Originally Posted by lotek
Sounds like you guys either never rode tubulars, or
forgot everything you ever knew.
To fix a tubular on the road you peel the old tire, fold it
for later repair, stretch new tire onto rim, once seated
inflate, the glue already on the tire will hold it in place,
unless your descending the Alps ala Lance you're not gonna roll a tire.
If you have Tufo Tubular qlue tape you set that first and don't
worry about rolling a tire. Whole process is fairly quick, some old
pro's can change a tubular faster than you can get all your tire levers set.
Tubulars are LESS prone to flats (no pinch/snakebite flats) than clinchers.
With a tubular you can't catch the tube between the bead and rim.
oh, and as D*Alex would say "Never ride cheap tubulars"
Marty
I have heard about the new glue tape but I do not know anyone using it, then again finding anyone today using tubulars today is difficult. And I disagree with the "less prone to flats" comment. Sure pinch and snakebite flats are eliminated but if you install a clincher correctly you eliminate those anyway and eliminate catching the tube between the bead and rim! So if your just talking about flats from road debris their about the same; BUT I am comparing the old cotton or silk ply tires that I used over 20 years ago, today they have better ply material to reduce the flat issue including kevlar, but then your talking over $90 PER TIRE, that seems obsurd to me plus not get any more mileage out of them and probably less and your weight savings advantage is now gone as well.
As I stated before, the only real advantage to tubulars is weight and how they feel on the road, but the disavantages far outweigh the advantages.
BUT PLEASE DON"T SHOOT ME, it's just my opinion, an opinion that is based on experience using both I much rather use clinchers. I have heard from other forum members who would not use clinchers and prefer only tubulars-to each their own!! Doesn't mean I'm right or their right, it's just different preferences.