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Why is it vintage tubular rims are so damn cheap?

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Why is it vintage tubular rims are so damn cheap?

Old 03-21-07, 12:55 PM
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Why is it vintage tubular rims are so damn cheap?

Is it simply because clinchers are easier and less expensive to deal with? I am trying to sell a mint set or rims/campy hubs and nobody is paying a lick of attention to them. I see low prices on NOS tubulars all the time. It seems so tempting to start buying hoops and learning to build wheels on old light tubulars.
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Old 03-21-07, 01:30 PM
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Some go cheap, some go for a bunch. But yes, the cheap ones do go cheap because not many people ride tubulars, and if they do they are either a racer which means they want new stuff or they retro grouch vintage guys who want the top notch gear which drives up some of the prices.
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Old 03-21-07, 01:33 PM
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Because people are sissy's.
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Old 03-21-07, 01:36 PM
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Tubular rims are so cheap because even decent sew-up tires are SOOO expensive!

Not to mention a PITA to fix a flat!

Buuuut..., pump those puppies up to 130 psi and they "coast uphill"!

So build a "cheap" set and try 'em! You'll probably like 'em!
 
Old 03-21-07, 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Otis
Because people are sissy's.


weeeell, there's THAT!
 
Old 03-21-07, 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by SoreFeet
Is it simply because clinchers are easier and less expensive to deal with? I am trying to sell a mint set or rims/campy hubs and nobody is paying a lick of attention to them. I see low prices on NOS tubulars all the time. It seems so tempting to start buying hoops and learning to build wheels on old light tubulars.
Where is the sale?
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Old 03-21-07, 02:04 PM
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If the wheels in question are from your Peugeot, it is of no surprise. "later 80's Campagnolo" that is not C Record, gets little attention in the price dept, yet. You purchased the bike hoping to part it out and make money on it, otherwise why worry about the prices? Not all investments are good. A lesson here, know the market, buy your size, that way at least you can ride it.
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Old 03-21-07, 03:11 PM
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I didn't think these were all that cheap ..................

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...2806&rd=1&rd=1
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Old 03-21-07, 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Otis
Because people are sissy's.
As well as being lazy bastards, too stupid to learn a new skill, and more than a few are sheep - they just gotta ride what everyone else is riding, or slavishly follow the advice of all those folks who know all the horror stories about tubs - but have never ridden them themselves.

This weekend, I'm finally going to take the Fuji out with the Bontraeger 700c clincher wheels, in place of the Ultrgra/Mavic tubular wheels I originally built for the bike. All this time, 700c clinchers have been the last remaining piece of modern technology that I've yet to adopt.

Should be interesting . . . . .
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Old 03-21-07, 05:43 PM
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looking at a pair of hubs, looking at a pair of NOS GP-4's ...... sitting.....so ..... light ....

an evil voice whispers, "take the plunge......"
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Old 03-21-07, 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by waytoomanybikes
I didn't think these were all that cheap ..................

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...2806&rd=1&rd=1
Those are indeed not cheap. Other vintage NOS rims fetch quite a bit, Martanos I have seen top $400. a pair on occasion, Scheeren rims also can gather hefty bids. Sometimes it is the market at that point in time.

The thread title stated rims, the thread text stated wheels, used wheels, prices drop very fast with rare exceptions, also whole wheels are becoming very expensive to ship, the dimensions of a complete wheel, not counting careful packaging can bring the price of shipping a big hurdle to many, rims, can just skirt below the dimensional threshold, and NOS, well everyone wants FRESH.
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Old 03-21-07, 05:55 PM
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Speaking of being a sissy, anyone need a 32 hole Mavic GL-330?
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Old 03-21-07, 05:55 PM
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GP4's are a nice rim, I bet the prices on those rise over time. Mavic SSC's were almost unobtainium when first made, I did not look at the auction completely, but if they were for the early dark blue ones with the big S S C lettering, very rare indeed.
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Old 03-21-07, 06:19 PM
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Originally Posted by el twe
Speaking of being a sissy, anyone need a 32 hole Mavic GL-330?
I have a 32h grey-anodized FIN tubular rim if anyone is interested in matching it up with this Mavic...

