Tubular Survival Kit
There was never any question in my mind that tubulars are more romantic than clinchers, and as a Velominatus I was always convinced that the additional time and care that goes into gluing on a set of tires would make you feel just that much more connected to your bike and the history of the sport itself. I was skeptical, however, that tubs would ride noticeably better – and even if they did – whether they would prove to be too much of a hassle to make riding them worthwhile.
Two and a half years after building my first set of tubular wheels and gluing on a set of handmade tires, I have eliminated clinchers from all my bikes. The ride is better, the gluing is a quick and easy process (once you learn a few tricks), and a tubular can be changed more quickly than a clincher. Plus the glue gives you a little buzz; what’s not to like?
The switch from clinchers to tubulars did require a change to my tool kit, however. This fact wasn’t immediately apparent to me and I went on several rides happily armed with tire levers and a spare inner tube. Gearing up for riding tubulars is a more subtle process than it is with clinchers, a fact which gives me no small amount of pleasure. First comes the approach to folding and carrying the spare tire, should you choose to carry one. Also, with the removal of tire levers, spare tube(s), and patch kits comes the introduction of repair sealant; in the event of a flat, the first tactic is to inject the tire with some goop and see if it seals itself, eliminating the need to replace the tire in the first place. This works splendidly in many cases, and appears to be a long-term solution as well; I have one particularly beloved tire which has been holding fast with sealant since a puncture over a year ago.
After a few iterations, my tubular-friendly survival kit has evolved into a beautifully compact system which takes up less bulk in my jersey than does the clincher version. It consists of a Lezyne Carbon Drive Lite rubber-banded to a tube of Vittoria Pit Stop and a Lezyne V5 mini tool. Nothing to it. On longer rides or rides with others, I will strap my tiny tub to my saddle as extra protection in the event the Pit Stop doesn’t work.
Tubulars ride better, corner better, are easy to mount, quick to change, give you a small buzz, and require a smaller survival kit than do clinchers. You heard it here first: friends don’t let friends ride clinchers.*
*Thanks to @Nate for coining this phrase.
@frank I did locate one flaw in this whole approach of yours. Pretty much the entirety of your premise about folding and strapping a spare tub under your seat.
Should the tub not be rolled into a figure and worn over your shoulders?
@unversio What model are those?
@azryder New wheels are a lot easier to sneak into the garage than a whole new bike,
@Stephen Well played. I have been tempted to carry a second spare by this method when the need arises.
@frank
All that, plus being mindful that some brands of tire just don’t fit some rims properly. For example, my wife bought me a pair of Conti GP4000 tubulars last Christmas (she’s awesome.) I rapidly discovered that these simply don’t fit my Golden Tickets. I can mount a Vittoria Pave on them in about 15 seconds flat. I spent a hour struggling to stretch a Conti onto one of the rims, and then gave up in disgust and retired to tend to my blistered thumbs.
I’ve no doubt that the GP4000s are splendid tires (the clinchers were always my go-to) but don’t try to put them on Ambrosio Nemesis rims. I *suspect* that this is function of rim width, but I haven’t done the math.
@Stephen
This technique, while hardcore, is unaesthetic, and was necessitated by the gargantuan volume of the tires those guys were obliged to use. It also results in unwelcome smears of glue on one’s jersey.
@Nate
LTZ II and 30.00 add to cart. Been riding black version and white version. No closure at the wrist which is my preference.
Are people using using cx tubs for dirt/gravel rides?
IMO tubs are the only way to go for CX racing, and I would love to ride some sweet file-tread cx for crazy dirt and gravel rides. Though I glue+tape (Zanc method) tubs for cx and can’t imagine being able to pry a flatted cx tub by the roadside with injuring my fingers. Maybe I should just get over it, and go for it. What are others doing for these kinds of rides?
@stevep33 I just run my usual 25mm or maybe 27-28mm on dirt and gravel, and run lower pressure. Of course not all gravel is created equal. My understanding is that tape is part of the Cx gluing regimen due to the very low pressures; there is not enough air in the tire to help hold it in place. So if you can put some more air in thetape should be unnecessary. IDK where the break even point is.
