another newbie wheel question

[dafishinsamoan]

Was hoping someone can explain the difference between klincher and tubular wheels. Also, any advice on a good set of training/racing wheels to put on my alum soloist, I want to get a second set in addition to my ritchie wheels, in case of malfunction before race or during training- i wont be without a bike for a few days or so.

mahalo

[Hawkear]

A clincher has a separate tire and tube. The tire "clinches" to the inside of the rim.

A tubular is a one piece tube that is glued on to the rim.

[cslone]

Clinchers have a separate tire and tube. Tubulars have a tube, encased in a tire, then sewn up so it is one piece. Tubulars, to do it right, require a few days of gluing before you mount them on the rim. The big thing used to be tubulars(I still run them on race wheels for whatever reason), but now a days, clinchers are very good and are generally the easiest option.

A good set of clincher tires/tubes can be had for $75 or less, whereas good tubulars are generally $75 each.

[dafishinsamoan]

thanks for the info.

[Woden2003]

I had the same question, and I understand that more people are using clinchers now, so then, what are the advantages of using tubulars at all. Also, if tubulars are so much more expensive, are they more durable too?

[Hawkear]

I had the same question, and I understand that more people are using clinchers now, so then, what are the advantages of using tubulars at all. Also, if tubulars are so much more expensive, are they more durable too?
Tubulars are generally lighter weight, which means easier to accelerate (i.e., speed!). I don't have a lot of experience with them, though. Searching the road cycling forum on this topic might prove to be fruitful.

[cslone]

I would say mine are a bit more durable although since I only race on them the roads tend to be smoother, hence less flats. There is a tire sealant that you can put in tubulars that will blow out the hole and keep your tire inflated in case of a small puncture. They do tend to be lighter. I like them becasue I only have to carry a tire instead of a tire and tube. If I flat in a race, I use a razor blade to cut the old tubular off and slap the pre-stretched, pre-glued tire on. It takes maybe 30 seconds if you're fast. It would take me at least 3X that to chance a clincher. Then once you change it, you have to worry about pinch flats with a clincher.

What it boils down to is prefrrence. I can't really say that one is better than the other. Tubulars just have that "cool factor". :D

[^*^BATMAN^*^]

I would say mine are a bit more durable although since I only race on them the roads tend to be smoother, hence less flats. There is a tire sealant that you can put in tubulars that will blow out the hole and keep your tire inflated in case of a small puncture. They do tend to be lighter. I like them becasue I only have to carry a tire instead of a tire and tube. If I flat in a race, I use a razor blade to cut the old tubular off and slap the pre-stretched, pre-glued tire on. It takes maybe 30 seconds if you're fast. It would take me at least 3X that to chance a clincher. Then once you change it, you have to worry about pinch flats with a clincher.

What it boils down to is prefrrence. I can't really say that one is better than the other. Tubulars just have that "cool factor". :D

Well, I train and race on clinchers(road, tri and mountain), and I only ever carry tubes. I have never had a need for another tire(come to think of it, I have never heard of that,).

With the pinch flats, that is super easy to avoid, just pinch the tire with the tube in it, partially inflated, all the way around, and make sure the tube is under the tire.

As for weight, you can definatly get clincher/tube combos that are lighter.

The slime tubes you are talking about, come in a tubular, or a tube(for clincher) version.

Other then the way you mount it, and the way you deal with fixing flats, they are VERY close to the same.



That being said, tubular wheels tend to be lighter, because they dont have an aluminum rim to allow the clincher tire to work.(then again, the weight there, isnt always a bad thing....though thats a LONG discusion I wont start here)

[cslone]

That's why they came up with folding tires. When you are self supported on an IM course, you should carry a spare tire with you too. X-lab actually makes an attachement to carry a folding tire with you. I have seen at least 5 people have to drop from a race because they only carried a tube with them and sliced or blew out a tire. I won't carry one on a sprint, but Oly or more, I carry a spare.
As far as weight the Veloflex Record Kevlar is the lightest clincher I know of at 132g with light tube is 190g. It's also $105 per tire. You can find light Tubulars in the 155g range for $80. It's not that big of a difference but the rims can save about another 1/2 lb though. I would bet you'd notice 3/4 lb off your wheels.
As far as pinch flats, you can say it all day long, but how many people do you know on here that have pinch flatted, or post, "I've flatted 5 times in 1 month.", only to find out it was something they are doing wrong? And I've seen some fast clincher tire changes, but never one as fast as a preglued, prestretched tubie.

Like I said in the previous post:

What it boils down to is prefrrence. I can't really say that one is better than the other. Tubulars just have that "cool factor". :D

[^*^BATMAN^*^]

Also though, I have noticed that tubular wheels can cost more then the clincher equivalent.