There was never any question in my mind that tubulars are more romantic than clinchers, and as a Velominatus I was always convinced that the additional time and care that goes into gluing on a set of tires would make you feel just that much more connected to your bike and the history of the sport itself. I was skeptical, however, that tubs would ride noticeably better – and even if they did – whether they would prove to be too much of a hassle to make riding them worthwhile.
Two and a half years after building my first set of tubular wheels and gluing on a set of handmade tires, I have eliminated clinchers from all my bikes. The ride is better, the gluing is a quick and easy process (once you learn a few tricks), and a tubular can be changed more quickly than a clincher. Plus the glue gives you a little buzz; what’s not to like?
The switch from clinchers to tubulars did require a change to my tool kit, however. This fact wasn’t immediately apparent to me and I went on several rides happily armed with tire levers and a spare inner tube. Gearing up for riding tubulars is a more subtle process than it is with clinchers, a fact which gives me no small amount of pleasure. First comes the approach to folding and carrying the spare tire, should you choose to carry one. Also, with the removal of tire levers, spare tube(s), and patch kits comes the introduction of repair sealant; in the event of a flat, the first tactic is to inject the tire with some goop and see if it seals itself, eliminating the need to replace the tire in the first place. This works splendidly in many cases, and appears to be a long-term solution as well; I have one particularly beloved tire which has been holding fast with sealant since a puncture over a year ago.
After a few iterations, my tubular-friendly survival kit has evolved into a beautifully compact system which takes up less bulk in my jersey than does the clincher version. It consists of a Lezyne Carbon Drive Lite rubber-banded to a tube of Vittoria Pit Stop and a Lezyne V5 mini tool. Nothing to it. On longer rides or rides with others, I will strap my tiny tub to my saddle as extra protection in the event the Pit Stop doesn’t work.
Tubulars ride better, corner better, are easy to mount, quick to change, give you a small buzz, and require a smaller survival kit than do clinchers. You heard it here first: friends don’t let friends ride clinchers.*
*Thanks to @Nate for coining this phrase.
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The FMBs are my fatties. Nominally 27 but in reality more like 29? I also have FMB 25s and Veloflex 25s. Those are my go-tos. Finally I have the Schwalbe Ones back in action. I like them but their profile is pretty tall and narrow. I'd rather have a bit more girth on loose surfaces.
@Nate
What width on the Schwalbes? I see nominal sizes at 22/24/26/28.... dang, I may have to swallow hard and put out the big bucks for a set of 27 FMBs... gulp.... but if the sidewalls were pink it would make the swallowing easier:)
@teleguy57
My only complaint would be that the enormous tube-sac dangling off the back of your saddle significantly affects the overall clean aesthetic of your Hampsten.
And I'm not even going to start on that saddle (but damn I like that bike of yours)
@teleguy57 nominal 24. Overall a very very nice tire based on a couple hundred Kms of riding. Maybe the 26 or 28 are different.
This topic is timely, but possibly bad news for my bank account. After riding my entire cycling life with clinchers, I've been recently considered going with a set of tubs. A couple of questions for the more informed (or just more opinionated)...
I have a spare set of wheels - Chorus 10spd silver hubs with Open Pros - that have collected dust for the last 10 years. I always figured they would be my daily set for training rides, but once I put my Neutrons on my #1 they never came off. Should I keep as is and buy a new wheelset, or take the hubs and rebuild with tub rims? I hate to tear down a perfectly good set of wheels, but since I'm not using them it seems a waste. If rebuilding, I'm considering some Golden Tickets. Any others to consider?
@Nate
@DeKerr
Yup, I like it a whole lot. Hard to tell, but these are actually v1 and v2 vs two photos of the same bike. Steve H built me a second one this winter after we had some discussions about my fit and riding qualities. Someone else is loving the Berthoud-pictured bike after getting a sweet deal in one of Steve's yard sales.
And I agree with you; the aesthetic of the two-tubular bag is why it hasn't gone on the bike this season and I'm going with the Tubi on the bike and Stan's in the jersey pocket (although with my fat butt on the bike the bag is less distracting that as pictured..
Don't start on the saddle, because if you started riding one you might realize it works and be willing to deal with the semi-funkiness of the look. The aesthetics of the saddle are actually growing on me. Part of the issue is that the camera angle is really critical to whether it looks decent or strange, just like micro saddle tilt adjustments make it feel great or horrible. I am seeing more of them as people figure out they really can make a difference -- particularly for those of us who have gone through a lot of other models searching for the right fit.
But we all love tubulars!
@MangoDave
No.
Does that tick the more opinionated box?
@frank
There was some fairly hard packed gravel on the Monsal Trail section of yesterday's Manchester to London ride. 27mm Open Paves dealt with it as easily as they did with the really shitty rough tarmac in the hills behind Perpignan the week before last.
@MangoDave
There are not a lot of choices -- nemesis, Hed Belgium. Not sure if there is even anything else except rare NOS Mavic stuff.
@teleguy57 LBS suggested I demo an SMP. Right now I am trying out an Aliante. I like it. It violates that rule about padding, however.
@Chris
Ha! That might fit under the More Knowledgeable/Universal Truth box. My only reason to consider something else would be for the weight factor. Something like the Mavic Reflex is a fair amount lighter, and I don't anticipate flying over the cobbles of P-R anytime soon. I'm not too terribly heavy, at ~70kg, and tend not to destroy equipment.