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Tubular Wheels and Tires - Recommendations?

Dino SartiDino Sarti
in General Training Discussions

I have been thinking about tubular wheels for a while now and am ready to make the plunge, but I am looking for some thoughts from guys who are using them regarding make and manufacturers.  I already know all the good bad and ugly about glue, long falt fixes ect..  My mind is made up, now I am looking for the best choice.

I am looking for a set for my road bike.  This WILL NOT be for racing.  I am looking for a nice set to training on with my roadie.  I have heard way to many nightmares about glue and changing them to ever race with them.  For racing I will stick with clinchers.  I have had a lot of practice changing them and can easily get one done in under 240 seconds without sending my pulse or stress level the sky-rocketing.

For racing on my tri-bike I will stick with my ZIPP 404 clinchers and PT hub.  For my road bike I am looking for some light carbon tubulars that will not break the bank, are light for climbing and are not real deep or aero.  I want something strong I can rip around on.  I already have 404's for my TT Bike and really don't like or need deep wheels on my road bike.  I think 35mm is about as deep as I want to go.

Any thoughts? 

Comments

  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    Don't most people that race with tubulars train with clinchers? There's a reason they do that.
  • novaavantnovaavant
    I train with clinchers but race with tubulars because it's expensive IMHO to train on tubulars. There is a guy online that fixes tubulars and you will need this if you flat a lot on $80 tubulars here: http://www.tirealert.com/tirealert/Prices.html
    If you ever want to give Cyclocross a try in the fall then I would get a nice set of 303s but get the cyclocross version with the extra spokes and build on the rim bed. This gives you 2 wheelsets for the price of 1. You can glue up training tires in the summer then switch to cross in the fall. This is what I do and it works out well since you can run super low pressures on tubulars for cross and then run high pressure for road tires.

  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    @Bob - I get it. I am often going against the grain.... I don't have any wheels or other gear that I only use for racing. That doesn't make any sense to me. Many would argue that my 404 clinchers are race wheels, but I use them everyday on TT bike. I don't see the wisdom in buying a set to use for 3-4 "A" races per year while I use sub-optimal stuff for my 5-7 hours of weekly riding. When I buy something, I want to use it. I treat it well, but intend to ride it into the group and then replace it.

    All that being said, I don't want to jeopardize my race execution using a tubular that could cost massive time. When I was at Wildflower I saw a guy double flat. Someone was able to give him another tube and was back to racing (he only had 1 tube on him). I don't think tubluars are easy to come by or change on the course. That's why clinchers and less than 240 second tube change are for racing. But, for group roadie rides and training in the hills, I think tubulars would be fun to try... Just my thinking....

    @Attilla - Not sure how I would get into the Cyclocross scene, but I like your thinking.... image
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    Well, for those keeping track.... I settled on the Enve Carbon Tubulars. They super light and and I think pretty clean. Both wheels with tubular tires on and inflated are just under 3 pounds...

    Now... My adventure with glue begins.... image

    image

    Any tips from the veterans? How do you guys ride? Do you relay on the "Pit Stop" type products or do fold up a tubular tire and stick it in the jersey? For "middle of nowhere" type rides I think I will go clincher....
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