-Kurt
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Old 03-21-07, 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by el twe
Speaking of being a sissy, anyone need a 32 hole Mavic GL-330?

yes as a matter of fact I do ......................
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Old 03-21-07, 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by el twe
Speaking of being a sissy, anyone need a 32 hole Mavic GL-330?
el twe: Don't let 1 flat get you down. Buy some surplus aged, pre-stretched sew-ups and try again.
Gerry
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Old 03-21-07, 06:53 PM
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Anyone know if the tufo tubulars can be "patched" using the goo they sell for their tubular clinchers? If so, it may be a peace of mind for flats.
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Old 03-21-07, 07:06 PM
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Yes, as can other brands of tires.

I have used the TUFO sealant for years in both Tufo and Vittoria tires and yes, it does fix, fixable , flats after they happen.
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Old 03-21-07, 09:24 PM
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Originally Posted by waytoomanybikes
Yes, as can other brands of tires.

I have used the TUFO sealant for years in both Tufo and Vittoria tires and yes, it does fix, fixable , flats after they happen.
I've had 50% success rate with the sealant (with tub'r clinchers). A big chunk of glass may still do you in. Also really messy and can take severial applications. If the stuff pisses out while you are riding, it gets everywhere.

Back on the subject of used tubular rims: the chore of having to clean off the existing glue (hey you never know how skill the last guy was and how old is the stuff) would keep me away from the used stuff. I don't want to go thru cleaning that stuff again.
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Old 03-21-07, 10:47 PM
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Originally Posted by poopncow
I've had 50% success rate with the sealant (with tub'r clinchers). A big chunk of glass may still do you in. Also really messy and can take severial applications. If the stuff pisses out while you are riding, it gets everywhere.

Back on the subject of used tubular rims: the chore of having to clean off the existing glue (hey you never know how skill the last guy was and how old is the stuff) would keep me away from the used stuff. I don't want to go thru cleaning that stuff again.
I have never used tubular clinchers.

On straight tubulars - I've worn them down to the threads.
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Old 03-21-07, 11:45 PM
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I think the market for vintage tubies is a niche within a niche, so there's ample supply and limited demand. Hardly anybody wants to mess with em, and those that do probably have enough tubular wheels as is.
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Old 03-22-07, 04:11 AM
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Originally Posted by waytoomanybikes
Yes, as can other brands of tires.

I have used the TUFO sealant for years in both Tufo and Vittoria tires and yes, it does fix, fixable , flats after they happen.
I hope so. I am new on my tubulars adn have yet to face my first flat. Carrying a flat kit with Tufo sealant, and also the Tufo Extreme rim tape and a spare tire for peace of mind. I hope it does not "piss everywhere" in fixing a small puncture ...
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Old 03-22-07, 04:54 AM
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Originally Posted by sekaijin
I hope so. I am new on my tubulars adn have yet to face my first flat. Carrying a flat kit with Tufo sealant, and also the Tufo Extreme rim tape and a spare tire for peace of mind. I hope it does not "piss everywhere" in fixing a small puncture ...
Why on earth would you carry the sealant with you and wait for a flat to occur.

Pre-treat the tire by putting sealant into it before the flat happens. This is what I do, I have had punctures happen and seal themselves on next tire rotation.

Also, if the sealant is already in the tire if a puncture happens - it isn't going to get all over as people seem to expect.
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Old 03-22-07, 09:04 AM
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The real reason tubular rims are so cheap is that high-performance clinchers have gotten so good. I rode the 1972 Los Angeles Wheelmen Double Century on 110 PSI tubulars, because my other option was 70-80 PSI 27x1-1/4" gumwalls, but if I ever do it again, it will definitely be on a good pair of clinchers. My neighborhood is so thick with goathead thorns that I cannot be bothered with patching and stitching tubulars.
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Old 03-22-07, 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by John E
The real reason tubular rims are so cheap is that high-performance clinchers have gotten so good. I rode the 1972 Los Angeles Wheelmen Double Century on 110 PSI tubulars, because my other option was 70-80 PSI 27x1-1/4" gumwalls, but if I ever do it again, it will definitely be on a good pair of clinchers. My neighborhood is so thick with goathead thorns that I cannot be bothered with patching and stitching tubulars.
And this may well be true.

For me, I have always ridden tubulars and so I still do. I also ride clinchers.

I also do not live or regularly ride in areas where there Thorns are a significant problem.

FWIW - I put the Tufo sealant inside inner tubes as well.
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