The divisive nature of Rule #29 is not to be underestimated. It is but a humble satchel, but our rejection of its use sends people completely out of their minds. One fine gentleman even threatened my editor at Cyclist Magazine with cancellation of his subscription on the basis that they published an article wherein I espoused the virtues of going EPMS-less. If I recall correctly, the reader felt my writing was, “a black eye on an otherwise flawless magazine.” Some people, it appears, really love their saddle bags.
Nevertheless, the truth remains: they are ugly and there is no need for one if you choose your tools carefully and maintain your bicycle appropriately. Granted, if you prefer an al fresco lunch mid-ride and therefore require room for a baguette, some brie, and a nice bottle of Burgundy, you may require more than a jersey pocket. Similarly, if you are of the mechanical inclination that requires you carry a press for on-the-road headset replacements, you might also require some additional storage. That said, if your mechanical skills are at a level that your bicycle is in such a state, I might argue that carrying a cell phone and an emergency contact list is really all you need because the tools are unlikely to help.
But I digress. Ugly though the EPMS may be, it is obviously perfectly acceptable to tie a spare tubular tire under your saddle. This is for the obvious and irrefutable reason that riding tubs is for the more cultured Velominatus and strapping a tire under the saddle is the traditional way the Europeans have handled carrying a spare tire ever since they stopped carrying them strapped over their shoulders. Do not allow yourself to be distracted by the fact that a European Posterior Tubular is often mistaken for an saddlebag. One is a nod to our heritage, the other an abomination sense and style. Trust me on this.
But carrying a spare tub does pose a challenge: how do you roll it up into a small enough package that it (a) doesn’t sway (b) doesn’t rub the insides of your pistoning guns and (c) doesn’t fall off and get tangled up in your wheel.
The first two are a matter of what style of tire to carry. The natural inclination is to carry a spare tire identical to the ones you are riding on your wheels, but that is likely to be a 23 or 25 mm tire and will be rather bulky when rolled up. Instead, the spare should be considered an emergency tire intended to get you safely through the rest of your ride; you’ll be pulling it off and gluing it on properly when you get home, so it can be chosen for its folding size and weight rather than to match it to the tires you normally ride. Then comes the question of how to roll it up into a tiny package which can be neatly strapped under the saddle (see photos). Finally – and I learned this the hard way – if the tire does come loose over some unusually rough roads (say, washboards on a high speed gravel descent), you will want it to stay in the small bundle rather than unwinding and getting tangled in your back wheel.
European Posterior Tubular Guidelines:
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/frank@velominati.com/Folding a Tub/”/]
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@Jay
Awesome did you get to visit The Barn?
@Haldy once you have a bike from one master it sure is tempting to ride the work of another isn't it?
How hard is it to glue tubulars, seriously? I'm tempted to take the leap, but don't want frustration to intrude on my rose-coloured cycling view.
How sticky is the glue when you carry a spare, pre-glued?
It'd be nice to be a lighter wheel, physically and rotationally.
@Nate
Very much so!!..I am blessed in the fact that I have worked within the industry for the past 20 years and have ridden a great many bikes built by the various masters. I was ecstatic the day that Sachs accepted my order since he has pretty much closed his books, and had the pleasure of having Pegoretti do a personal sizing at Interbike 2 years ago. Quite the experience, I had to "convince" him I was worthy of the model frame I wanted as he doesn't make many of them.
@Steve G it really isn't that difficult. Thin coats of glue on the rim and base tape at 12-24 hr intervals. Put the tire on, line it up, pump it up, leave it to set up overnight and away you go. The glue on the spare is pretty hard -- it is a contact cement -- and folded properly does not make a mess. Choose nice tires.
@Haldy
Very cool. Which peg is that? I have an older aluminum one I bring out for special occasions.
@Nate
He is building me a Big Leg Emma.
@The Grande Fondue
Yeah...Cam Meyer certainly looks a little bit better on them than I do...
Hmmm...that photo didnt work so well...let's try this one..
@Cogfather I've run tubeless ready rim, Ultegra wheel set, with Specialized tubeless Roubaix tires, w/o sealant. I got a flat. Fortunately 1) I was by myself so that no one would have had a laugh watching me try to get the damn tire back on the rim and 2) I was within walking distance of destination because I pinched the tube getting the damn tire on with an iron. I'm not a convert. And am riding my current HED + wheelsets, though tubeless ready, with tubes. With the wide rim bed at 25mm I can run lower pressures. Plus I can roll a tire off/on in seconds by hand to change a tube when flat.
Tubeless on the 29ers on the mtn bike most certainly. No ands, ifs, buts, or doubts. No brainer. Road bike? I don't see it.