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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@MangoDave
Just an observation; weight has less to do with destroying your gear so much as having some finesse on the bike. People much lighter than me destroy things much more quickly than I do.
@MangoDave
I've not ridden the Kinlins, just built a set for a friend for cross and he's very happy with them. A little heavy, but they build up nicely.
It must be a sign.
I was taking the racing wheels off yesterday and putting the training wheels back on. I race on Carbon Tubbies, and train on carbon/alloy clinchers and was annoyed at the fact I have to keep changing pads. A solution is to train AND race on carbon tubbies! I could train on carbon clinchers but I've not yet fully warmed to the idea. Now, who's got a set of carbon tubbies they want to sell me?
@frank
Monsal gravel......cue @frank "The gravel would be more meaningful with some bikes on the gravel, git".
@Sowtondevil
Are you still riding those Fiamme? I have them on The Butler with a spare set too.
@EBruner
Wow, my first view of a new LeMond in the wild. The Campagnolo is the icing on the cake. Well done! I liked my steel/carbon spine LeMond a lot.
@frank
Steve is one class act. Tuning the fit was pretty incremental and secondary to tuning the ride, but we worked together on both.
You do know he's in Seattle, right? I would think you'd pay him a visit, just in the name of great experiences and research in your leadership role for this band o brothers (and sisters).
Thanks. Both are Enve road forks. Stems have come and gone as I've tweaked position. Neither stem pictured is on the current bike:)
@EBruner
What an incredible bike! WOW! Nice job folding the tub nice and small.
@teleguy57 frank really ought to get himself a Hampsten shouldn't he?
@EBruner echoing frank and teleguy: awesome. More pix please!