@stevep33
I ride Clement tubs on my CX rig; for Heck of the North I will be riding their LAS file tread.
Even for CX racing I’m just gluing, no tape. I do an extra layer of glue for both the rim and tire and call it good. I’ve flatted twice on gravel and have gotten the tire off no issue and remounted it. I ride gravel on much more pressure than CX, though – in the 40-60 psi range. If there is a lot of good gravel, I’ll go as high as 70.
Not all gravel is created equal as @Nate says, and he must be riding some firm gravel if he’s taking his road bike on it and not worrying about needing a knob or two to stop a wheel slip. The forest roads I’m riding in the PNW tend to be very loose and I would never even consider taking my road bike on them – not to mention the width just to keep traction when the roads get steep.
That said, its amazing what your road bike will handle; we baby those things way more than they need to be.
I have been riding tubs for probably longer than most velominati – as I switched around 1965 when I purchased a pair of Fiamme sprint rims. I use double sided adhesive rim tape, not glue, as the glue is nasty stuff. I don’t accumulate road debris on my tubs because I use tyre savers and have the same pair of savers I fitted probably 30 years’ ago. We all used them back in those days and I don’t understand why these are not widely used today. In nearly 50 years I can count the total number of flats I have had with fewer fingers of one gloved hand.
@Nate
@nate, besides your lovely FMBs are there other 27/28mm tubs you like for our gravel riding?
The FMBs are my fatties. Nominally 27 but in reality more like 29? I also have FMB 25s and Veloflex 25s. Those are my go-tos. Finally I have the Schwalbe Ones back in action. I like them but their profile is pretty tall and narrow. I’d rather have a bit more girth on loose surfaces.
@Nate
What width on the Schwalbes? I see nominal sizes at 22/24/26/28…. dang, I may have to swallow hard and put out the big bucks for a set of 27 FMBs… gulp…. but if the sidewalls were pink it would make the swallowing easier:)
@teleguy57
My only complaint would be that the enormous tube-sac dangling off the back of your saddle significantly affects the overall clean aesthetic of your Hampsten.
And I’m not even going to start on that saddle (but damn I like that bike of yours)
@teleguy57 nominal 24. Overall a very very nice tire based on a couple hundred Kms of riding. Maybe the 26 or 28 are different.
This topic is timely, but possibly bad news for my bank account. After riding my entire cycling life with clinchers, I’ve been recently considered going with a set of tubs. A couple of questions for the more informed (or just more opinionated)…
I have a spare set of wheels – Chorus 10spd silver hubs with Open Pros – that have collected dust for the last 10 years. I always figured they would be my daily set for training rides, but once I put my Neutrons on my #1 they never came off. Should I keep as is and buy a new wheelset, or take the hubs and rebuild with tub rims? I hate to tear down a perfectly good set of wheels, but since I’m not using them it seems a waste. If rebuilding, I’m considering some Golden Tickets. Any others to consider?
@Nate
@DeKerr
Yup, I like it a whole lot. Hard to tell, but these are actually v1 and v2 vs two photos of the same bike. Steve H built me a second one this winter after we had some discussions about my fit and riding qualities. Someone else is loving the Berthoud-pictured bike after getting a sweet deal in one of Steve’s yard sales.
And I agree with you; the aesthetic of the two-tubular bag is why it hasn’t gone on the bike this season and I’m going with the Tubi on the bike and Stan’s in the jersey pocket (although with my fat butt on the bike the bag is less distracting that as pictured..
Don’t start on the saddle, because if you started riding one you might realize it works and be willing to deal with the semi-funkiness of the look. The aesthetics of the saddle are actually growing on me. Part of the issue is that the camera angle is really critical to whether it looks decent or strange, just like micro saddle tilt adjustments make it feel great or horrible. I am seeing more of them as people figure out they really can make a difference — particularly for those of us who have gone through a lot of other models searching for the right fit.
But we all love tubulars!
@MangoDave
No.
Does that tick the more opinionated box?
@frank
There was some fairly hard packed gravel on the Monsal Trail section of yesterday’s Manchester to London ride. 27mm Open Paves dealt with it as easily as they did with the really shitty rough tarmac in the hills behind Perpignan the week before last.
