Scared of tubs!!

[Adam72]

Looking at a new bike,but it has tubs-are these a pain in the a*se or what? how easy to change when puncturing out on the road? Im reluctant to buy as i aint sure about them,clinchers are sooooo easy and convenient!!

[bigoldsideofham]

My take is they are ideal for a track bike OR a TT bike OR a bike used just for closed circuit racing (considering any punctures end your chances of a good placing or time anyway) BUT without support cars if you are using them on a training or sportive / general use bike they would be as you say a nightmare. So i personaly feel it depends on the use of the machine.

[bigoldsideofham]

Bugger i just did something io promised i never would - i 'pulled a harmon' and said 'machine'. Please all forgive me, i have sinned...

[Adam72]

Im kinda leaning towards clincers as most of my riding is sportive-although racing and TT are a distinct possibility next year - are tubs that much better,surely the difference must be negliable?

[Adam72]

Here's another question,if you do puncture on a tub,is it a complete tyre replacement?

[Eastway82]

Here's another question,if you do puncture on a tub,is it a complete tyre replacement?

If you mean, do you have to throw the tub away, then no, not necessarily. Usually they can be mended – either DIY or there are a couple of mail order services who'll fix them.
Sound like for your riding you'll be better off with clinchers. Tubs do have a marvellously zingy feel to them though – far nice IMHO than even the best clinchers. I'm going back to tubs for road racing next year, but will keep using clinchers for general use.

[bigoldsideofham]

There isnt a vast difference any more ,however, for TT bikes with deep section rims clincher wheelsets are quite a lot heavier in comparison. (there is another thread a bit further down where it is discussed in depth) Punctures can be fixed on tubs its just a bit of a big effort, those who are minted do tend to throw them but its expensive at £50 a hit. Top end clinchers are very nearly as good and cheaper plus easier to swap and maintain. For a general use bike you would probably be better off especially if this is near the start of your road biking career. All four of mine run on clinchers, although i have been window shopping for a TT bike and owing to the rim issue that will almost definately run on tubs(when i finally purchase it in the very distant future). There are other guys on here with far more experience than me who will be able to help you out with any more techical questions.

[newhero]

If you want to try a clincher that rides like a tub the Veloflex Pave is very good and not too expensive. It realy is a great tyre.

For closed circuit and hill climbs Veloflex do an even lighter tyre, the name of which escapes me, but it is prone to punctures.

[Adam72]

Thanks all,i think ive found a solution to my dillema,just buy the bike and keep the deep sections with tubs for racing/tt and buy a decent set of training wheels for general sportive,i take it i would need to change brakes when swapping wheels tho?

[bfergie]

Only if one rim is carbon and the other alloy.