Originally Posted by
nickw
Did you read what I wrote? I realize what kind of tubulars you were using, which is why I said they are essentially 'tubeless' tubulars. That's why you are not flatting and further to my point of if you used a high end race tubulars that have a latex tubes (like the FMB's I mentioned) you'd be flatting often. It has nothing to do with it being a tubular per se but rather a tubeless version of them.
I honestly can't remember the last time I pinch flatted a tube on a road bike, it's been 10 years....at least.
YES - thank you. We agree on the tubeless nature of the tubulars that I use being a benefit in avoiding flats. I'm glad you now agree that the tubeless nature of my tires contributed to the marked improvement in flats. Seems to me that strongly supports my argument for tubeless tires while touring. Not the only choice certainly, but a very good choice. Please note that was part of my argument above.
FWIW, I did get pinch flats and those have been eliminated with tubeless clincher tires and with tubulars (I have also run tubed tubulars and have never gotten a pinch flat with them either). I did get pinch flats on occasion with tubed clinchers.
The whole rotating weight thing has been played out and hashed out ad naseum. Acceleration up may be slower but you gain on the back end...they carry inertia better and will pull you further along once you stop pedaling. For racing, sprinting, quick accelerations it (kinda) matters (but probably overstated), for sustained riding it doesn't matter. Particularly not for touring, of all things. I could post links but you can google as easily as me. Regardless, it's a total weight game that matters, aka total bike weight, that's going to hinder you on climbs.
I have two bikes that are virtually the same weight, or at least that I have set up that way. One has a heavier frame and I equipped it with my significantly lighter wheels and tires. The other has a lighter frame and I equipped it with my somewhat heavier wheels and tires. Difference between wheel sets with tires is about 400g. I then rode the same relatively hilly routes multiple times and compared them through Strava. Without question, there was a speed benefit to using the lighter wheels. Same weight bikes only difference was moving weight from wheels to frame. If you want to run heavier wheels, far be it from me to tell you otherwise and I wouldn't presume to. I am very comfortable with my choice.
Tires are the last place you wanna skimp on a tour.
I'm not skimping, quite the opposite.