Classic & Vintage - Do Tubulars Normally Come with Glue?

I've been terrified of tubulars forever, but, my EG Bates has them, and one died (sidewall tore!), so now I have to take the plunge. I have a rim I can use for stretching, and I discovered that I can get a tubular pretty cheap (£7, it appears). So, rather than leave a gorgeous bike sitting, I'm going to change it, and I know there are lots of posts here on the process. My question is this: Does the glue come with the tyres, or must you purchase it seperately?

Purchase separately. I've seen data that shows the Vittoria product has the most effective adhesion. Haven't tried it yet though.

Glue does not usually come with the tubie. But there are those vendors who do sell a package deal with the glue. Warning...you get what you pay for with tubulars. I cannot see a £7 tire being very good. Check the Totally Tubular thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=154679) for a good education.

What are you getting for that price Sam? (My keyboard isn't set for the Pound symbol :()

I'd be getting a Vittoria Rally Folding Tubular Tyre. Bought from Wiggle (www.wiggle.co.uk). I can't work out how to link directly to that page, but you can find it under tyres.

I'd be getting a Vittoria Rally Folding Tubular Tyre. Bought from Wiggle (www.wiggle.co.uk). I can't work out how to link directly to that page, but you can find it under tyres.

I could not get your link to work at all. But searched and found it to be considered an acceptable training tire. If it works for you, that's all that counts. I just wanted to be sure you knew what you were getting for the price.

I could not get your link to work at all. But searched and found it to be considered an acceptable training tire. If it works for you, that's all that counts. I just wanted to be sure you knew what you were getting for the price.

I'm not sure I do, but there you go! On my cargo bike Raleigh, I run the cheapest 27 x 1 1/4 clinchers I can get (about £5) and they work fine for me. I wouldn't have tubulars on this bike at all if it had been my choice, but since they're there, I'm going to stick with them for now, and I hope that a cheap tubular will do. There's no way I'm going to spend £40 per tyre - I'd prefer to put that money towards building a new clincher wheelset!

Interestingly, Wiggle doesn't seem to stock the adhesive at all!

I think you'll find that tubulars are easier to live with if you use Tufo tape instead of glue.
These are held on with tape:
http://thumb9.webshots.net/t/59/659/7/36/88/2217736880068014369VNpklt_th.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2217736880068014369VNpklt)

just don't use the Regular Tufo tape. According to Tufo
the extreme tape is for road tires the regular tape is for
cyclocross only (and it creates a horrible mess atmo)

If you can find them Vittoria Nuovo Pro tires are very nice midpriced
tires, and they ride much better than their cost suggests.

marty

I think you'll find that tubulars are easier to live with if you use Tufo tape instead of glue.



YRMV :D

I'd be getting a Vittoria Rally Folding Tubular Tyre. Bought from Wiggle (www.wiggle.co.uk). I can't work out how to link directly to that page, but you can find it under tyres.


All tubulars are folding - that is to say they don't have a bead. Vitt Rallys are fine tires for everyday use.

I've never used Tufo tape but I like using regular glue just fine - Vittoria or Continental. For an everyday bike you won't need the monster-hold stuff. You might need special glue if you ride long descents with lots of braking, or on really hot pavement and you take corners like a criterium racer - otherwise it's just not that important.

Vittoria Rallys are decent tires for riding around. I have some, and I'm looking to get more the next time Nashbar or Performance puts them on sale.

I'd be getting a Vittoria Rally Folding Tubular Tyre. Bought from Wiggle (www.wiggle.co.uk). I can't work out how to link directly to that page, but you can find it under tyres.

I think the Vittoria Rally is a good tire, I have the 23 mm ones on my Masi, and it's a nice ride. You should have no problems, and you shouldn't need to stretch it.

I also like Vittoria cement. The glueing instructions on teh glue tube are also quite good.

The best procedure I've seen is in a US book, Zinn's Cycling Primer by Lennard Zinn, and also in teh Road Bike Maintenance Manual (or some similar title) by Zinn. He tells you how to keep from getting glue all over clothes. I don't know how to get it out, BTW. Plus the procedure gets a strong bond.

So I don't think you will go wrong with Vittoria, Vittoria, and Zinn.

Road Fan

I've been terrified of tubulars forever, but, my EG Bates has them, and one died (sidewall tore!), so now I have to take the plunge. I have a rim I can use for stretching, and I discovered that I can get a tubular pretty cheap (£7, it appears). So, rather than leave a gorgeous bike sitting, I'm going to change it, and I know there are lots of posts here on the process. My question is this: Does the glue come with the tyres, or must you purchase it seperately?

That 7 pound price is good! It's about $14 give or take, and I was happy to buy a pair of new Rallys on Ebay for around $30. Wiggle is your friend!

Road Fan

just don't use the Regular Tufo tape. According to Tufo
the extreme tape is for road tires the regular tape is for
cyclocross only (and it creates a horrible mess atmo)


I can attest to that!

I think the Vittoria Rally is a good tire, I have the 23 mm ones on my Masi, and it's a nice ride. You should have no problems, and you shouldn't need to stretch it.

I also like Vittoria cement.

I second this, the 23mm Rallys are good basic tire (tyre) avoid the 21mm units. The glue is good, I would buy the tin, much easier to use, brush in cap and much better value. Now, may I suggest buy two, put them both on and make the one good existing tire a spare. That way your spare will have some glue to help things along to secure the exchange tire at roadside.

I can attest to that!

How's that particular project coming along?

Marty