Shoe Goo isn't a miracle but it should work, doesn't do any harm and should keep debris out. Never considered patch kit cement. It'd be fun to run a tire with two of those flaps and try each approach side by side.

I am seeing convex curvature on both sides of this tire.
I strongly suspect that the casing here is suffering an outer-ply failure, which is why the casing bulges on each side, but in different locations coinciding with the diagonal path of the outer ply's cords.

After double checking I'm pretty sure the casing is still good. The tread has become separated near the slice but that occurred before the slice. Though I ride at 89 psi I pumped it up to 115 with no signs of bulging. Tire is a Challenge Strada 28x24. Thanks for noticing.https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a0e750db25.jpg

Tread separation is a known problem with Challenge tires (tubular and clincher). It would seem they've yet to solve it, though one never knows how old a tire is. It's not like they have a "use by" date stamped on them.

Storing Spare Tubs
 

I guess I seldom have new tubs hanging around, but just now I have 2 new Sprinters on spare GL330s inflated to 50psi.

How long do people store sewups this way, or once stretched do they fold them and put them back in the box. I’m inclined to leave them on the stretching rims indefinitely, periodically checking pressure.

When I take them off the rims, they go back to pre-stretched condition. Especially Sprinters. Luv that Sprinter-330 combo..

I guess I was wondering what the detriment of the basement environment and always being partially inflated would be on the tires as opposed to being put back in their box. Inflating them and hanging them, I have shown myself that they hold air.

I have a spare, unlaced Ambrosio rim, so I always have a brand new Conti mounted on it. Inflated. Never looses air.

I made a rack that holds tires in an oval like a long skinny auto racing track. Roughly 33 1/2" by 7". Holds about 20 tires. I put a gap in the center so you can drop a middle tire into the gap and easily work it past the rest to get it off and leave the rest undisturbed. Tires aren't "stretched" but do have all wrinkles and creases pulled out. Hanging in the garage out of any sunlight. My guess is that tires stored there should last until the rubber fails from ozone. (Plenty of powered shop tools but no house-hold motors or pumps. No engines of any sort,)

Now I just have to start building some more wheels to put them on. I'd like to have two pairs available per bike. GP4 and GEL330 or older Arc en Ciel. Biggest tire (or 28c+) that the bike can handle and a sweet and fast lighter tire. Sadly, one bike is stalled because that bike needs a rim with a deep sidewall. I picked up several Mavic CXP30s but the seller has misplaced the special washers they need for the spokes (and when Mavic announced the retirement of that rim, he bought all of Mavic's stock). So if anyone here has 64 or 96 or so of those washers lying around and generally getting in the way, I'll take them off their hands. (For the TiCycles fix gear of my avatar photo. I slide the wheel the entire length of the dropout to run from 12 to 14 teeth. Pad height relative to the rim changes a lot. Velocity Aeros have just enough depth to work. (No accident. The dropout angle was chosen so they would work.) GP4s and the like needn't even apply for the job.

I could cuss out the seller but he has done a lot for me. I knew what I was getting into and he added (at real cost but peanuts vs value) a pair of GEL330 wheels he built for his step daughter to take to the track nationals. Gorgeous gold Japanese track hub, double sided (I'd have to go out and look to recall the name but absolutely top of the line) built by a master wheel builder (him) with spokes tied and soldered perfectly. They've been ridden but never seen either pavement or a brake shoe. I'll be desecrating them taking them on the road, but I'll also be riding them in honor of a woman I consider a warrior and almost a sister. I've both watched and heard from her step dad how hard she worked to return to top form after nasty crashes. (I've been there.) She's retired from racing, the velodrome has been sold and will be ripped up. Her step dad's retired. And her wheels will go on under someone who knows what they are and cares where they came from. I think the gods will approve. (I've got Corsa Speed 25cs to glue on. I think they'd approve of that also.)

Totally Tubular
 

New sew-up wheels and tires:


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fb5cc8cc2d.jpg
Vittoria Corsa Control sew-ups

I saw a pair of unused tubular wheels on ebay, at the bargain price of $109. Silly me. Long story short - both were dished wrong, pulled an eyelet on the rear Weinmann Carrera, and replaced it with a FiR ST120. The Vittoria Corsa Control Graphene 2.0 front 30mm measures at 29, and the rear 28mm measures at 26, which gives me 4 to 5mm of clearance instead of 2 to 3.

The Zeus hubs are really graceful looking, and I went ahead and bought a Regina Oro French threaded freewheel (!) to be able to ride them. It needs a spacer, which I have, and the day after tomorrow is supposed to be sunny...

New Tufo S33 Pro-s for the upcoming season. Imo the best cheap tubulars out there.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cfab4cacbd.jpg

Merlin has some good prices today

veloflex raven 28 mm $44 https://www.merlincycles.com/en-us/v...0c-200100.html


of course there is shipping at 25 bucks or so

squirtdad I've seen Rally's priced higher than those Veleflex Raven tubulars! That's a great deal.

Speaking of which--- I Know it's a RALLY. Is it Worth Regluing the Base Tape?

I was finally able to replace the broken spokes on my vintage Roval rear wheel. Thanks to seagrade I received replacements from New Zealand!

Of course I had to demount the Vittoria Rally to replace the spokes. When I got ready to remount the tire, I noticed the base tape separating from the tire casing. Upon closer inspection, I realized the tape was coming off the complete circumference of the tire on both sides. Interestingly, the center, over the seam, remains glued securely.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bf7e77e757.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2e804862ba.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dc285b7adc.jpg
Is it worth regluing? If so, regular tubular glue or something different?

At the time, I set this Rally aside and mounted a new one I had and the wheels are ready to go back on my Lotus Super Pro Aero.

just ordered - thanks for the head's up!

In Olden Times, re-glueing base tape was a job for Barge. I would think it would be worth doing, even for just a spare. Not sure they sell Barge in small quantities anymore. I sure don't need a gallon...

Use the Rally as a spare. Those Veloflex Ravens are fantastic tires. Buy 4 from Merlincycles to help make up for the shipping and enjoy really nice tubulars.
Imho of course, but really they are a world of difference. Oh is the freewheel spa open for business yet?
Have fun.

Thanks for the suggestion about the spare and I might just order four Veloflexes.

Yes, the Spa is open and accepting freewheels in need of rejuvenation!

No idea how they compare (somebody tell me) but they also sell Vittoria Rubino Pro G+ 28mm for £35.
Same price for the last 9 months at least.
That's what I'm riding and they're fine so far.

Mounted my first tubulars yesterday! Merlin ships fast. Got covered in glue but went pretty well overall I think. Excited to try these out.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0122b45b0.jpeg

@pastorbobnlnh - Tire alert in FL will do just the base tape. You should use something stronger than typical tubular glue so the base tape doesn't get confused when you next remove the tire from the rim!

Thank you for that suggestion. I'll visit Tire Alert to see it is worth the expense.

His prices have gone up so a less expensive tire is hard to justify. But then again, if you have the time.....

Zeus hubs are definitely classy ! But I just wanted to give you props for a great vinyl record storage system !

Does anyone have a source for narrow (14mm) tubular gluing tape? Everything I see is wider, but I think for vintage rims it needs to be no wider than 14mm. I’m looking for a shop size roll - for maybe 12 wheelsets.

Barge cement. Here in Portland, the big Fred Meyers (But they'll only sell you a tube or two so you don't get too high) or a cobbler (as many larger tubes as I want).

I never used it for base tape. Didn't know about it when I last used them. So, thanks! (That Barge - good stuff.)