Thanks for noting that - and yeah, that makes total sense. Just like brass wool instead of steel wool won't scratch up chrome, I'm assuming the brass brush will go easier on the alloy/anodizing.

DD

There is a trick to that. Leave the area between the spokes directly opposite the valve stem free of tape.

For balancing the wheel, correct?

DD

Can't answer about removing the tape opposite valve stem, can't hurt. But it has to be negligible in a rolling environment with bearings under load of rider + bike, and with vibration induced from pavement. Still, no harm in seeking perfection.

What tires on your radar?
I'll guess Vittoria.
Checked the sale prices at www.probikekit.com and www.merlincycles.com and the prices are typical, but not hot deals. www.biketiresdirect.com is high, but faster delivery by a mile.

I need to buy a few tires, too. Only 2 if the new Vittoria Rallys 25mm are acceptable spares. Probably 4, as having a matching (and therefore permanent) replacement is more efficient.

Flatted an older Conti Giro, that came with a purchased wheelset. Got a good many useful miles out of it. But what to do now, given no replacement tanwall 23mm?

I thank you for the compliment. I have to mention that this "mileage man" has found fewer opportunities this summer to do serious mileage. Even so, most of it has been on tubulars.

I first read that as "If you think about it, crooked sewups only slow you down", which says almost the same thing but is completely different. I try not to think about it so they don't slow me down much at all.

You are welcome to stick with tape. That's what tape does, sticks to things. Better that the tire sticks to it than that you do however. (I use glue.)

To give you a starting point when you need to remove the tubular. I always skipped the same section when I used glue, for that reason.

Exactly. I once spent a good deal of time at the side of the road trying to remove one of my tubulars before learning that tidbit. Arthritis in my thumbs can make it difficult. What was funny was the several people stopping to ask if I needed help. All I had to say was "tubular tire" and they got a blank look on their faces.

I never would have thought of that in a million years. In a box, I am.

DD

I have occasionally resorted to carrying plastic tire irons to use as levers to remove stuck sewups. Never had to though, at least not yet.

None, actually - the tires that came on the Bianchi are in super shape, but the front is mounted opposite the rear and you know me and my OCD. Besides, I always overhaul a bike that's new to me and I don't know if I can trust the old glue.

DD

Don't feel bad. I didn't figure that bit of info out for myself. But it sure is great to be able to pass it on.

I can sympathize. I hate it when the front tire goes forward and the rear tire goes backwards. I never seem to get anywhere when that happens. I end up having to flip the rear wheel around.

Advantages of tape: it's easy and not as messy if you're a tubular noob.

Advantages of glue: you decide how much is enough, you can just not put glue in the "easy to remove" section, you can put more glue on top of old glue, much easier to remove old glue, MUCH easier to replace a tire on the road, the satisfaction of having an old-school skill.

You won't like tape when you need to remove tire on the road because of a flat. Half the tape will stick to the tire and the other half to the rim... randomly. Then how do you mount your spare?

Use the tape in your jersey pocket?

The first time I did have a flat on a taped tire, all the tape stayed on the tire. Last time was as you described. I carry some tape wrapped around a flat piece of plastic and a small knife. You put tape in the gaps and peel back part of the "cover" as you do when installing new. It can be difficult mounting the spare straight due to the "old" tape on the rim, but usually the idea is to get home, so it doesn't have to be perfect. Once mounted, remove the "cover" tape as in a new install.

I find that swapping a glued tire is pretty quick most of the time. Would tape be faster or slower?

I'm retired so I'm not in a hurry anymore :)

I like the idea of carrying a spare tape roll in the tool bag. Why not? Light stuff.

DD

When I got back into sew-ups I tried tape for the first few sets, but went back to glue. It's really no big deal.

Top

Umm, its CDO, at least get the alphabetical order correct:innocent:

As to the current question, glue or tape, still gluing after all these years (apologies to Paul Simon.) Just never saw a reason to switch, and buying bulk flux brushes makes it easier than it ever was back when it was finding a hardware store or plumbing supply with someone stock.

Bill

You know, it's funny but tape is the way I learned, too. I first ran tubulars in 1994 while in London, and since I didn't trust myself with making an indestructible bond between rim and tire, I had Condor Cycles tape up all my tires - that was their go-to method even back then. They removed and replaced them the 3/4 times I flatted them, too. So I never dealt with the icky part :)

But taping up the tubulars a couple months back was fun and I guess I can hope for the best that I don't puncture. I won't be running them all that often since they'll only be on one bike and I do a pretty good job rotating through at least 5 or 6 of them.

DD

I've never used tape so can't comment on the relative ease of changing a flat. I have had tires which the PO had taped. Small PITA to get the little leftover nubs of tape off.

As for the no-glue-opposite-the-valve trick. I'm aware of it but never seen to remember to it while I'm applying glue to the rim. Hasn't been an issue removing the (thankfully rare) flat so far.

I don't do it either, I have an old tire lever in my cycling wallet to get the removal started if necessary. And I am always a little surprised at how hard they are to get off... a testament to my glue jobs.

It was a good day my friends . Got my Campy/Nisi wheels back from the LBS and they did a fine job lacing . The tires I'm using are NOS Giro d' Italia . I do my own thing when gluing , maybe it will bite me someday maybe not . I 1 coat the tire and rim , let dry and then 1 coat tire and rim and mount . Using (this time) Challenge mastic , it's a Italian build so Italian glue . Previously I had been using 3M Fast Tack , 1 thick coat on the rim and tire and mount . Never a problem . Many beers ago I used to let my buddy (Psycho Billie) ride one of my bikes and it had tubulars , anyway we had one mile to go after a 60 miler and Billie gets a flat . Typical Billie he flies into a rage and then starts crying , I'm like Billie no big deal I can fix it . At the time I was using tape and a Co2 cartridge for air . So I got to work , Billie was silent (for once) he had never seen tape and never filled with Co2 .
Anyhow the second picture with the blue tape is for holding the tire valve stem straight while pulling on the tire , works good .


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a6ae09b6_z.jpg
IMG_0401 by mark westi, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...fd24e4ae_z.jpg
IMG_0403 by mark westi, on Flickr

Don't use a Dremel tool.

Use one of these.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...89e7634296.jpg