Categories: Accessories and GearEtiquetteNostalgiaThe RulesTradition

European Posterior Tubular (EPTB)

EPMS." width="620" height="465" /> The European Posterior Tubular, tied on by a toe strap. This ain’t no EPMS.

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:

Find a light, 19mm tubular tire. I use one by TUFO; it has no inner tube so it is skinny and light and rolls up tight.
Pre-glue the tire and follow the below procedure to roll it up (photos).
Wrap an industrial strength rubber band around the tire. This will keep it in its rolled up bundle with or without a toe strap, meaning it will stay in said bundle even as it tumbles from your saddle.
Us a leather toe-clip strap and a leather toe-clip strap only to affix said tire to saddle. No pouches, not fabric straps. Make sure it is tight and secure the loose end of the strap.
Respond to all accusations of violating Rule #29 with a defiant but tempered disgust which subtly hints that the accuser is an unsophisticated clincher rider who doesn’t understand the greater nuances of our sport.

[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/frank@velominati.com/Folding a Tub/”/]

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

Ccos says:

May 20 2014 at 3:56 pm

@unversio

@frank

@Ccos

@Dr C

So has anyone actually changed a flatted tub on a ride? I have yet to try to strip a tub of a rim, but looking t the Zipp video, it looks like the sort of thing you can only do after a hearty breakfast on a sunny morning off

I have three sets of tubulars on the go, and a can of Zefal 100ml - if I flat on a club ride, my plan is to dive headfirst into a hedge and feign a neck injury - I live quite close to the local A+E, so reckon having made a spontaneous recovery en route, the ambulance drivers will drop me off at the house to save the paperwork

Otherwise I like your tyrigamy @Frank

Yep, tubulars were all we rode in the 80"²s. We didn't have EPMS's then: all you had was the tubi under the seat and a frame pump. It isn't as hard as you think to get that sucker off. Of course that was on aluminum rims so you could be as rough as you wanted.

That said, I have yet to pry the buggers off my cross wheelset and the Belgian tape is causing me some regret.

I've never needed any tool to get my tires off, but that doesn't appear to be universally true.

Cement (Schlauchreifenkitt) may have been better back then "” some sort of Golden Era.

Can you imagine how much more of a climbing badass LeMan would have been had he had the little girl arms of the modern pro?
Nate says:

May 20 2014 at 4:02 pm

@Cogfather

@Nate Very cool. I have several very old friends who live in that area. I'm in Sacto myself. Next time I go down to visit, I'll msg you & we can see if Gianni's right about you ripping my legs off!

For sure. We may have an East Bay Cogal before too long -- stay tuned for details.
Mikael Liddy says:

May 20 2014 at 4:57 pm

@frank

@Ccos

@Dr C

So has anyone actually changed a flatted tub on a ride? I have yet to try to strip a tub of a rim, but looking t the Zipp video, it looks like the sort of thing you can only do after a hearty breakfast on a sunny morning off

I have three sets of tubulars on the go, and a can of Zefal 100ml - if I flat on a club ride, my plan is to dive headfirst into a hedge and feign a neck injury - I live quite close to the local A+E, so reckon having made a spontaneous recovery en route, the ambulance drivers will drop me off at the house to save the paperwork

Otherwise I like your tyrigamy @Frank

Yep, tubulars were all we rode in the 80"²s. We didn't have EPMS's then: all you had was the tubi under the seat and a frame pump. It isn't as hard as you think to get that sucker off. Of course that was on aluminum rims so you could be as rough as you wanted.

That said, I have yet to pry the buggers off my cross wheelset and the Belgian tape is causing me some regret.

I've never needed any tool to get my tires off, but that doesn't appear to be universally true.

On the other hand though, he didn't need to worry about carrying a pump around to inflate the new tyre...

How to Fix a Flat from 9W magazine on Vimeo.
piwakawaka says:

May 20 2014 at 5:10 pm

So what's goin' on here? The world champ, racing with No.1 on the frame changing a tub? Is he so far up the road that not even neutral service can reach him? Cracking shot, sweat, veins popping, the Guns...
Nate says:

May 20 2014 at 5:27 pm

@piwakawaka Lemond punctured on the Marie Blanque on Stage 17 of the 1990 Tour.
The Grande Fondue says:

May 20 2014 at 5:33 pm

@wiscot

@pistard

@wiscot I think it's a track bike. Bars look like 3T Sphinx:

I believe you're right! Damn weird looking bars though . . .

They look good when the right person rides them. FU, UCI, who needs Spinachi bars when you have these:

Though that double curve thing... hmm.
Haldy says:

May 20 2014 at 5:56 pm

@therealpeel

@frank, I need to brush up on the difference of looking pro vs looking fantastic. My avid but not so detailed reading of previous post left the impression that they were basically the same thing.

@haldy @nsm500 and all others still on steel (and other alloys) thanks for preserving beauty.

You are quite welcome! I just Love, love, love how my steel bike sing to me...I cannot await the arrival of the Pegoretti and Richard Sachs I have on order!
Ccos says:

May 20 2014 at 6:00 pm

@unversio

@Cogfather

@Nate I've got to call bullshit on that dude.

We'll want a Rule established about calling each other "dude" "” dude.

There's always "Bubba" - Bubba.
G'rilla says:

May 20 2014 at 6:26 pm

@Haldy You plan ahead! Five year wait on one, 10 on the other?
Jay says:

May 20 2014 at 6:45 pm

First, I will repeat my position that a wedge pack is not a saddle bag.

Secondly, I have displaced my Roubaix with a Spectrum lugged steel frame. I can guarantee you that modern steel is light and performs. As an aside: I now ride Speedplay pedals after reading a Reverence post and trying them out... Possibly the best cleat/pedal system ever.