Tubular or Clincher....final decision needed!!!!
Discussion
I have been buying the parts for my Colnago build over the course of the last few months. It ground to a halt when I discovered Alligator iLinks do not fit Dura Ace 9000 levers. Eventually I returned the iLinks, switched to Jagwire Elite Links but had to wait for the gear link kit to come back in stock. I now have all the parts for the build but am having a wobble over my wheel choice!!!
I bought a pair of Zipp 303 Tubulars a few months ago, I bought them for lightness, no pinch flats and supposed better ride etc etc, all the things we all read about them....however I have never ridden Tubulars so you may say a tad impulsive.
Now the time has come to get the bike built up I have started to think about the possibility of flats, replacement of tyres and so on. I do not race but, for me, I have gone to town on the spec and fancied Tubs to finish it but now a little unsure. There might be a possibility to get the wheels exchanged for clinchers or even sell them (although they are brand new, boxed and never even been on a bike, but Fleabay have coincidentally sent me a 75% off Final Vale Fees offer this morning).
Obviously I have read all about the sealants out there Stans and Tufo Extreme. Tufo extreme in particular seems to get great reviews even if you are not using Tufo tyres.
The bike will be used on nice days/as much as possible with our weather (so of course that means not until Spring next year now). Am I worrying about things too much, or are clinchers ultimately better for a non racer?
Thanks in advance
I bought a pair of Zipp 303 Tubulars a few months ago, I bought them for lightness, no pinch flats and supposed better ride etc etc, all the things we all read about them....however I have never ridden Tubulars so you may say a tad impulsive.
Now the time has come to get the bike built up I have started to think about the possibility of flats, replacement of tyres and so on. I do not race but, for me, I have gone to town on the spec and fancied Tubs to finish it but now a little unsure. There might be a possibility to get the wheels exchanged for clinchers or even sell them (although they are brand new, boxed and never even been on a bike, but Fleabay have coincidentally sent me a 75% off Final Vale Fees offer this morning).
Obviously I have read all about the sealants out there Stans and Tufo Extreme. Tufo extreme in particular seems to get great reviews even if you are not using Tufo tyres.
The bike will be used on nice days/as much as possible with our weather (so of course that means not until Spring next year now). Am I worrying about things too much, or are clinchers ultimately better for a non racer?
Thanks in advance
Edited by BlueNGT on Sunday 8th November 11:00
You're going to hate this, but it depends.
Tubulars are less hassle than clinchers in some cases- Continental tyres on Pacenti rims, as a for instance, caused a friend of mine to have to a) get a cab home and then b) cut the tyres off the rims as he couldn't get them off with a tyre lever and a lot of swearing.
That's due to the shallowness of the rim well on modern semi-tubeless ready rims, but then you won't want to run old fashioned, narrower rims on a nice bike.
The only real problem with tubs is that people are scared of them, and don't want to do the minor prep that's required - you will need to pre-glue a spare if you want belt and braces ride readiness, which takes maybe five minutes - but you can't not do it, or pick up a pre-glued tub in a bike shop as you can an inner tube.
In the US I'd use Orange Seal sealant, in Europe Bontrager TLR - I've put 6,000 miles on one pair of tubs, commuting 20 miles/day in London, I'd see the odd white star of sealant on a tyre every now and again that told me I'd had a puncture on the ride - but that's the only sign I ever had that something had gone through the tyre.
Keep the tubular 303's and get a pair of clinchers for training use I reckon. Then sell the clinchers when you realise you don't use them.
Tubulars are less hassle than clinchers in some cases- Continental tyres on Pacenti rims, as a for instance, caused a friend of mine to have to a) get a cab home and then b) cut the tyres off the rims as he couldn't get them off with a tyre lever and a lot of swearing.
That's due to the shallowness of the rim well on modern semi-tubeless ready rims, but then you won't want to run old fashioned, narrower rims on a nice bike.
The only real problem with tubs is that people are scared of them, and don't want to do the minor prep that's required - you will need to pre-glue a spare if you want belt and braces ride readiness, which takes maybe five minutes - but you can't not do it, or pick up a pre-glued tub in a bike shop as you can an inner tube.
In the US I'd use Orange Seal sealant, in Europe Bontrager TLR - I've put 6,000 miles on one pair of tubs, commuting 20 miles/day in London, I'd see the odd white star of sealant on a tyre every now and again that told me I'd had a puncture on the ride - but that's the only sign I ever had that something had gone through the tyre.
Keep the tubular 303's and get a pair of clinchers for training use I reckon. Then sell the clinchers when you realise you don't use them.
Wouldn't presume to offer any advice, as I've only used conventional clinchers, but I noticed you don't include tubeless clinchers as a choice. Are they something you considered and dismissed?
