivered, was $70.00. After 2,500 miles, that's $0.03 per mile. Further, I've never had a Rally last more than about 500 miles, while I've had plenty of expensive Tufos, Continentals, and Vittorias last 2,000 miles and more. Thus, a $30.00 Rally over 500 miles is 6 cents per mile, while an $80.00 Tufo, over 2,000 miles, is 4 cents per mile. While it's true that there are no sure things, do yourself a favor and spend money on good tires, there are plenty at BTD to choose from, and your wallet (and your backside) will thank you for it.
Finally, a tire that can't be easily repaired on the road, or be relied upon to perform even in a temporary capacity is simply - to me - a dangerous tire.
Review by Lindina Biker
I ride smooth paved roads. I have lots of experience with tubulars, which I generally prefer. I've gone through many expensive and inexpensive tires. I bought four of these on a trial. Two puctured the first time out, both on the rear wheel. I've never had such poor luck with any tire, tubular or clincher. To my experience, these things were Junk with a capital J.
Review by USCGGMDV
I have 3 sets of wheels, One of the nicest tires sets of the three wheels is the Michline Kryons, Then I put on my Carbons and for trainning with these Tires, and thats what stays on from spring thru fall. New England roads and back roads training ,,,TUBULARS RULE,,,,AT THESE PRICES do yourselfs a favor and put on tubulars and this tires, you'll never go back!!
Review by NewEnglandRider
I've bought quite a few of these over the years when I couldn't afford anything else, but I won't buy another. Rarely have I ever got more than two rides out of one of these without a flat, more often than not less than one. ANY debris on the road spells disaster for this tire -- twigs, acorns, small stones anything punches a hole in 'em. They ride and handle well, they are easy to mount, but just too fragile for everyday use.
Review by Buckeye Biker
For a tubular this is a great value. I ride everyday to work in spring, summer and early fall on this tire. I average 2 flats during this period, and I ride city and country roads. This tire is smooth and responsive. You can not beat the price.
Buy two!
Review by Anonymous
Excellent ride for economy tire. Get the 23c and don't over inflate. Glue at full pressure until dry.
Rides like higher end tire for the most part, good at everything except full on racing, even then it is likely faster than any clincher- regardless of what you read. Butyl tube so doesn't leak air if thats your gig. Probably the best tire in the low and mid price range. Note the
220tpi casing.
Review by Guerciotti
I've used Rally's for over 20 years .. both on my 30 year old vintage and modern road bikes. They are durable and cheap enough to replace after a puncture ... though you can easily repair the puncture if you have the time. I bought a pair for my carbon tubular wheels for my modern race bike as well.
Review by WhiteOut
Commute in Seattle area on wet roads, tire grip great on downhill switch back turns, good puncture resistance. Have been using this tire for years. Glass etc does cause punctures occasionally, but what tire can handle city roads in all weather year round?
Review by Anonymous
I was able to use slime which has held up but the flat was during a tri.
Review by AJ
I use these for weekly road trips.