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Racing Wheels: Tubular or Clincher
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2012-01-03 11:27 AM

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Extreme Veteran
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Maple Grove
Subject: Racing Wheels: Tubular or Clincher

Which type of wheel you're racing with?



2012-01-03 12:16 PM
in reply to: #3968193

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Subject: RE: Racing Wheels: Tubular or Clincher
I use Hed 3 clinchers. When I bought my clinchers 4 years ago the thinking was you should buy tubulars for racing. I never understood why you would want to buy a wheel (tubulars) that was so much more difficult to work with and tires were twice as expensive just for a minuscule savings in weight. Aero wheels are mostly about being aero and to a smaller degree about weight. I see in the last year the thinking is now switching more to clinchers for race wheels. I would highly recommend clinchers over tubulars for anybody who doesn't have a team to help them with troubles during a race.
2012-01-03 12:31 PM
in reply to: #3968316

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2012-01-03 1:08 PM
in reply to: #3968193

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Eden Prairie, MN, Minnesota
Subject: RE: Racing Wheels: Tubular or Clincher
Me_Xman - 2012-01-03 11:27 AM

Which type of wheel you're racing with?

Currently...training on Mavic Kysrium clinchers and racing on tubulars - either Zipp 310 or HED 3 rear wheels with a HED J2 front.

Looking to...sell the tubies, get a wheelbuilder cover for the rear wheel and deep V clincher front wheel. 

I appreciate what tubies have to offer, but have more experience with clinchers and only want to worry about one type of tire at a time. 

 

2012-01-03 2:26 PM
in reply to: #3968193

Master
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, Minnesota
Subject: RE: Racing Wheels: Tubular or Clincher

I race and train on the same set of wheels - clinchers.  Pair of HED 6's is pretty good all around setup.

Like Bryan, I'd rather race with items which I've changed a flat in practice.  Not like I can borrow a tubular while practicing, nor do I want to carry a spare tire every time I go out.

It's all a matter of what you're comfortable with.

2012-01-03 6:42 PM
in reply to: #3968193

Pro
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5000
Twin Cities
Subject: RE: Racing Wheels: Tubular or Clincher
Currently, tubular. This is simply a product of what wheels I got the best deal on. I'm not picky.


2012-01-03 9:34 PM
in reply to: #3968193

Expert
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Minnesota
Subject: RE: Racing Wheels: Tubular or Clincher
There is nothing that tubulars give one that can't be had in some form with clinchers.

High end clinchers with latex tubes give one just as nice a ride as tubulars. The weight savings of tubulars is minimal and the one of two advantages that clinchers have. Clinchers are easier to change than tubulars. Clincher tires are less expensive. Shops in smaller markets are not likely to have tubular tires in stock, nor be willing to fix and mount tubulars. The other advantage of tubulars is that they can be rode while flat.

The big boys that ride tubulars in the tours have a vehicle following them around with a quiver of wheels that can quickly be swapped. Nobody changes tires. You and I, however, are riding without support and if we go flat, we need to change our own tires. I can swap a clincher tube without tools and be back riding in around two minutes on a really good day and in less than five on a bad day.
2012-01-04 10:07 AM
in reply to: #3968193

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Alexandria, MN
Subject: RE: Racing Wheels: Tubular or Clincher
I thought you just bought tubulars from Gear West?
2012-01-04 10:31 AM
in reply to: #3968193

Extreme Veteran
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Minnetonka Beach, MN
Subject: RE: Racing Wheels: Tubular or Clincher

I've been riding tubulars forever.  I think that has something to do with my choice! 

My guess is that if I was starting from scratch, I would go with clinchers, but because of having done this for years, I can change out a prepped tubular in less time than it takes me to release a clincher tire, pull out the tube, make sure that the tire doesn't have the remnants of glass or thorn still shooting through the casing, put in the new tube, reset the bead and fill the tire.  For me... I pull off the old tire (5-10 seconds) put the prepped new tire on, make sure everything is aligned, and fill it up. 

I can't argue at all with the cost of the new tire, availability etc...  Clinchers have come a LONG way!

2012-01-04 11:09 AM
in reply to: #3968193

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Elk River
Subject: RE: Racing Wheels: Tubular or Clincher
Clinchers on my 20 year old yellow Trek!!!
2012-01-04 11:22 AM
in reply to: #3970433

Extreme Veteran
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Maple Grove
Subject: RE: Racing Wheels: Tubular or Clincher

Yes I did. Pair of Zipp 1080 tubular for $1080. Just want to see what type of wheels everyone is using and get some rational behind the decision. Pair of Zipp 404 clincher running around $1700. Based on the cost I couldn't resist.

Climbinggonzo - 2012-01-04 10:07 AM I thought you just bought tubulars from Gear West?



2012-01-04 11:37 AM
in reply to: #3970618

Expert
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Alexandria, MN
Subject: RE: Racing Wheels: Tubular or Clincher

TooTallRunner - 2012-01-04 11:09 AM Clinchers on my 20 year old yellow Trek!!!

Really, I thought you were still running wooden wheels with metal strips around the outside...

 

 

 

Sorry, couldn't resist that one!  Laughing

2012-01-04 12:07 PM
in reply to: #3970683

Member
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Elk River
Subject: RE: Racing Wheels: Tubular or Clincher
Climbinggonzo - 2012-01-04 11:37 AM

Really, I thought you were still running wooden wheels with metal strips around the outside...

Actually I upgraded just before the Alex tri last year. It was a tough training month before then.....

2012-01-07 5:40 PM
in reply to: #3968193

Regular
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Circle Pines
Subject: RE: Racing Wheels: Tubular or Clincher
Had tubulars for a few years but made the switch to HED Jets this year.  And glad I did because I got a flat at IMAZ and wheels were back rolling in just a few short minutes.  That peace of mind is clutch.

Edited by RSBurnsIM 2012-01-07 5:41 PM
2012-01-08 8:54 AM
in reply to: #3968193

Master
2642
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Bloomington, MN
Subject: RE: Racing Wheels: Tubular or Clincher
I train on clinchers but race tubulars.  I like the ride of tubulars (haven't ridden on latex tubes).  I can change a tubular flat very quickly if the fix-a-flat doesn't work right away.  Plenty of LBSs work with tubulars.  GW and the Bloomington Penn Cycle are very, very adept at tubular mounting, selling tires, etc.  Bucky at Penn and Kevin at GW can ride whatever they want and they ride tubulars.  If I were starting over, I would look into clinchers; but I am invested in tubular right now. 
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