Originally Posted by
obuckler
You mentioned reading the tubular thread. If you do you will see all the various methods. It just becomes a personal choice.
My choices changed over time. Started with Tufos and Tufo tape for a low cost entry point. Easy to use but found it very very hard to change a tire and would never attempt it on the road. Quit using tape and relegated my Tufos to spares since I did not like their ride.
I now use Veloflex and Vittoria. Not the most expensive tires but still up there. I decided if I am going to do this I wanted to enjoy the ride.
And I learned to fix a flat the traditional way. Not a big deal especially if you have sail stitching experience.
If I flat now I just swap in a spare to get home. Later I glue on a good tire. I did try Vittoria Pit Stop till I almost got stranded. I’ve only flatted three times. I have more peace of mind changing out a tire and not worrying if the sealant will hold. It’s easier than fixing a clincher flat.
Thanks for your detailed feedback!
Yes, I took a quick peek at the Totally Tubular thread and it's 60 pages long and counting! Found out I posted back in 2019 looking for some answers, too - I noted that I've always had others do the gluing/taping then and it's high time for me to get on with it myself.
I must admit to wondering about the ride of different tires. My go-to choice bitd were Vittoria Squadra Prof in 22mm and I remember the rear end chattering around corners vice being planted - something I'm not sure my aging reflexes will still be able to deal with. While I run pretty high pressures with my open tubular Vittorias (120psi), the rear wheel is always stuck to the road. Very confidence-inspiring. While I liked the lack of rolling resistance, the road feedback was kinda...harsh. This was in the mid-to-late 90s; from what I read, plenty of improvements have been made to the modern, high-end stuff. Personal choice, indeed; what specifically did you not like about the way the Tufos ride?
DD