Tubular advise needed
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Tubular advise needed
I bought a used bike which came with a set of Dura Ace tubular carbon wheels, I think the latest version of C40s. Previously the bike was someones CX bike and the tubular wheels have CX tubulars mounted on them.
This bike has become my go to bike for street and gravel rides and I now ride it with a different set of tubeless rims with some wide and pretty heavy tubeless tires that work on both surfaces just OK.
I’m trying to come up with a game plan for having separate wheels based on my ride, street vs gravel.
It looks like it would cost me $200-300 for tires, tape, etc. to try running tubulars for the road and wondering if it would be a sensible idea? Would selling the tubulars and having 2 sets of tubeless wheel sets be a better idea?
This bike has become my go to bike for street and gravel rides and I now ride it with a different set of tubeless rims with some wide and pretty heavy tubeless tires that work on both surfaces just OK.
I’m trying to come up with a game plan for having separate wheels based on my ride, street vs gravel.
It looks like it would cost me $200-300 for tires, tape, etc. to try running tubulars for the road and wondering if it would be a sensible idea? Would selling the tubulars and having 2 sets of tubeless wheel sets be a better idea?
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You could probably get 500-600 or so for them (Just saw a pair of newer c40s with mounted tires + two additional tires sell for $666).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29365825745....m43663.l10137
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29365825745....m43663.l10137
#6
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Consistently good prices on top line tubulars at merlincycles.com. The runner up is probikekit.com. Merlin had free shipping until covid. Top tires should not be above $60 delivered. No sense in using less than best. Current clinchers and tubeless are so good only best of breed tubulars are better. Glue your tires. Costs about a buck each.
In time you will find ways to feed your tubular habit for less than above.
In time you will find ways to feed your tubular habit for less than above.
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I keep going back and forth in my thinking on this one. I was very hesitant to try tubeless at first and now think they are great and I'm wondering if the same might be true with tubulars.
I guess my biggest fear is with flats and replacing a tubular out on the road. That would require me to buy three tires and have a preglued tire with me and If I flat I would need to rip off the old tire and mount the spare out on the side of the road. Does that sound right?
I guess my biggest fear is with flats and replacing a tubular out on the road. That would require me to buy three tires and have a preglued tire with me and If I flat I would need to rip off the old tire and mount the spare out on the side of the road. Does that sound right?
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I keep going back and forth in my thinking on this one. I was very hesitant to try tubeless at first and now think they are great and I'm wondering if the same might be true with tubulars.
I guess my biggest fear is with flats and replacing a tubular out on the road. That would require me to buy three tires and have a preglued tire with me and If I flat I would need to rip off the old tire and mount the spare out on the side of the road. Does that sound right?
I guess my biggest fear is with flats and replacing a tubular out on the road. That would require me to buy three tires and have a preglued tire with me and If I flat I would need to rip off the old tire and mount the spare out on the side of the road. Does that sound right?
Back in the "old days" the difference between tubulars and clinchers was large, and it was worth the hassle. The modern 21st century clinchers (tubeless and tubed) are pretty good and so the difference is really quite modest. I used tubulars back in the 1980's and found the ride to be excellent but the hassle makes it not worth it for me.
Your choice.
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You could probably get 500-600 or so for them (Just saw a pair of newer c40s with mounted tires + two additional tires sell for $666).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29365825745....m43663.l10137
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29365825745....m43663.l10137
Here is a picture of what I have.
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Don't confuse tubular and tubeless. They are very different. Both are kinda finicky compared to traditional clinchers. Feel free to try your tubulars and see if you like them, the ride is great but the hassle factor is huge. And yes, typically you carry a spare tire to put on if you have a flat. I know some people try putting sealant in tubulars but that's unlikely to work out.
Back in the "old days" the difference between tubulars and clinchers was large, and it was worth the hassle. The modern 21st century clinchers (tubeless and tubed) are pretty good and so the difference is really quite modest. I used tubulars back in the 1980's and found the ride to be excellent but the hassle makes it not worth it for me.
Your choice.
Back in the "old days" the difference between tubulars and clinchers was large, and it was worth the hassle. The modern 21st century clinchers (tubeless and tubed) are pretty good and so the difference is really quite modest. I used tubulars back in the 1980's and found the ride to be excellent but the hassle makes it not worth it for me.
Your choice.
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I like Continental Sprinters. A bit less than the best ride quality, but <$40 on sale, and they wear extremely well IME. After a couple of k miles, a Vittoria Corsa would be sliced and diced but the Sprinters plug away. My last two tires wore to the cords without a flat- helpful if you go long and can be hours away from home.
I also carry a dedicated spare that is small and light- only 50% bigger & heavier than an inner tube & fits in saddle bag.
Changing a tire on the road is NBD. Sounds like you could do fine. I would get two Sprinters @ $46, a Tufo Elite Jet (spare) @ $65, and a can of glue for $20, & be good to go. I have an older set of those DA wheels (rim brake), & they've been great- very light & the hubs are nice.
I also carry a dedicated spare that is small and light- only 50% bigger & heavier than an inner tube & fits in saddle bag.
Changing a tire on the road is NBD. Sounds like you could do fine. I would get two Sprinters @ $46, a Tufo Elite Jet (spare) @ $65, and a can of glue for $20, & be good to go. I have an older set of those DA wheels (rim brake), & they've been great- very light & the hubs are nice.
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If you are going to race CX, keep the Tubulars.
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I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
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I hope to continue with CX, our upcoming season was cancelled so it might be awhile and at 63 years of age not sure how many seasons I might have.
I did decide to a least give them a try with road tires and will keep them for the time being.
I ordered a set of road tires yesterday and then spent a couple hours removing the CX tires and cleaning up the rims.
I'm not sure how or if I need to remove the glue from the CX tires I removed, if I'm going to ever reuse them.
I did decide to a least give them a try with road tires and will keep them for the time being.
I ordered a set of road tires yesterday and then spent a couple hours removing the CX tires and cleaning up the rims.
I'm not sure how or if I need to remove the glue from the CX tires I removed, if I'm going to ever reuse them.
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Pick off any big globs but no you don't need yo remove the glue.
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I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.