On the face of it they promise to offer the same advantages as a tub of no pinch punctures, and also have sealant to combat most small hole punctures. And it would be easy to pop in a tube if you run over something that creates a hole too large for the sealant. Lower rolling resistance is touted by the manufacturers, too. The new Schwalbe Pro One is getting very good reviews. Just wondering if there's a downside I haven't thought of, beyond the need to add new sealant every couple of months.
On the face of it they promise to offer the same advantages as a tub of no pinch punctures, and also have sealant to combat most small hole punctures. And it would be easy to pop in a tube if you run over something that creates a hole too large for the sealant. Lower rolling resistance is touted by the manufacturers, too. The new Schwalbe Pro One is getting very good reviews. Just wondering if there's a downside I haven't thought of, beyond the need to add new sealant every couple of months.
I have also had the issue of really really tight fitting clinchers resulting in lots of swearing and the huge desire through the wheel into a field!!
Luckily I have my old faithful Giant T-mobile with Mavic Cosmic Elite clinchers for winter/poor weather.
Reading the magic ability of the sealants I have some scepticism that it can be that good but the scenario you describe is repeated over and over again.
Luckily I have my old faithful Giant T-mobile with Mavic Cosmic Elite clinchers for winter/poor weather.
Reading the magic ability of the sealants I have some scepticism that it can be that good but the scenario you describe is repeated over and over again.
I have run some tubs for >5000km. I was a little worried about the hassle but in practice has been fine. I usually only travel with Tufo Extreme sealant, if I am going longer I take a pre-glued Tufo tub. This folds up almost as small as an inner tube and goes in my back pocket.
I have had one puncture and swapped the tubs over in same time it would have taken me to change the inner tube. If you do go tub route don't be scared of the glue, the tape while easy to put on makes a real mess, the glue is straightforward with a brush. Only problem I had is Conti tubs seem to be very tight so I pre-stretch them, others have been fine
I have had one puncture and swapped the tubs over in same time it would have taken me to change the inner tube. If you do go tub route don't be scared of the glue, the tape while easy to put on makes a real mess, the glue is straightforward with a brush. Only problem I had is Conti tubs seem to be very tight so I pre-stretch them, others have been fine
Feeling a bit more positive now. I really want to run the Tubs so think I'll stick to them.
I have a pair of Conti Competition already so will pre-stretch.
The replacing a punctured tyre issue isn't an issue for me, have to throw out Clincher tyres in the past due to slashes from glass. So the cost of a Conti 4000 and inner is not that different from a replacement Tub so that argument is mulled in my eyes.
I have a pair of Conti Competition already so will pre-stretch.
The replacing a punctured tyre issue isn't an issue for me, have to throw out Clincher tyres in the past due to slashes from glass. So the cost of a Conti 4000 and inner is not that different from a replacement Tub so that argument is mulled in my eyes.
By coincidence this popped up on facebook today, http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/tubs-vs...
Given it sounds like you won't be riding that bike in s
te weather I cannot see an issue with tubs.
The only annoyance I have with mine (enve) is the changing of brake blocks when I go from training wheels to race but you may not have that issue. The other issue I suppose is that I've never pre sealed the tyres, I am thinking of using the TLR stuff mentioned above as it would help with peace of mind when racing. For that reason I've used pretty robust tubs which likely take some of the advantage away, I used competitions with good effect for a while but they to cut easy. I've now got a gatorskin sprinter on the back and a vredestien fortezza on the front - mainly as I blew the rear vred on a pothole, it's can happen so don't rule out pinch flats entirely.
te weather I cannot see an issue with tubs. The only annoyance I have with mine (enve) is the changing of brake blocks when I go from training wheels to race but you may not have that issue. The other issue I suppose is that I've never pre sealed the tyres, I am thinking of using the TLR stuff mentioned above as it would help with peace of mind when racing. For that reason I've used pretty robust tubs which likely take some of the advantage away, I used competitions with good effect for a while but they to cut easy. I've now got a gatorskin sprinter on the back and a vredestien fortezza on the front - mainly as I blew the rear vred on a pothole, it's can happen so don't rule out pinch flats entirely.
I'd consider Tubeless clinchers if I were you. Zero faff once they are set up, no pinch puncture and very low chance of thorn punctures too as the sealant usually sorts it out without you even noticing. The ride quality is superb too.
However, if you go down the tubular route, get a tub that is designed for training and not racing as they will have extra puncture protection.
Also, think about if you are willing to carry a spare tub as in my experience the pressurised canisters with sealant do not work. If you carry a spare tub, do you know how to replace one?
Potentially a major faff if you do puncture, but I will admit, with a good tub the chances are slim unless you live in an area with lots of thorn hedges.
