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/”/]
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
@PT
Isn't that the point of this place?
@asyax
Will do! I can't wait either!
@asyax
Will do! I can't wait either!
@antihero
I am fortunate enough to be employed within the industry so I have access to beautiful, beautiful bikes..at less than full pop! So I very much embrace Rule 12.
@Nate
Crumpton would be a good choice for sure. I also have a Parlee on the list. A shop I ran dealt Parlee bikes and I got to take a tour of the Parlee factory and talk with Bob Parlee himself for a day. We did up a worksheet of my dream bike from them while I was there so I could see thier process. All I need to do is call...and spend.. :-)
Since I have a steel and ti Seven..the 622 carbon bike( with Ti lugs) is also a very tempting choice.
A lot of steel talk, so I thought I'd share one of mine.
My poor photography skills don't do this understated, but slick, paint job justice. Here is my Casati Laser 75th anniversary steed. Finally decided my position was set and cut the fork steerer. Despite having a few nice bikes, this one is my favorite to ride. Columbus Genius tubeset. Had the good fortune to meet the Casati folks/family at the NAHBS in Charlotte earlier this year. Pretty cool to meet Gianni Casati's son. Nothing too fancy, but everything is good, solid parts and the ride quality is superb.
*Yes, the Open Pro rims are mismatched. Not my choice, not my decision. Got a deal on them and despite it formerly having pissed me off, I've let it go, found peace with it. Open Pros to Record hubs, not going to pull them apart for a rebuild until I have an issue with them.
@Haldy
Nice. The more one thinks about it, the longer the list will get.
@Ron Nice. Maybe a photo against a less busy background?
Ha, Nate...but I don't have a garage, nor a garage door! Okay, I'll see if I can grab one tonight.
I'm a little late to party, but BEST POST EVER! (This may not be the first time I've said that)
And timely too. The one concern I had about Looking Fantastic during last Saturday's race was the bulky spare sticking out of my jersey pocket. Oh, and getting spit out the back of the peloton was slightly concerning too.
@frank
Ahh, now it makes sense, love his approach to a rest day, great shot.