tubular/disc wheel advice

http://bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/Vittoria-Pit-Stop.shtml


Maybe give that a shot.

Unless you are like 115 pounds soaking wet and it is a direct 30+ mph crosswind you have nothing to worry about.  In most cases a disc rear actually helps to STABILIZE you in windy conditions.  It is a really deep section front that can totally screw you in windy conditions.  As since the 909 uses a 404 front you should be fine.

I don't pre-glue my spares.  I just keep one on the bike, and one in the special needs bag.  See if someone else will let you borrow a spare if you don't feel like shelling out some cash for one.

And I stay away from fix-a-flat and tire sealants like they are the plague personally.  But that's just me.

Edited by Daremo 2008-10-13 10:02 AM

Vittoria pit stop works great, 2-3 min and your on your way.

I've used it.

Don't worry about the winds but make sure to practice in the wind before your race.

Geoff

Edited by geoffs 2008-10-13 11:09 AM

Is it hard to change a tubular? I'm probably going to rent wheels but am scared to try tubulars instead of clinches. Any advantage or disadvantage?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html

While I probably would have picked clinchers as I know I can change a tire that way, I'm borrowing a set of wheels and beggers can't be choosers. I'm very tempted by the flat fixer stuff, it seems much easier to carry and probably much quicker to get me on my way. Given my typical experience with CO2 cartridges, I should carry two cans. I'll certainly fail to use the first one correctly!

For IM distance, you should bring the Vittoria Pit stop and 1 or 2 tubulars just like you'd bring 1 or 2 tubes for clinchers. Just make sure to pre-stretch the spare tubulars to make getting them on a lot easier. If you flat, try the Vittoria Pit Stop first, if that doesn't work, change the tubular.

Should we only take advice from people that have won their AG. Great now I have to do background checks to see who to listen to.

You shouldn't have any problems with a disk at IMF.

The sealant products work well IF it's a small hole. I would encourage you to use it as your first option in case of a flat, but be prepared to possibly change it.

Regarding the cost of a spare tubie: seriously, you've likely got thousands invested in IMF (race, lodging, travel, training, gear) and you're worried about the cost of a tubie?

Personally I would buy two new tubies and ask the shop to pre-stretch and glue them for you. In the meantime I would practice changing a tubie with the ones that are currently on the wheels. Do it a couple of times a night for a few nights until your comfortable with it. Then take the rims to the bike shop and ask them to mount the new tubies.

Use the old tubies as spares. Put one in your bike SN bag, and attach one to your bike.

Personally I use Vittoria EVO's and/or Zipp Tangentes, but I would recommend you use Conti Gatorskins. Conti gatorskin tubies are not the fastest tubies out there, but they're more puncture resistant, and I've found they go on and off a rim easier then some of the others.

scott

PitStop is next to impossible to put into a flatted disc rim due to the valve being in the cut-out. There is no room and that crap won't flow through a crack pipe. Keep in mind, with a tubiular, you just rip the whole thing off. The only concern is if it's glued on too hard to get it started, so bring a razor blade to cut it. It will come off once you gain a purchase on it. A stretched spar will go on in 2 seconds and the residual glue will provide adhesion. Changing a tubular is VERY fast and VERY easy and yes you should run a disc at IMFL.

Edited by bryancd 2008-10-13 6:16 PM

FWIW, I find changing a Tubular tire way faster and easier than a clincher. In my first IM (IMC), I got 3 flats. The 1st two, I got going again by removing the carpet tack in the tire and using Tufo sealant. When the tire went down again for the 3rd time and I figured it was toast, it was so nice to just be able to peel it off, roll on the ready spare, inflate and go! Grant it, I had like 60 miles to go till the special needs bag and was nervous the entire time till I could pick up my second spare in bag and was not best pleased to have the flat experience. I've not flatted in an IM again or any of the HIMs I've done.

You'll find a ton of how to's for changing a Tubular, a lot of people don't apply any glue opposite of the value for about an inch. That way you know just where to push a tire lever in between and start to roll the tire off. I do this. You can also take a small razor blade with you too. Just cut the tire, stick your finger in there and pull it off! I do this too and just tape a razor blade to the side of the spare I'm carrying during the race. I also have CO2 and tire lever taped there too, makes for a ready to use kit requiring little thought during the race.

You could buy a spare tire for the race, pre stretch and apply a light amount of glue. Then give that back with the wheel set. Might make borrowing them again easier if you've given back.

You might want to also have a mini pump with you in case you use up your CO2... ask Chrissie Wellington.

okay, I got a spare from my coach, but won't have it until I'm in Florida, so I'm not going to buy the flat fixer, I will carry co2. I'll go in without practice changing it, but there's nothing like on the job training!! I will watch the videos about a bazillion times.