Classic & Vintage - Question about Clement tubulars

Hello fellows,

I was looking over a pair of older NOS tubular Clements at one of the local shops recently - not being too familiar with the extent of tubular tires, I was rather surprised to see that the tire had no base tape, nor did it have a sewed section either; rather, the bottom section appeared to be a solid piece of black rubber which appeared to be molded with the rest of the tire (I could be wrong, but I didn't look that close), with a small square edge indentation at each side where it met the skinwall (which looked more like the pinkish gumwalls used on the old Michelin Hi-Lite tires then a skinwall). I don't know if the tire had been inflated partially or not, but it was holding a perfect round shape and felt rather rigid - probably settling?

That said, the design caught my eye more then anything else (more then the Clement name, really), mainly as it looked as if one could put it on with less mess then a typical tubular tire, though the novelty does seem questionable if the tube isn't accessible.

Figured I'd buzz about here to soak up some more of the Old Guard's knowledge - tubulars are not something I am well acquainted to (I've glued one, that's all).

-Kurt

That was a model of Clement that was a "tubular clincher", it could be used on a tubular or clincher rim. Although I've only ever come across them on tubular rims.

It's not the typical construction of vintage Clements in gerneral.

Interesting. It did not look as if it would have enough area to grab on a clincher. Might try them out...

-Kurt

Made for mixte rims?
I have some Clement Paris-Roubaix tires that have no base tape, at least not until I
send them out to Tire Alert to replace them :lol:

Marty

There was also a model called CF2001 or something similar that was more similar to Tufo tubulars and that came with a special repair kit that allowed one to repair minor holes externally. The ridges did allow for perfect fitting every time but also made them far less compliant than other tubulars as they made the carcass much stiffer.

PS - I'm not interested in selling this bike and\or my
Clements so please no PMs on that subject. Thanks.

But we're going to break down your door insisting on photographs ;)

-Kurt

Hi,
.
While we're on the subject of Clement tubulars, I've a
question about deterioration. I've got a set on a '72
Schwinn Paramount P13 (Clement Criterium Seta Extra) that
were probably mounted by my father-in-law in the '70s or
maybe in the early '90s just before giving the bike to me.
They have no tread wear as the bike had been unridden until
I got it and I ride it rarely because it is a bit too small.
.
Over the years, some of the outer-layer side-wall material
(silk?) has separated and come unstuck. It's just a few bits
and pieces here and there on both tires. Both tires hold
air and I've ridden them this way without a problem. But
are they still safe to ride in this condition?
.
I ride the bike so rarely that I hate to change them out
for a new pair if the same fate awaits them. I know I should
at least reglue them after all these years but I have put
that off too for the same reason and also because when I do
ride them, I'm careful not to stress them in ways (eg.
cornering hard and fast) that would risk roll-off.
.
So that's it. Are they safe to ride with those bits of
material fraying out from the sides?
.
PS - I'm not interested in selling this bike and\or my
Clements so please no PMs on that subject. Thanks.
.

You need a product called "Tire Life", which is a type of liquid latex. You can brush this on the sidewalls to protect the threads. Try Yellow Jersey to purchase a can.

Regluing the tires to rims would be in order as well.

I've ridden older tubulars a lot and it's a judgement call. If the sidewalls are not frayed badly and they are properly glued there's usually no issues with high end tubulars from the 70's or 80's.

You need a product called "Tire Life", which is a type of liquid latex. You can brush this on the sidewalls to protect the threads. Try Yellow Jersey to purchase a can.

Regluing the tires to rims would be in order as well.

I've ridden older tubulars a lot and it's a judgement call. If the sidewalls are not frayed badly and they are properly glued there's usually no issues with high end tubulars from the 70's or 80's.

+1 to everything Otis said, he was quicker off the mark than me!!!

Can't see them on this end - did you upload them, or embed them from your server space?

-Kurt

You make me feel too modern - the most C&V computer I have around here is an IBM 380XD:

http://www.tietokonemuseo.net/koneita/ibmtp380xd2.jpg

As for your Paramount... :love: :love: :love: :love:.

I see Campagnolo sidepulls without a drop bolt, so I assume your frame was built for 700C's, with 700C's presently on it. What tires are you running?

-Kurt

How many Campagnolo components do you want to bet that you're mistaken? That laptop came from a trash pile (and in some ways, I prefer it to my HP ZE5300 which I use occasionally).

Those Clements are sew-ups, I imagine?

-Kurt

P.S.: This is what I use, generally:

http://www.jaysmarine.com/coolermaster_case.jpg

Not C&V, I know, but it does the trick (and is a hell of a lot easier to work in then most other cases).