Tubulars
06-21-09, 10:51 AM
#26
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I've been looking for a pair of MAVIC MA2 clincher rims for almost a year. During that search I'd come across tubular rims all the time. Now that I started looking for tubular rims to purchase, I can't find any. In the end, it's the same problem - I want a C&V silver rim.
I looked for Fiamme Red Labels last night to no avail. Someone mentioned MAVIC GP4's but as it turns out those are grey anodized and I don't like that. I am after something similar to what was used in the early to mid 1970's. I'll keep looking.
It seems there are several decent tires I can try to start with, such as the Veloflex Roubaix, so the tires are not the problem.
Do the various puncture resistant technologies really work or are they just a marketing ploy to help sell tubulars?
I looked for Fiamme Red Labels last night to no avail. Someone mentioned MAVIC GP4's but as it turns out those are grey anodized and I don't like that. I am after something similar to what was used in the early to mid 1970's. I'll keep looking.
It seems there are several decent tires I can try to start with, such as the Veloflex Roubaix, so the tires are not the problem.
Do the various puncture resistant technologies really work or are they just a marketing ploy to help sell tubulars?
06-22-09, 05:33 PM
#27
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I built up a vintage steel Italian bike and went back to tubulars after 20 years on clinchers. Now both my regular rides have tubulars.
To me, they ride better, handle better, allow lower pressures (which helps with my herniated discs), and the wheels are lighter overall. I'm riding in pretty rough conditions in NYC and haven't had any problems yet, though I am careful to watch for glass, debris, etc. Also, I've been able to pick up several sets of really nice wheels on Craigslist for super cheap. I've found a few sets in nearly new condition with Campy Record hubs and nice rims (Ambrosio, Fiamme, etc.) for just over $100. Hell the hubs are worth more than that. I think people just have these old wheels in their garages from the 1980's and don't use them. So that's another advantage to going tubular. If I trash a wheel (which I haven't yet), I've got another set waiting for less than the price of a decent set of tires!
I've been using the Vittoria Corsa CX, which ride like a dream. I just bought a pair of Conti Sprinters to try out, as they are slightly cheaper and are supposed to be more durable. I'll report back after I have a few miles on them. I have not heard good things about the cheaper tubulars, and I am afraid to spend over $100 per tire riding city streets. So for now I'm in that $60-70 range with the Vittoria Corsa and the Conti Sprinter.
To me, they ride better, handle better, allow lower pressures (which helps with my herniated discs), and the wheels are lighter overall. I'm riding in pretty rough conditions in NYC and haven't had any problems yet, though I am careful to watch for glass, debris, etc. Also, I've been able to pick up several sets of really nice wheels on Craigslist for super cheap. I've found a few sets in nearly new condition with Campy Record hubs and nice rims (Ambrosio, Fiamme, etc.) for just over $100. Hell the hubs are worth more than that. I think people just have these old wheels in their garages from the 1980's and don't use them. So that's another advantage to going tubular. If I trash a wheel (which I haven't yet), I've got another set waiting for less than the price of a decent set of tires!
I've been using the Vittoria Corsa CX, which ride like a dream. I just bought a pair of Conti Sprinters to try out, as they are slightly cheaper and are supposed to be more durable. I'll report back after I have a few miles on them. I have not heard good things about the cheaper tubulars, and I am afraid to spend over $100 per tire riding city streets. So for now I'm in that $60-70 range with the Vittoria Corsa and the Conti Sprinter.
06-22-09, 10:22 PM
#28
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Mike - I am also a 220 pounder and am running Yellow Jersey's Servizo Corse @ 120 psi. My wheels are Ambrosio laced 3x. No problems at all.
06-22-09, 11:25 PM
#29
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Cool! Now all I need is to find some rims.Which Ambrosio model are you using, Montreal?
Last edited by Mike Mills; 06-22-09 at 11:30 PM.
06-23-09, 02:23 AM
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I have a set of Montreals, which have worked well so far. My favorite overall has been a set of Mavic Monthlery Route rims, which from what I have read were their heavier model made for CX and Rubaix courses. Not the lightest, but they've been absolutely bulletproof, and still light by clincher standards.