@MangoDave
There are not a lot of choices — nemesis, Hed Belgium. Not sure if there is even anything else except rare NOS Mavic stuff.
@teleguy57 LBS suggested I demo an SMP. Right now I am trying out an Aliante. I like it. It violates that rule about padding, however.
@Chris
Ha! That might fit under the More Knowledgeable/Universal Truth box. My only reason to consider something else would be for the weight factor. Something like the Mavic Reflex is a fair amount lighter, and I don’t anticipate flying over the cobbles of P-R anytime soon. I’m not too terribly heavy, at ~70kg, and tend not to destroy equipment.
@MangoDave a lot of the light older rims are too light to build a viable rear wheel spaced for 10 or 11 speed. Not sure the details but probably worth some research before you get too far.
@MangoDave
H Plus Son tb14s, Mavic reflex, are both popular tubular rims as well.
@MangoDave Another modern option is the Kinlin TB-25. Same weight as the Nemesis, but half the price. The 25mm V shape is pretty stiff, so you can get away with 10/11 dish and fewer spokes (it comes in 20/24/28/32).
@Nate
Thanks Nate. I don’t think I’ll look for older rims, I’ll stick to current models. Plus, for some reason I keep thinking my hubs are a new model, but reality sets in and I realize they are 14 years old already. I’m not getting older, must be some kind of a time warp.
@pistard Not too familar with the Kinlins. So far, my “research” has been a quick google search while pretending to work. The only thing that has turned up is that some people have complained about cracking the Mavic Reflex.
It must be a sign from Merckx, so far no one has threatened to hit me with a frame pump for considering destroying a perfectly acceptable set of Open Pros in order to build tubulars.
@minion
According to their own website, the H Plus Son TB14s are clinchers designed to resemble a tubular. Maybe I’m missing something.
Spa
@MangoDave
Yes, they are clinchers. For a while there were rumors that H Plus Son might do a tubular equivalent or their Archetype (also a clincher), but no dice so far.
If you can find them, the Ambrosio Montreals in hard ano are similar to Nemesis but less expensive and slightly lighter. If you’re going to run a 25mm tire you could also consider the Bike Hub Store TB415w, a 23 mm tubular rim similar to the Major Tom. Haven’t used it, but have read good things about it. @nate has some Hed Belgium tubulars; they’re supposed to be pretty sweet too for a modern 23mm rim.
@Nate
Nice when you can find something that fits well. I tried both the Antares (a full season) and the Aliante (still on my CX/rain bike but not really digging it. If you can demo an SMP it’s a good option. Steve Hogg has a comprehensive post on all the different SMP models and another from a reader about the impact of the SMP for him. Not trying to be an evangelist here; looking to share what info I’ve found.
@teleguy57
Those Hampstens are sweet-ass looking bikes and its a dream to have one. To hear he helped you out getting the fit right is just all the more awesome.
I was going to point out the different stem/fork in the second shot. Very nice looking steed!
Gianni swears by that saddle and that is good enough for me, although I’d rather have my groin amputated than ride one. But that’s just me.
Yeah baby!
@Chris
That photo would be much more meaningful without the landscape and with some fucking gravel, git!
@MangoDave
Just an observation; weight has less to do with destroying your gear so much as having some finesse on the bike. People much lighter than me destroy things much more quickly than I do.
@MangoDave
I’ve not ridden the Kinlins, just built a set for a friend for cross and he’s very happy with them. A little heavy, but they build up nicely.
It must be a sign.
I was taking the racing wheels off yesterday and putting the training wheels back on. I race on Carbon Tubbies, and train on carbon/alloy clinchers and was annoyed at the fact I have to keep changing pads. A solution is to train AND race on carbon tubbies! I could train on carbon clinchers but I’ve not yet fully warmed to the idea. Now, who’s got a set of carbon tubbies they want to sell me?
@frank
Monsal gravel……cue @frank “The gravel would be more meaningful with some bikes on the gravel, git”.
@Sowtondevil
Are you still riding those Fiamme? I have them on The Butler with a spare set too.
