Tubular riders ... let's see your flat kit

grosso27

Inspired by the fairly large threads on hydration setups, I'd like to see one of flat kit setups, especially for us tubular riders.

I've got Racine 70.3 coming up, the first race this year I'll want to bring a spare tubie.  For sprints & olys, I don't bother.

I race on Conti Comps, and just picked up a Tufu S33 as a spare.  I know the crr is horrid, but I hear it rolls up super tiny.

Last year I used a Zipp Tangente as a spare & no matter what I did, it just wouldn't roll even reasonably small, hence the Tufo.

I don't have a pic yet b/c the kit is still in the planning phase, but the plan is as follows for Sub9/808 wheel combo:

Hutchinson FastAir w/ pre-installed crack pipe on top tube backed up to seat post, velcro or electrical tape.

Pre-glued Tufo Tubular, pre-installed 808 extender.  Tire rolled up, Co2 inside the roll.  Taped, velcroed, or zip tied under saddle rails.

I'll have a small razor blade stashed somewhere as well.

Sound good?  Any suggestions?

 

I'd love to see pics or details of your setup!

-Ed-

filarl

just in case you don't know this already (or anyone else looking to go tubular) do your self a HUGE favor and take the time to completely pre-stretch your spare. It's actually pretty quick to change a tubular flat during the race if it's been completely pre-stretched, otherwise, beware and I hope that you have strong hands. By pre-stretch, I mean fully inflate the tire and let it stay inflated for a day or so, then deflate and put it on a spare tubular wheel WITHOUT glue and fully inflate again and let it stay on for at least a full day or more. I struggle mightily to get those darn tubulars on the first time with no glue, but after being stretched it's not too bad. I tape mine with electrical tape to the front of the seat post where the bottle cage is located. I don't have enough room anywhere else for it.
Good luck!

thugbuster

Well, I just did IMCDA and I like to travel light. So I had a spare pre stretched, pre glued tire (conti sprinter) strapped to my xlab behind the seat (I would have removed the xlab, if I didn't need the straps, because I didn't actually use the rear cages). I had one tire lever and two Co2 canisters rubber banded together and stored in my bento box. That's it! Ditch the razor blade, I used one to get the tire off the used wheel I bought and it was not as easy as advertised ( took me a good 20 minutes to saw my way through it) and I would never want to wield a razor blade when the pressure is on. Good luck at your race!!!

kjanracing

I hose clamped a water bottle cage to my seat post and put a tire and co2 in it.

Dominic Malleo

@Ed - I like the setup of strapping my pre-glued/pre-stretched tubular on  xlab  cage holder as well.  I put my tools (1 CO2, 1 inflator loaded with a CO2) in my bento box behind the handlebar stem. 

I have had great success in races and training with Vittoria Pit Stop.  For a small leak or non-tear, hit the tire with the pit stop, maybe top off with CO2 (I do this), and you'll be rolling in seconds.  The pit stop can completely repair the tire and will liekly get you through the race.  If it only holds for a a while longer, you can still replace the tire but you didn't lose any time on the pit stop fix.

Also - if you glue your own tubulars, leave a 3-4 inch gap of unglued tubular opposite the valve stem (don't need more than that unglued).  If you flat, start tearing off the unglued portion first.  Not having to break that initial glued area during the race will save time.  Only do this if you're comfortable though b/c I'd hate to have you roll a tire off the rim.  I do it and it works well.

I always keep an extra tubular, CO2 and pit stip in my bike special needs.  Didn't get these the BSN back last time, so caution about putting your most expensive tubular in there I'll leave a training tire spare in BSN that I don't care about.  The good spare is on my bike.

Best of luck,

Dominic