jimmuller 

I really couldn't say re "most other tubs" as I have experience with only two. I put Vittoria Corsa EVO SCs on the Motobecane which has one NISI rim and one Champion or Super Champion or something, and the Veloflex on the Masi with FIR GL125 rims (but don't be surprised if I misunderremembered what those rims are). As I recall I did not have any significant trouble mounting either, but I could be misunderremembering that too. I did pre--stretch the tires before gluing and mounting them

Bob, that black P-mount is one serious-looking bike! We'll have to go for a ride one time when you ride that and I ride the black Bianchi, and I won't be able to keep up with you.

ppg677

Vittoria Corsa Elite ride nice, but I've flatted twice in 300 miles. I also use YJs

squirtdad

An update rim is GP-4 so pretty heavy duty which is good and it is in really good shape

Based on the input I just placed and order with ribble and am going the way of tufo. S33 pro in 24, mounting tape and sealant

so with luck it will soon be let the tubular roll

OldsCOOL

I opted for 3for50 Servizio Corsa tires. They went on the rims for overnight prestretch rather easily considering the worst case scenarios I've read here. Also, they run straight and true. Next comes glue. The bike would deserve better according to some I suppose, but for the budget and short miles it will have I'm sure these are a good starter tire.

Wulf

Does ribble ship to USA? What is the shipping cost like?

RobbieTunes

Aye!

revchuck 

Yup, cost is ~$8 or so.

I've ordered a pair of Specialized Espoir tubulars in 25mm, MSRP is $40 each. They'll go on my c. 2002 Zipp 303s, replacing 25mm Gatorskins. They've got to be better than Gatorskins. I think steel shod wagon wheels probably ride and stick better than Gatorskins.

squirtdad

this is my first order, but when I had one tire in the order shipping was $8.00 by total order was over $100 and was free so at some dollar amount it kicked in free shipping.

the tufo's were at ~30 a little less than probike kit and about $20 less than what I could find in us based sites, and ribble had everything (tires, tape, sealant, and event got a spare valve just becuase) and it was all a lot less than what i could find here.

this helpd in decision to go higher grade tires. The total cost (tires, glue or tape, sealant) was about $40 to $50 more compared to cheaper options. And I am going to commute on this also. as cheap as i try to be I had to look at TCO (total cost of ownership) and figured I was ahead

Classtime 

I just cleaned off some old gl 330s with dried up red glue. First I chipped off a bunch with a small screwdriver and the used Citristrip adhesive remover. I have used the Citristrip on Continental glue too. It works better than acetone, toluene, or any of the nasty stuff I used in the past. I started using tubulars recently with Gatorskins because I didn't want to flat right away and when I did flat, I wanted to patch them. 25 mm Gatorskins at 90 psi ride nicer than 22s at 100 psi and +\- the same as Competitions at 100 in my opinion. Next up is regular Sprinters.

RobbieTunes

I think you are.

OldsCOOL

+10. Glue is not a problem when mounting the tires. Someday I will add to my sew-up experiences when I change a flat. Full Monty, indeed.

mtnbke

For those of us that are totally ignorant to the tubular world…how often do you get a flat with tubular tires? What do you do when you are on a ride and you hold up an arm and the Service Course Mavic Neutral Support car doesn't up. What actually do you do with a flat out on the road? Is there a weight limit for tubulars?

I love the Mavic Classics tubular wheel set. Bearings like butter, straight pull design. This was the pro's pro wheel set and the choice for many teams on the cobbles for years. However, I can't ride 'em if I'm intimidated by repairing a flat.

rootboy 

Just pull off the road, remove the wheel, remove the tire and install the spare which is under your saddle, and has been pre-prepped with a light coat of glue on the base tape. Pump it up and go on your way. Easy. If you have a second flat however, that's when you look for a comfortable spot in a grassy glade beneath the trees, and whip out your repair kit.

noglider 

@mtnbke, tubulars require more maintenance overall, but the on-the-road flat is one place where it's easier. You remove the wheel, remove the tire, and slap your spare on. Maybe your spare tire will have residual glue on it. Your rim certainly will. Rolling tires off the rim is actually rare, so just be a little careful. I rode tubulars without fresh glue many times, and I never rolled a tire.

Most tubulars are lightweight tires, so they get punctures about as often as clincher tires of similar weight, which is to say pretty often. Still, getting two flats on a single ride is a very rare event. When I rode tubulars on the road, I only carried one spare.

Classtime 

My first on the road flat was a bear to change because I followed the Continental intructions and used 2 tubes per new tire with new rims. I use less and less and changing gets easier and easier. Fewer pinch flats with tubies but the same frequency of punctures. I got a new saddle bag that will hold two spares easy for long rides.

squirtdad

The box from ribble arrived.....less than a week. Now to finish getting the old red glue off and clean and grease the bearings. Then I can catch up with oldsCool and get the tufos on and report back

just out of curiosity does anyone know what the brand the red glue was/is?

noglider 

Clement.

squirtdad

Between work craziness and some vacation, I got the old glue off, wheels greased and trued and the tufos on.

I used the Tufo tape and the install went pretty well once I figured you need to be in a position to stretch the tire, and hold it stretched bit before the next section.

the tire centered perfectly with no fussing needed.

I have done some short rides and my best description of the ride is "smooth"

I put the tufo sealant in and am hoping for the best. I also have a bottle of extreme sealant which will by my first try if I get a flat

but for you guys who run Tufo's (Robbie tunes) how big a deal is it if I have to pull a punctured tire off and replace with the spare I got?

I thought I read that the tufo tape is great, but makes tire changes harder?

Experience, Hints ???

thanks

ksryder

Pretty bike.

How are you liking the Gatorskin Tubies after a few weeks now?

I've used Gatorskin clinchers for thousands of miles and while I find the flat protection to be pretty good (only flat I've had was a pinch flat), the ride quality is pretty harsh and they seem slick/not grippy. Just wondering if the tubies are better.

I've been running conti sprinter tubies on my C&V and the ride quality is pretty great; although I tore up my rear tire the other day after I installed some new brake pads and did a couple practice stops. You would think it would last longer than about 1500 miles or so.

pastorbobnlnh 

Thank you. It is a favorite!

I also ride the Gatorskin clinchers, and the ride is not comparable to the Gator Tubulars. These are the first tubulars I've ridden, so I can't compare to other tubulars. But compared to clinchers, these are wonderful. Hope this is helpful.

ppg677

I must over-glue my tubulars, but I've really really struggled to remove tubular tires from the rim. Even with a tire lever.

noglider 

I can't tell from here if you over glue. How much glue do you use on a tire? Don't think of prying the tire off. Think of rolling it off. Or pushing it off to the side.

ppg677

I think we're I've gone wrong is that I apply a thin coat to the rim. Mount the tire. The last few times I'm unhappy with the "lump" near the stem so I pull the tire off while the glue is still wet to try again. I notice that parts of the rim no longer have glue there. So I apply another thin count and repeat.

Pars 

Try the Conti GP4 Seasons clinchers the next time. Much nicer than Gatorskins in both traction and ride feel, equal in puncture resistance. Supposedly built on a GP3000 core, so racing or HP type feel.

As for tubies, used to ride Clement Criterium cottons, used Tubasti cement, and changing flats was a piece of cake. Using the Tubasti, I guess I wasn't riding in the mountains, but never had a roll off.

crank_addict

another cheapie tubular thread~

Only 300+/- miles on a pair of Clement Super Condor. Rear blew out the sidewall. The front is looking 'tired'. Labeled made in Taiwan.

Have a pair of Clement Futur CX awaiting. No markings on them but appear better looking.