Tubular Vrs Clincher

[biker77]

So I am thinking of making the switch to tubular tyres but have no experience riding them.

I see three main barriers to entry, gluing - PITA compared to clincher, flats -hassle of carrying spare tyre compared to a tube, and price of tyres - much more expensive than clinchers.

Benefits are ride quality and weight.

I am happy with my clincher tyres - Michelin Krylion. Why should I switch?

 

[JayKosta]

Since you are happy with your Michelin Krylion clinchers, keep using them and don't worry about it!

One of my bikes has tubulars - because I bought it a long time ago when there weren't any high performance clinchers.
I enjoy riding it, but the majority of my training & recreational riding is on other bikes with clinchers.
Primarily because the tubulars are a little less sturdy. I carry 2 spare tubs in a pouch under the seat held on with a toe strap.

Unless you are trying to win races, tubulars aren't worthwhile.
The ride quality is nicer, but not enough as the sole justification.
For non-race riding, sturdy clinchers on durable wheels is the way to go.

Some thoughts about tubulars -
1) Always mount a new tubular (unglued) on a spare clean rim to stretch it out.
Inflate the tire to pressure and let it sit for at least a day before carrying it as a spare or trying to glue it on a rim.
Some new tubulars can be VERY tight and difficult (almost impossible) to mount the first time.
If a new tub is reluctant to go on the rim, I wet the base tape with water to encourage it to stretch a little - this has worked fine for me with the tape still being glued securely to the case, and still a nice tight fit on the rim.

2) Glue is messy, but not a big deal if you are a DIY type of person.

3) Repairing flats in tubs is a real pain.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

So I am thinking of making the switch to tubular tyres but have no experience riding them.

I see three main barriers to entry, gluing - PITA compared to clincher, flats -hassle of carrying spare tyre compared to a tube, and price of tyres - much more expensive than clinchers.

Benefits are ride quality and weight.

I am happy with my clincher tyres - Michelin Krylion. Why should I switch?

Stick with your clinchers. If you think tubulars are a "PITA" you've already answered your own question. I trained and raced on tubulars for a solid six years and still use tubulars for gravel racing, the difference being I never looked at it in the same light as you. I find working on my bike to be relaxing and meditative, willing to put the work into something I love and have passion for.

Clincher tire and rim technology has come a long way in the last 20 years, nothing to be ashamed of....

 

[biker77]

Thanks for the replies.

I have never used or glued tubulars so the PITA comment is a perception. I am open to being converted if there are advantages

Seems like race day only is the advice....

 

[Notso Swift]

Ride them, like them and you will long for them!

But trying to "convince" people on the internet is usually futile!
I raced on them, trained on clinchers, I then got a new bike which was Campy so I need new wheels for that, build up the training wheels, choose tubs. (and converted the hub on my race wheels)

Still have my old bike as well (the one in my avatar), so it only has clinchers and my new bike has only Tubs, I am happy to ride my new bike all the time except for putrid conditions, but the tyres are not a factor in that, just because it is "my precious" LOL

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

Thanks for the replies.

I have never used or glued tubulars so the PITA comment is a perception. I am open to being converted if there are advantages

Seems like race day only is the advice....

So, just thinking about back to when I was riding tubulars daily. Safety over clinchers is #1 for me, if you've ever flatted a clincher at high speed you know the sensation of your life flashing before your eyes, because if you don't pull it together your going to end up skating on your rim and crashing, it's happened to me a couple times, I don't like it. Not a problem with tubulars, when it goes flat the entire casing basically wraps itself around the rim allowing you to safely brake to a stop, this has also happened to me, much easier on the mind when it happens. Or in Olano's case in the 1995 Worlds, you just keep going!!! I've also done this, and longer too, once rode 5 miles home on a rear flat tubular, no damage to the rim. Try doing that on a clincher.

Secondly, ability to run a wide range of tire pressures is far from equal when it comes to tubular vs. clincher. This is a big reason why the ride is so good, you can really dial in proper tire pressure for varying terrain and not worry about blowouts at high pressures or pinch flats at lower pressures, this is due to the fact that it's usually a latex tube inside the casing of a tubular, and that casing is almost perfectly round, no deformations as in a clincher system.

Though in the last few years the emergence of wider, lightweight clincher rims has really opened up the flood gates. Clincher tire tech is really good now too, not like 1988 when clincher tires had the ride consistency of a worn out garden hose! A 23mm wide clincher rim with a 23-25mm wide high quality race tire with a latex tube, 80psi front/90 rear is the closest you're going to get to the ride of a tubular with a clincher system.

 

[LongSprint]

What about tubeless?

Anyone tried tubeless tyres/tires? How do they compare with clinchers/tubs?

 

[Parera]

Anyone tried tubeless tyres/tires? How do they compare with clinchers/tubs?

Waste of time/effort/money. Tubeless road doesn't offer any benefits.

 

[richwagmn]

Stick with your clinchers. If you think tubulars are a "PITA" you've already answered your own question. I trained and raced on tubulars for a solid six years and still use tubulars for gravel racing, the difference being I never looked at it in the same light as you. I find working on my bike to be relaxing and meditative, willing to put the work into something I love and have passion for.

Clincher tire and rim technology has come a long way in the last 20 years, nothing to be ashamed of....

So I saw a few posts back that you while in MN you rode in the same area I live and ride in. Great place for cycling. Miles of paved shoulders, great scenery and some of the most varied terrain in the twin cities. I'm sure it pales compared to CO, but all in all, it's a pretty nice place to bike.

 

[Giuseppe Magnetico]

So I saw a few posts back that you while in MN you rode in the same area I live and ride in. Great place for cycling. Miles of paved shoulders, great scenery and some of the most varied terrain in the twin cities. I'm sure it pales compared to CO, but all in all, it's a pretty nice place to bike.

Yes, originally from White Bear Lake Minnesota, GO BEARS! Started road riding when I was 14 in 1986. Stomping grounds was the St. Croix River valley, very Belgian style terrain. Moved to Colorado on New Years Eve 2010. Yeah, the riding here is world class and there's a huge population of fast people out here, men and women. The one thing I do miss about riding in MN is accessibility of killer road rides, I had something like 20-30 different road loops right from my front door in MN, where I live in Denver I really only have 3 really good routes. Pretty much have to pack up the truck and either drive to Boulder, which addmittadly I haven't explored that much, this season I will, anywhere but Denver. My favorite road rides here have been South of Denver, between Castle Rock and Colorado Springs, Bijou Basin , Black Forest. Amazing stuff!!

Thanks for checking in on me Rich. Hope all is well in Trekland.