Originally Posted by
JohnJ80
I think the point is that you can get tubular like reliability and performance without having to get a new set of wheels.
If you are getting new wheels the absolutely get tubular wheels. With the new tapes (no gluing) and the terrific tires (Clement LGG) you can get wheels that weigh less/same and perform better in Al rims at half the price for carbon clincher rims.
My point about this is yes, if it holds air and does not fall off then it is a tire and it does have tubular construction, and therefore one can ride the bicycle. But in past threads the performance of such tires has not been well-thought of, with poor complance/ride quality, hard to mount reliably, and poor rim protection. I also tend to doubt that 1-G cornering forces are going to be held by the little rubber bead features; seems flimsy. Give me glue, tape, or real beads.
It is a tubular, but it's not a very good tubular. If you get some for free, fine. But it's not something one should spend money on in general. better would be to just get set up for a real tubular, or get the latest Michelin clincher race tires in your preferred size.