Tandem Cycling - Rolf Prima Vigor Tandem Wheels-Tubular/Clinchers

Is there any reason that you can't use tubular/clincher tires on the Prima Vigor wheels?

Not exactly sure what you mean. Prima Vigours (for tandem use at least) are all clincher rims, i.e. they have side walls that the tyre hooks into. Tubular rims don't have side walls, just a dip which the round cross section of the tubular tyre sits in. Therefore you can't use tubs on a clincher rim. If you want tubs you will need either a set of Lightweight (brand) wheels or to build yourself some from scratch.

There are some tyres I understand Tufo makes, which are tubulars but with a hook so that you can use them on a clincher rim to 'get the benefits of both'. However anyone with a history in cycling will tell you that Tufo products are not the way to go and that this idea has not caught on because it actually gives the disadvantages of both.

Just to confuse things further, Vittoria refers to its good clincher tyres as 'open tubulars'. They are actually clinchers - the marketing men want you to know that the tyre has the same tread and casing as a tubular but isn't stitched up and has 2 kevlar beads (i.e. almost completely different).

Tufo would also be a choice they have what they call tubular clinchers that are a tubular tire with a clincher bead added to the carcass. I have never tried Tufo's in any form so I can't tell you my opinion of them. There does seem to be a love/hate relationship with them.

I'm assuming the OP is talking about "open tubulars." There's no reason you couldn't fit Vittoria Open Corsa tires on Rolf Tandem wheels.

Finding them in a wide enough size to accomodate a tandem team (depending on team weight) could be an issue. They do appear to made in a 25mm width.

mrfish replied to what I was talking about. They are basically a tubular tire with a grooved lip on each side that rests on the lip of the rims. http://www.tufonorthamerica.com/whattype.php My wife and I have both ridden them in the past with no problems. Them feel more like a tubular than a clincher tire. We run a sealant in them that Tufo makes for tubulars for puncture sealing. The two downsides that I see with them is if a puncture is large enough, it wouldn't seal. Also, you would have to carry another tire as you would a tubular if you were on a longer ride for a spare instead of a spare tire.

I figured that the main advantage with the tandem is that you can run a smaller width tire with a much higher inflation as they do not stress the rim as a clincher. You can inflate them to various pressures from 175-200+ psi. Not that you need that high of a psi, but you can easily go over the 120psi that many rims/tires show as max inflation, therefore overcoming the tire "squat" with tandem weight on narrower tires. FYI-team weight is 315 lbs.

What is your goal and what type of events do you participate e.g. lower rolling resistance / time trials.

It will just be for recreational riding. I know they are not necessary, but more of a because I can. Yes, kind of going for a lower rolling resistance. I just wasn't familiar with the particular rims, but if the rim edge is the same as all others, the tubular/clinchers should fit fine. . . .

There are a number of threads on here about TUFO's. The data I recall seeing posted showed that they are very bad for rolling resistence.

They're heavy, particularly if you consider the extra weight of the replacement tire.

But if you like them, to each his own.

I've seen the Tufo tub/clinchers roll off a rim on a cross bike several times. and because of that I dont think I'd use them on a tandem. I don't think most people corner hard enough in normal circumstances to roll one, but in an emergency situation on a tandem I can imagine some bad sceanarios.

dan

It will just be for recreational riding. I know they are not necessary, but more of a because I can. Yes, kind of going for a lower rolling resistance. I just wasn't familiar with the particular rims, but if the rim edge is the same as all others, the tubular/clinchers should fit fine. . . .

If you are looking for lower rolling resistance, there are some good clincher choices and you can go with latex tubes. For tandems, I would put safety and strength of equipment before rolling resistance.

Bike Tech Review has numerous threads on rolling resistance and many racers swear by clinchers over tubulars. The debate rages on.

+1 on Hermes' comments

Tufo tubs are only comparable in rolling resistance to good ordinary clinchers if you pump them up to 150-180 psi. Trouble is that most rims are only rated to 140psi, so bye bye warranty / peace of mind. Then also consider comfort and grip. You and your stoker will notice the difference in comfort, plus a teeny tyre with hard rubber at 150psi doesn't grip like a 25mm Pro Race II. Final point is that Tufos are notorious for not gripping in the wet. Fine if you live in Arizona, but no good in the UK.

I would recommend 23mm or 25mm tyres such as Michelin Pro Race 2 or 3, Schwalbe Ultremo, Vittoria Corsa CX, Conti GP4000 or Force / Attack plus either latex michelin or conti supersonic inner tubes. Many people here ride these on fast road or competition tandems.