@EBruner
Wow, my first view of a new LeMond in the wild. The Campagnolo is the icing on the cake. Well done! I liked my steel/carbon spine LeMond a lot.
@frank
Steve is one class act. Tuning the fit was pretty incremental and secondary to tuning the ride, but we worked together on both.
You do know he’s in Seattle, right? I would think you’d pay him a visit, just in the name of great experiences and research in your leadership role for this band o brothers (and sisters).
Thanks. Both are Enve road forks. Stems have come and gone as I’ve tweaked position. Neither stem pictured is on the current bike:)
@EBruner
What an incredible bike! WOW! Nice job folding the tub nice and small.
@teleguy57 frank really ought to get himself a Hampsten shouldn’t he?
@EBruner echoing frank and teleguy: awesome. More pix please!
@Teocalli I still have the Fiamme Sprints on my 1954 Claud Butler. I am a little reluctant to break hard and wear these wonderful wheels out so I ride cautiously as a rule and avoid Rule #9 conditions with this bike.
@Sowtondevil
Nice! Photos needed here?
Re braking – there is soo little rim on them anyway that stopping is a challenge in itself! The other week I was out with a mate and part way down a hill he braked and took a left turn. All he heard as I went by straight on down the hill was “Oh bollocks”.
In fact after I had done a few rides without riding a modern steed, when I finally went out on modern brakes I near went over the handlebars when I applied the brakes.
Yup I hear you re Rule #9. Mine are strictly for the dry too.
@Sowtondevil Just remembered you did post some way back. No harm in reposting such a vintage beauty though!
@Nate
@nate, indeed he should. And @frank, you can write an article about the process and the Hampsten vibe. Oh, and tell Steve I sent you:)
This stuff is just the ticket
Ridden my Veloflex Roubaix with puncture resistant layer…..
Piece of glass gashed rear during a circuit race, unstitched etc and inner patched – now my spare
Then slow flat on front – getting pissed off – couldn’t find cause – sprayed this in, spun it a few times, and it held full pressure ever since
Sunday ride, spiked on a thorn and flatted the new rear tyre – sprayed can #2 into the rear – got to the coffee stop – found the hole – added more zefal, spun it, pumped it up and after an ejeculation of white spurt through the hole, boom – held full pressure since
Will be interesting to see if it seals itself now when I next spike it?
@Sowtondevil My hero!
@antihero
Oh god, glad I’m not the only one. I have never had more problems getting tires on a rim, and these were unglued, I just wanted to get them on to stretch.
Yeah, about 15 minutes a tire and my hands were toast. Next time I’ll try pumping them up before even trying to put them on a rim, maybe crank ’em up to 160 PSI and let them sit for a week.
@MangoDave
If the Open Pro rims are still good, I’d keep the wheels as an emergency spare and just look for a used hubset to build my tubular wheels up with. As far as rims go, I tried Mavic Reflex but had a problem with cracked eyelets and broken spokes (Sapim CX Ray). I went with HED Belgium rims and haven’t had any problems at all, still using the CX spokes. I weigh between 170-180 lbs, if you’re lighter maybe the Reflex will work for you but they’re not aero if that matters to you.
@kenl
I’ve heard recommendations to wet the base tape on conti tubs before initial stretching. Might also help to stretch after the last coat of glue dries and before mounting. Don’t run conti myself so I can’t vouch for the method but it may be worth trying.
@kenl
That’s the dilemma, since the Open Pros are in excellent condition. The only thing wrong with them is one of the stickers is starting to peel. For some of the more OCD Velominati, that alone might be enough justification to build up a new set of wheels. I’m slightly more practical (Mrs. Mango might disagree), but in the spirit of being practical I may want to use the hubs rather than let them collect more dust as an emergency spare.
Thanks for telling me your experience with the Reflex rims, makes me want to stay away from them. I’m still leaning toward Golden Tickets, but also considering the Ambrosio Crono if they’ll be strong enough.
Frank – this article inspired me to buy the Lezyne Carbon Lite pump in the spirit of rule compliance. It’s small and light, and gets me away from an undisclosed carrying method of the old pump.