Hi,
Just curious if there are other riders using tubs in spring training, and how prevalent they are with riders doing the NYCC SIGs.
I really don't want to be the only one/pain in the ass/impractical ass etc. holding up the group.
Hoping to do the B-SIG this spring.
What do you think?
-Kevin
Tubular riders, NYCC?
Mon, 02/21/2005 - 9:24am
Mon, 02/21/2005 - 9:56am
#1
If the past two years is any guide, you'll be the only rider on tubulars.
That said, there shouldn't be a problem with you holding up the group; it should be faster to swap a tubie than to change a tube in a clincher. Obviously, you'll need to carry a spare, and you'd have to be careful on descents with the spare mounted, but other than that, you should be fine. There aren't really any alpine descents on the B-SIG...
Oh, all that assumes you're using glue, not Tufo tape. Rumor has it that Tufo tape makes swapping the tire real tough. I've never used the stuff.
Have you tried Andre Dugasts?
Oh yeah, and all the above assumes you're very competent with tubular replacement. That is, pulling your tubie and putting on the replacement shouldn't be some arduous task that makes the group wait. 5 minutes max, say.
- Christian
Mon, 02/21/2005 - 12:47pm
#2
Flat tire repairs on the B SIG can be rather leisurely, drawn out affairs (The inevitable result of new riders learning to change a flat, sometimes for the first time.) If you're comfortable and adept at swapping out a tubular, it shouldn't be a problem.
Tue, 02/22/2005 - 11:07am
#3
My advice: don't ride tubulars.
Way back in the ice ages, when I took the A-SIG, one fellow SIG participant (who shall remain nameless, even though I don't think he rides with the club anymore) rode on tubulars.
During the course of the SIG, the tire gods did not look on him kindly, and he flatted every week. He may have even had more than one flat on a single ride. There were numerous occasions mid-ride when he had to find a bike shop and purchase an expensive tubular tire. It was a pain in the neck, for him at least.
I think it would be a better investment to buy a clincher wheelset, instead of shelling money out on a tubular tires every week.
Also, you're riding the B-SIG, not a race, where every bit of rolling resistance counts.
Mon, 02/21/2005 - 2:31pm
#4
Help Yourself
The B-SIG leaders aren't likely to be able to help you change the tubular, whereas we're all quite capable and willing to help change the tube in a clincher (teaching as we go, of course, so the Siglet can change his/her own the next time).
Mon, 02/21/2005 - 4:07pm
#5
Why?
Why would you use tubulars on a B-SIG? Other than pinch flat resistance, I cannot think of a good reason. While changing a tubular won't be an big issue, suppose you get a second or even a third flat? With clinchers, somebody in the group will have an extra tube should one be required.
Mon, 02/21/2005 - 5:02pm
#6
I figured that maybe he only has a tubular wheelset, and wanted to know if he needed to buy a clincher wheelset.
That's the only reason I could think of.
Mon, 02/21/2005 - 5:05pm
#7
Agreed
Yes that's what I was thinking. You are correct too about the Tufo tape...
Mon, 02/21/2005 - 5:59pm
#8
Tufo Tape
Tape works great, but definately not a roadside fix if you flat.
Mon, 02/21/2005 - 9:37pm
#9
Yep, you're right, Christian, it's the only wheelset I've got. I have no preference either way, they're what came with the bike. I definitely didn't want to initiate the age-old clincher vs. tubular debate (what a bore, right?). I'm using glue on a Clement Strada tire.
Honestly, I don't have a lot of experience changing them on the road, but plan to get some pointers at the lbs and practice over the next couple of weeks.
Thank you, everybody, for your input.
Cheers, Kevin
(new to the sport)
Tue, 02/22/2005 - 6:31am
#10
Kevin,
If you've got something fairly standard (Shimano 7-8-9sp, Campy 9-10sp), the other option might be to borrow a clincher wheelset from someone. If you do decide tubulars are too much of a pain, that is.
I might be able to lend you a Shimano 9sp clincher wheelset for the B-SIG if that's what you need. Come talk to me at the self-classification ride.
- Christian
Tue, 02/22/2005 - 11:37am
#11
if you want an extra wheel/rim/tire to practice mounting and remounting let me know. for the SIG, i think you'd be happier with a clincher wheelset. i'm amazed how little older 8speed wheelsets go for on ebay.
Tue, 02/22/2005 - 7:29am
#12
Tufo Sealant
I would treat my tubulars with Tufo sealant.
Tue, 02/22/2005 - 7:54am
#13
Sealant
Do you use sealant on non-tufo tires?
Wed, 02/23/2005 - 11:14am
#14
Tufo Sealant
I don't see why not. The primary reason that Tufo suggests and sells sealnt is that Tufo tubulars are not sew-ups and the tube cannot be replaced.
I used my tubular wheelset (Reynolds Stratus DV) once on an NYCC ride and flatted in the Bronx after riding about 6 miles, although this becuase I was using TT tires. Thankfully, I was near a subway. I have seen a couple others ride full centuries on tubulars with no probems, but still, I would not recommnd so doing.
Wed, 02/23/2005 - 3:34pm
#15
Cold weather flat-fixing
"Given tubular isn't very widely used by B riders, you probably won't get much help from others if you do ended up having to change your tire.
So, SIG or not, you need to learn to change the tire by yourself anyway. Just assume you're riding alone, what would you do when you flatted?
The first half of the SIG is in March, which can be pretty cold. Whatever the ride leader say about flat-fixing being an ""leasurely affair"", I take it with a grain of salt for a cold day in the wind! I never did the B-SIG, but I rode with the ""bees"" a lot. The typical flat-fix is around 5 min. When it's under 40 degrees, 5 min. feels like half an hour. And every single min beyond that will NOT earn your any brownie points with your club-mates.
To make matters worse, spring is the time of year where there's a lot of debris on the road, making it the ""flat season""...
"
Wed, 02/23/2005 - 5:08pm
#16
flatting
You're right, it can be cold waiting for a flat to be fixed in 40-degree weather. Maybe it would be prudent to suggest that the leader leave one or two competent mechanical types to stay with the person who flatted, then take the group and double back for 5 minutes, reversing again and picking up the trio, that way everyone stays warm.
