My Shwinn Varsity in the late 60s had steel rims and at that time if you were in junior high the only bike to have was a Varsity which meant there were millions on the road. Heavy as a tank and 26" wheels, steel everything but keen metallic colors. There were snobs at school whose parents popped for a Continental and a few even had Paramounts but we regarded them as sissies. Those that had Peugots and Gitanes were often chess club members and didn't figure in. I've been riding since then (not on my Varsity) and I've never heard the term tubular refer to anything but sew up tires and the rims to accomodate them.