tubulars/sew-ups vs. clincher question
 

Tubulars and sew-ups are the same thing, right?
And these are generally not recommended for street fixie riding, right? Are they too delicate for potholes/uneven pavement/road debris?

And, my real question: Can the same rim be used for either? I found a good wheelset on craigslist but they're set up with tubular tires. Could I switch out the tires for clinchers? I dont think I can, but I'm sure one of you can confirm this

thanks

Tubular = Sew up

I don't like tubulars on the road.

No, the same rim can't be used for either.

yes, sew-ups and tubulars are the same thing.

I've never used tubulars but they seem expensive. I don't think anyone would want to use them for general cycling.

No, tubulars can't be used on clincher rims and vice-versa.

i had a bike with sewups/tubulars 25 years ago. in those days, sewups were way lighter than any clinchers, much more narrow, and just generally cooler. that is no longer true. i wouldn't recommend them for road riding, because they are more expensive, difficult to put on (you gotta use glue) and patching them is, well, interesting. somewhere i think i still have the old patch kit, with the needle and thread.

a week ago i saw someone had left a bike wheel on the curb near my house, and it was a mavic tubular rim laced to some crappy hub with a frozen axle. i sort of regret leaving it there, but really, what am i going to do with one 36-hole tubular rim? garage is getting kinda full...

Actually they make tubular tires that work on clincher rims but they're high end MTB and cylcocross gear and nothing that you would ever want to use on the road. The tires hook on like clinchers but have the tubular design of an integrated 'inner tube'.

Good luck fixing one these as well.

actually, you can get Tufo's on ebay for less than $50 a pair. they wear pretty well, but you need to stretch 'em before you put 'em on...

The ones on chicago craigslist? Get em and ride tubulars, duh. That wheelset is awesome. Lots of people still ride tubulars - not me, but several people I know. It's not as much of a pain as everyone is implying, and they don't flat more or less than other tires. Patching them takes some work but it's fun bike work - meticulous etc. More info on tubulars at yellowjersey.org.

I used tubular tires until this year 2004. I have three sets of tubular wheels that I still ride on a 1981 Peugeot. They ride great and you can change a flat quicker and easier than a clincher tube can be patched as you carry a spare glued folded tubular tire under your seat. The tires are actually less expensive than clinchers if purchased online. The highend Tubulars are $45-$100 each and use Latex Tubes which do not hold air as well as the cheaper Butyl Rubber Tubes and must be inflated before each ride; the payback is a extremely supple ride. I use Continental Sprinter Tubulars which have Butyl Rubber Tubes and cost about $35 each. They very durable and ride great. Many Pro Race Teams and Time Trialist insist on riding tubular tires.

These days I prefer clincher tires and tubes only because of convenience as I can find them in any shop.

Typically refered to as tubeless tire or open tubular.

Tufo, in the Czech Republic make a nifty tire called the tubular clincher. It's fully tubular with a pair of ridges that hook into a clincher rim.....no glue. A shop owner friend, who rode tubulars for years (decades) only rides Tufo now. He claims they are very close to the real thing in ride. I may give them a try but I do really like my Vredesteins.

Jim

Edit: Dammit, I just realized fixedpip mentioned Tufo by name above....sorry for the redundant redundancy.