This has probably been brought up before, but for my education as one who has only ever used clinchers, what is the protocol for fixing punctures on tubulars? I have been told by an establised industry figure that you simply put a new tyre on - no glue necessary as the pressure holds it on the rim. Is this really true? Won't it come off on hard corner?
Many thanks
The advantage of tubs is that you can pump them up to a much higher pressure, fine on a track but not so good on bumpy British back roads.
Replacing a tub on the go is just a case of putting a new one on. The fun starts when you get home and you have to un stitsh the tyre and fix the puncture in the inner tube.
They do have to be glued or taped on.
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or
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And once replaced on the road you need to ride carefully until you can get home and stick them on with fresh glue/tape as they can roll off the rim.
Italians only make stuff for other people to fix.
Hmm. So correct me if I am wrong, but if riding a gran fondo on tubulars I then get a puncture, I need to replace the tubular with a spare I am carrying, and ride slowly for the rest of the day? If I go too quickly, it rolls off the rim, with predictable consequences. Glueing would not be practical as it takes an hour to dry.
The tubular could be then repaired or binned?
On the face of it, tubulars do not seem such a good idea for a long event then?
If your tub was stuck to the rim with glue (rather than tub tape) there will be remnants of glue on the rim which will help hold it in place.
Dont take a new tub as a spare. Take a part worn one (with remnants of glue obviously on the inside of the tub). Carry it folded (glue inward) neatly, strapped under the saddle. Put something round it to stop the toe strap chafing it - causes blow outs.
You still have to ride slightly carefully. As you are riding if you start to feel a "bumping", stop and check it. The tub will have moved round a bit and the slant of the valve makes the tub bulge out. Just part deflate, move into place and pump up.
You can unstitch and repair tubs. Only unstitch the minimum amount of casing in the right place. Take care when sewing back up, not to sew the inner tube to the case. Also sew an overlap to the repaired area to make sure you dont leave a gap in the stitching which might cause a blow out.
Re your Fondo. If this were your big event for the year, you would have fitted new tubs or be intending to ride on tubs in good condition. The chances of a puncture are slim.
You can ride pretty quick on a replaced tub if it and the rim has a bit of glue on.
If you puncture on a descent, tubs are better, easier and safer to handle than clinchers, which have more chance going straight to riding on the rim or even coming off and getting tangled up.
"TODAY, WE RIDE"
I suppose this is a related question.....
i have been using an old gp4 rim with a new ish michelin tub with my turbo trainer, despite it getting alot of good long work outs, it never wears, never gets hot, it'll last forever! unlike a normal clincher. i wonder why?
Tubular's rule!
This is very helpful, thanks. I am considering a new bike for next year and welcome the advice re; wheels. So to summarize, tubulars would be the way to go. Would you recommend glue or that sticky tape? I have heard talk of slime filled air canisters being used with tubulars to fix on an event. Anyone had experience of those?
Appreciate your time guys.
I'll wager you will soon get sick of tubs. The performance difference between them and clinchers has largely disappeared and unless you are racing at a high level they are just not worth the bother. You can get away a bit quicker after a puncture as a tub is faster than a tube to replace, but then you spend the rest of the ride praying you don't get another. I also defy anyone to ride with their normal abandon knowing your front tyre may not be too secre on the rim after a roadside change.
When Michelin Highlites came out in the eighties my tubs went in the bin and have stayed there ever since. If I rode everywhere with a teamcar behind me with a rack full of spare wheels I would go back to them, but not any other way.
Nobody ever got laid because they rode Shimano.
Many pro teams now use clinchers. If you want up to the minute tyre technology, you could consider tubeless tyres.
I'm with Joe on this one, my Conti clinchers on Mavic wheels can be removed in seconds without tools, put in a new tube and you're off in a couple of minutes, no worries!! Why not practice swapping inner tubes to get it down to a fine art.
Out of this world and into www.kirkcowancycles.co.uk !!
With Joe and bfergie as well used tubs many Summers ago,can be messy
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