The reality is that all this stuff is out of production, so from my experience you sort of have to check Ebay and Craiglist, find a good deal on a set of wheels and just try it. It's not cost effective to try to buy NOS rims and build them up. You could easily spend $500 looking for Campy hubs and vintage rims to build up. Just look for a good set of tubular wheels and rims from a reputable manufacturer (Mavic, Ambrosio, etc.) with 36 spokes and Campy hubs that are in good shape. True them and adjust spoke tension, buy a set of good tires, and you're good to go.
By the way, I weigh 185 and ride hard on NYC streets hopping curbs and running over potholes all day. I have not had a problem running tubulars yet. If you can find a good set of well built wheels I think you won't have any major issues.
Last edited by palladio; 06-23-09 at 02:28 AM.
06-23-09, 05:35 AM
#31
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How about:
https://cgi.ebay.com/PERFORMANCE-MT21...3A1%7C294%3A50
<edit - If the weight checks out>, they are slightly aero, which will make them stronger than box-section rims, but they are new, silver, 36h, and have eyelets...should be bomb-proof. I have slightly aero Campagnolo Ypsilon clincher rims on my 93 Viner and they look racy and are noticeably solid feeling.
18 mos ago I bought a pair of NOS Ambrosia Montreals on Ebay for my wife's bike, but lately they seem to have gotten more expensive. I've read that they are 400g each, which might be on the light side of bomb proof.
https://cgi.ebay.com/PERFORMANCE-MT21...3A1%7C294%3A50
<edit - If the weight checks out>, they are slightly aero, which will make them stronger than box-section rims, but they are new, silver, 36h, and have eyelets...should be bomb-proof. I have slightly aero Campagnolo Ypsilon clincher rims on my 93 Viner and they look racy and are noticeably solid feeling.
18 mos ago I bought a pair of NOS Ambrosia Montreals on Ebay for my wife's bike, but lately they seem to have gotten more expensive. I've read that they are 400g each, which might be on the light side of bomb proof.
Last edited by sced; 06-23-09 at 05:54 AM.
06-23-09, 05:59 AM
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There aren't a lot of matched sets of silver tubular rims visibly on offer, Mike. You might want to jump on those Championnats to have something, and keep looking for what would be better.
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06-23-09, 06:09 AM
#33
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06-23-09, 08:50 AM
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If you're not in a big hurry, try using this website search page:
https://www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=cpbike
It enables you to search Ebay as well as Craigslist from all over the USA at the same time. Go to the top and put in a brand and use the other box to enter search terms like "wheels" "tubular" "rims" etc. You might start with Campagnolo as I've found a number of vintage tubular wheels listed that way that were built with Campy hubs. They also have searches for Mavic, etc. Also the term "vintage" often brings up useful things.
It takes some patience, but I've found that much better deals can be had on Craigslist than on Ebay, which seems to have more visibility.
You can probably find some rims or wheels that are sitting in someone's garage unused for a good price.
https://www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=cpbike
It enables you to search Ebay as well as Craigslist from all over the USA at the same time. Go to the top and put in a brand and use the other box to enter search terms like "wheels" "tubular" "rims" etc. You might start with Campagnolo as I've found a number of vintage tubular wheels listed that way that were built with Campy hubs. They also have searches for Mavic, etc. Also the term "vintage" often brings up useful things.
It takes some patience, but I've found that much better deals can be had on Craigslist than on Ebay, which seems to have more visibility.
You can probably find some rims or wheels that are sitting in someone's garage unused for a good price.
Last edited by palladio; 06-23-09 at 08:56 AM.
06-23-09, 08:59 AM
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^^^ Mike, I just did a search using "Mavic" and "vintage" and found several pairs of silver tubular wheelsets that have sold in the past weeks on Craigslist. Nothing silver now, but here's an anodized set with Campy hubs for $100, NOS never glued.
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...229705850.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...229705850.html
