One of the things that strikes me most about the English is they don’t appear to have developed any sort of “inner dialog”. It seems anything that passes through the brain is parlayed directly to the tongue; if the thought being expressed is an insult to you, it will generally include a query for confirmation: “You’re not terribly clever, are you?” At least the English have developed the sophistication to keep their voices down which is a skill English children apparently don’t develop until adolescence. I recently spent some time on a small aircraft sitting opposite a young English girl who loudly narrated the progress of her camera’s zoom functionality which, due to the plane’s low cruising altitude, meant it was pointed out the window and in constant operation for the duration of the two-hour flight.
While I don’t consider myself a savage, I also don’t possess the dignity of soft speech; my voice carries as it is, let alone if I’m enthusiastic or angry, which between the two covers about 99.93% of my existance. I’m not sure why people place value on speaking quietly or, for that matter, having any sort of inner dialog. I think this is why I get on well with the English: I spend most of my life trying to sort out what the living beings around me are thinking; if they all had a readout on their forehead or spoke every thought that ever crossed their mind out loud, it would save me loads of time which would free me up for riding my bike.
Riding tubular tires is kind of like riding the tire equivalent of the English, except less cold. Riding tubular tires on deep-section rims is like riding the tire equivalent of English pre-adolescents. (I realized during proofing that I am getting dangerously close to pedaphile territory; this analogy isn’t as clever as it seems, is it? New paragraph, then.)
A well-made, hand-stitched tubular tire is a revelation to ride. The first time I rode tubs, it was aboard a set of Vredesteins which are excellent tires. I was immediately struck by how responsive they were, and how well they cornered. Then I rode a set of FMB Paris-Roubaixs and was struck by all those same things except they also felt like two cushions under my rims, carrying my smoothly from one imperfection to the next as I floated over the tarmac. The most striking thing was the sound: a hypnotic hum that brings the mind inexorably closer to becoming One with The V, the hum sooths and makes you more alert in equal measure; its pulsation reveals the smoothness or imperfections of your stroke with every revolution of the pedals. Clinchers can do much of the same, particularly when ridden with latex tubes, but nothing compares to a well-made tubular to sing the praises or holler the frailties of your stroke.
The Hum whispers to me when I’m climbing well; it shouts at me when I’m suffering worst (read: climbing badly), reminding me to stop pedalling squares and focus on the fluidity of the stroke. The more V is channeled into the pedals, the more difficult it becomes to achieve a Magnificent Stroke. It also hints that its easier to push round smoothly at a low cadence than it in in a high cadence; track racers who can turn round at 160rpm while delivering full power astound me.
The Hum has brought me closer to a Magnificent Stroke. It calls out when I stray, it soothes when I am near. I seek it, I embrace it. Always.
Vive la Vie Velominatus.
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@frank
The tubs we're talking about can survive Paris-Roubaix, which is a shit-ton nastier than anybody's commute.
I've used Pave EVO CGs for commuting for the last 2 seasons. The only flat I've had was the result of a skid that drove a nail through the tire's carcass. The application of some superglue and Pitstop got me rolling well enough to roll the remaining 7 miles to work and back.
Do it, you won't regret it. Just don't use teensy time-trial tires. Get something made for Pave and you'll be fine.
@markb
One place where clinchers will win every time is cost. At $100 a pop, good tubs are spendy, and couriers don't make that kind of dough.
@antihero
plus the cost of wheels/rims. there's quite a market in clincher wheels, a lot more limited in ones for tubs.
@Chris Fuck! That final photo gives me shivers. Just awesome.
@markb
There was an interesting article in Cyclist recently (could be issue 27 give or take one) about the two. The upshot was that with new technology and developments in tubeless the weight and pinch puncture resistant advantages of tubs will be overcome, however the fact that tubs are safer at the point of puncture because the tyre is glued to the rim is likely to keep them in the pro peloton for some time to come until some kind of roll flat secure clincher can be developed.
Having said that Tony Martin rides clinchers on his time trials and I suspect it will become a growing trend...
@Deakus
Yes, remember reading that. I don't doubt that tubs have their advantages, and certainly on the track they rule, just not sure if the average joe would be ok with them on the daily commute with the occasion of a flat.
Of course, in an ideal world we would all have enough wheels to switch over from clinchers to tubs at a whim, sadly I for one don't live in an ideal world. In fact I suppose I should be grateful I existing in any kind of world.
@markb
Ahhhh, but there you have it: We are not "the average Joe" on a bike, we're Velominati!!! THIS is the stuff that separates us from the masses.
@antihero
You don't live in Switzerland with baby's ass roads do you?
I am getting more and more convinced - at least enough to have a set of tubular wheels in the mix.
In Dublin it is usually glass on wet roads that causes punctures. Have had no probs with gator skins but for sure they are not the dogs bollocks for overall feel and performance.
@Buck Rogers
Point taken! On a very tenuous link to tubs,as they use them on the track; two youth members of my club, Fred Wright and Ethan Hayter, have been accepted into the UK's Olympic Development Programme. I shall do my best to ensure they adhere to The Rules!
Still no Carbone wheels for me but hey, at least I have a buddy with a few sets (Zipps, Reynolds, etc.) and when I ride with him I thoroughly enjoy the sound of the special pads on the carbon brake track.
Getting close to the time I need to swap out some tires. Mmmm, new Vittorias and Veloflex tires, nothing quite so nice to get ya through a cold winter...