Tubular
Pros: Potentially lightest, supposedly best ride quality but the gap is coming down, harder (but not impossible) to pinch puncture.
Cons: Biggest faff to replace if/when you puncture.
Clincher tubeless
Pros: Can't pinch puncture, less chance of thorn puncture, superb ride.
Cons: probably the heaviest all things being equal, if you do puncture you need to remove anything like a thorn that has come through the tyre, specific tyres and rims needed
Clincher tubes:
Pros: Simplest to replace, least faff to set up.
Cons: Can pinch puncture, can get thorn punctures, worst road feel, most rolling resistance.
However, if you go down the tubular route, get a tub that is designed for training and not racing as they will have extra puncture protection.
Also, think about if you are willing to carry a spare tub as in my experience the pressurised canisters with sealant do not work. If you carry a spare tub, do you know how to replace one?
Potentially a major faff if you do puncture, but I will admit, with a good tub the chances are slim unless you live in an area with lots of thorn hedges.
Tubular
Pros: Potentially lightest, supposedly best ride quality but the gap is coming down, harder (but not impossible) to pinch puncture.
Cons: Biggest faff to replace if/when you puncture.
Clincher tubeless
Pros: Can't pinch puncture, less chance of thorn puncture, superb ride.
Cons: probably the heaviest all things being equal, if you do puncture you need to remove anything like a thorn that has come through the tyre, specific tyres and rims needed
Clincher tubes:
Pros: Simplest to replace, least faff to set up.
Cons: Can pinch puncture, can get thorn punctures, worst road feel, most rolling resistance.
BlueNGT said:
Think I would consider Tubeless if there were more rim options. Maybe in a few years time!
What Tubular tyre is a happy medium of nice ride but not so easily cut?
I have some Conti Competition at the moment but they haven't been used so can return to Wiggle and get refund easily.
Plenty of tubeless rim choices out there now, more coming on the market all the time.What Tubular tyre is a happy medium of nice ride but not so easily cut?
I have some Conti Competition at the moment but they haven't been used so can return to Wiggle and get refund easily.
Conti Gatorskin, GP4000, Vitoria Pave or maybe Schwalbe One would be a better all-rounder.
If you go down the tubular route, maybe think about a set of cheaper training wheels as well with tubeless/clinchers.
matt-ITR said:
BlueNGT said:
Think I would consider Tubeless if there were more rim options. Maybe in a few years time!
What Tubular tyre is a happy medium of nice ride but not so easily cut?
I have some Conti Competition at the moment but they haven't been used so can return to Wiggle and get refund easily.
Plenty of tubeless rim choices out there now, more coming on the market all the time.What Tubular tyre is a happy medium of nice ride but not so easily cut?
I have some Conti Competition at the moment but they haven't been used so can return to Wiggle and get refund easily.
Conti Gatorskin, GP4000, Vitoria Pave or maybe Schwalbe One would be a better all-rounder.
If you go down the tubular route, maybe think about a set of cheaper training wheels as well with tubeless/clinchers.
Personally I like tape, rather than glue; if the spare tyre I'm carrying has been fitted before then between it and the rim there will be enough stick to do the job.
I don't run sealant in mine - I would if I did more miles, but as it stands I've had as many flats from faulty valves as I have from punctures - and I carry a Tufo as a spare as they seem to fold up much smaller than the Contis.
I don't run sealant in mine - I would if I did more miles, but as it stands I've had as many flats from faulty valves as I have from punctures - and I carry a Tufo as a spare as they seem to fold up much smaller than the Contis.
IroningMan said:
Personally I like tape, rather than glue; if the spare tyre I'm carrying has been fitted before then between it and the rim there will be enough stick to do the job.
I've just stuck a set of cyclocross tubs down with the new effetto mariposa carogna tape. It is getting good reviews and so much less faff that the normal glueing procedure.
Two people I ride with had Zipps/Tubs and both have been left stranded on club rides during the last year. They have since sold the Zipps and bought clinchers. Tubs are great if you race or have a team car with spare wheels following you. Not convinced about tubeless on road bikes.
Edited by paulmon on Monday 9th November 06:37
paulmon said:
Two people I ride with had Zipps/Tubs and both have been left stranded on club rides during the last year. They have since sold the Zipps and bought clinchers. Tubs are great if you race or have a team car with spare wheels following you. Not convinced about tubeless on road bikes.
Suppose the difficult thing with this scenario is we all know something like this. I myself have been stranded on a Clincher, had a spare inner but a side wall split on a Vittoria Clincher meant game over for that ride and had to phone home to get collected....far from ideal but risk of cycling I guess.Edited by paulmon on Monday 9th November 06:37
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