Thread: Tubular Tires?
View Single Post
Old 03-23-12 | 07:32 AM
  #36  
merlinextraligh's Avatar
merlinextraligh
pan y agua
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,809
Likes: 1,232
From: Jacksonville

Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike

Originally Posted by Six jours
I'm not sure there's much point in tubulars anymore. Clinchers seem have closed the performance gap down to essentially nothing. Especially once you've added a bunch of weight to your tubulars by filling them with some sort of goop.
Deep sectioned carbon tubular wheels are still close to a pound lighter than comparable carbon clinchers.

While Clinchers have gotten better, the ride and handling is still better with Tubulars. Right now I've got a set of Vittoria Open clinchers, and a set of Vittoria EVO CX tubulars. I prefer the tubular Vittorias, and I corner faster on them in crits (which may just be the result of bieng more confident on them)

As mentioned above you can ride tubulars flat, which can be important in a race, where you can't get a wheel in a timely fashion. (i.e. you can roll in the last kilometer and lose less time than waiting for the wheel truck, or time when you drop back for a wheel)

Also I'd a heck of lot rather flat a tubular on a steep descent than a clincher.

So, there are still performance advantages to tubulars, just not as pronounced as they used to be.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
merlinextraligh is offline  
Reply