Tubular vs. Clincher – Triathlon Bikes, Road Bikes and Cyclocross
Filed under Triathlon Videos
ow.ly — Triathlon Training Series Ever wonder what the differences between a tubular and clincher bicycle tire was? Ever heard the guys and gals on training rides or at road races, cyclocross events and triathlons talk about the pros and cons? Still confused? See Ian Murray, host of “Triathlon Training Series” and USAT 2007 Developmental Coach of the Year, as he explains both types of tires, the advantages and disadvantages and makes his recommendations. He also talks about the glue and “sew ups”. At the end of the day the choice between tubular and clincher is solely up to you. Depending on the types of races you do: mountain bike racing, XTERRA, triathlons, Ironman distance races, etc ‘Tubular vs. Clincher’ is an excerpt from ‘Cycling for Triathletes’, Disc 3 in the “Triathlon Training Series” Volume 1. For more information, visit ow.ly
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For the uninformed novice, when the guy in the video says that the clinchers are lighter, one might believe that they are lighter than tubulars, which is no the case. What he means to say is that clinchers have gotten lighter over the years and are getting closer and more competitive to tubulars.
You want to win, buy the tubs as it is like being at another level, especially in the wet. They don’t compete at all.
The presenter is saying the clincher tires of today are lighter than they were in the past. He is not comparing them tubulars when he says this. New clincher tires can be had with Kevlar beads which are lighter than the old steel beaded clincher tires.
what if your tire doesnt have a lip’?
Gluing a tubular on the rim is actually pretty simple. I don’t know why folks make it out to be so tricky.
For anything other than track or crits, even the basic method of mounting the dry tire, then peeling it back and applying a correct glue (3m FastTack trim adhesive) works fine. Just leave it overnight.
Using it as a contact adhesive takes a little more time and skill, but means you can race it (triathlon) pretty much immediately.
I’ve never rolled a tire in >30 years road and track.
the problem with tubs is puncture resistance and changing them during a race situation. It’s been proven that modern clinchers have similar if not better rolling resistance than tubs & are more puncture resistant. If i was in the TDF I would run tubs because I would have a support car with wheels ready to swap out & the equivelent tub wheel is lighter than a clincher. However as an amateur racer i’d choose clincher every time.
Yeah, I agree. All the articles and videos and blogs make it out like it is rocket science or brain surgery (or both). You pre-setretch, then you apply glue to the rim, wait 5-10 minutes and stretch the tubular on. Very, very simple. I’ve raced road, crit, time trial, triathons, Hawaii Ironman — all over a 28 year period. Not one single tire roll, and very few flats. I do now have some clincher wheels as well, but prefer the lighter weight and the road feel of tubulars.
Appreciate all of the great dialogue on this. Train safely!
I still have yet to ride tubulars. They seems pretty cool, but don’t have any experience gluing them
dont you have to wait almost a week if you have a flat to ride again