I finally went tubular as I had so many nice tubular rims.
I ended up with Gatorskins with some continental sealant, I rode this for over a year with no issues to work each day.
just a 10k each way.
The bike is now retired, but thinking of swapping the tubulars to another set or rims.
It was a struggle doing these the first time, I followed the Continental guide, use there glue as well..

Jim and machinist42, one Schwalbe One HT arrived today! Amazon still marks both as "Out for Delivery," so the jury is still out as to whether I receive both.

However, the first tire is not all black as was described when purchased. Instead it is tan wall--- which is what I was looking for in the first place and is what I currently run on my '71 Paramount. So I'm actually very happy about this--- as long as the second tire arrives as a tan wall. If not, I'll not be bummed. I have two spare tan walls now, and it doesn't hurt to have a third.

Spares are good. But can you ride a unicycle?

Tried a unicycle that I found at the town's stump dump--- once. Didn't need to try again!

Besides, where would you hang the freewheel?

Any idea @crank_addict what year that was published/printed?

If by chance anyone was wondering what in the world is "Whit Monday" its the day after Pentecost Sunday, which this year is on May 31st. Pentecost is a floating church holiday, tied in with Easter.

Just for those who have nightmares and against tubulars💨

Possibly 1920's - 1930's

Very cool. Is that your book? I'd love to find a copy or high quality scans.

great document !

Specialized has a sales price on the Hell of th North tubular. Still not cheap at $75USD

And the AllRounder still reduced.


I like my 3 year old Spesh cotton Turbos.

There are actually three different tubulars, Turbo Cotton, nominally priced at $59.99 (down from $80, though more below), the S-Works Turbo Hell Of The North, priced at $75, and the Turbo Cotton Hell of The North (no "S-Works"), priced at $80.

I put one of the Turbo Cotton tubulars in my cart, but it rang up at $80, not $59.99. Weird. I'm waiting for Specialized to get back to me about that.

Newb tubular question - What are the differences between vintage track rims and vintage road rims? Weight? Spoke count? Construction?

[MENTION=350750]BFisher[/MENTION], track bikes = no brakes, so track rims don't have a brake surface and, depending on the model, may have thinner construction on the sides.

Thanks for the info. I'm on the fence, but keep my eye out for NOS deals. Figured I'd do a little homework before I pull the trigger on the wrong rims.

Are there some tires that simply won't stretch to fit on rims?
I was given a bike with Mavic Sprint rims. I bought Tufo S33's in 24 width. Can't even get close to mounting them.
I know my hands aren't what they were when I swore off tubulars, but really.

Yes. Just like with clinchers, tolerances vary. I don't know if the Tufos you have were hand sewn, but adding humans into the construction process probably increases variability. Sitting in my basement I have an orange tubular I was given by Ken Freeman about a year ago. It's brand new, but he was never able to get it on a rim. (I'm not home so can't look up exactly what it is.) I've not been able to stretch it over a rim either. I suspect it's a lost cause (or actually a smaller tubular which was mislabeled?)

If you've not yet applied glue, maybe return them and buy something else or exchange for a new set.

do you pre-stretch your tubulars on a rim? or the barefooted hold to the floor and gently stretch by pulling up with your hands, a couple of times?

I have more difficulty with clinchers and not pinching the tube.

I put mine on a rim.

Thanks guys. I was trying to get the tub on a rim to stretch it.
I did take it to my son, younger, stronger, and probably wanting to impress Dad.
It was a struggle. but he got the tire on the rim. So its possible.

I experienced that with some Continentals. Other Contis I have had no issues.

Had a heck of a battle with a Continental Grand Prix 4000s II tire just two Saturday's ago. First fight was getting it off of the rim it was already on, which was a wheel for a bike I scrapped last year due to nasty frame damage. Bike I wanted to put it on had experienced a tire failure, thankfully not while riding it, and I had no spare tires other than that. Thought I would never get that tire off!

But the worst was yet to come, I dare say it took me a half hour, and usage of two sets of tire levers, to force that crazy tire onto the rim of the bike wheel I needed it on. And then, of course Murphy's Law came into play, after all that trouble I managed to damage the inner tube and it now has a slow leak. Lesson learned, wire bead tires for me from now on.

Maybe try TUBULARS.
😏

Your comment had me puzzled, and I'm like, "what am I missing?". Scrolled back through much earlier posts in this thread and you know, prior to browsing through the thread a bit more, well I honestly thought tubular tires were the floppy, non-wire bead, type.. But now I'm looking through this, and can safely attest that I have never seen one of these funky looking tire-tube combo "tubular tire" affairs in person in my entire life.