Help Please - Tubular Tires

[CaptStash]

Hey guys,

I am making a foray into tubular tires and need some helping sorting things out. I ordered some continental Gatorskin tubulars, and received regular Continental Sprinters. I realize now I should have asked advice before ordering tires, but am now trying to figure out what to do. So questions:

1. Are Sprinters ok for all around use?
2. Are Gatorskins better and longer lasting?
3. Did I screw up entirely such that I should just send them back and order something else entirely? (I paid $100 delivered for the pair which seemed like a good deal.)
4. Any reason not to use Tufo tape on carbon rims?

Thanks in advance.

Saul aka CaptStash....

[FlashUNC]

Going into tubulars and using Gatorskins is like buying a Ferrari and swapping a 2 stroke Saab engine into it to save on gas mileage. Its kind of removing everything that makes the original enjoyable.

The Sprinters are fine tires and that sounds like a pretty solid price. Whoever sent you the Sprinters did you a favor. I don't understand why Gatorskin tubulars exist.

The tape will be easy for install, but you'll hate removal when it comes time to get the tires off.

[deechee]

Recently started riding tubulars, the Sprinter seems fine to me. I ride mostly on a smooth road, but have to ride through ~2km of gravel to go where I like, and I've never had an issue.

The wheels I picked up came with tufo tape, one wheel was super easy to clean off, the other, not so much. Both were pretty hard to initially pull off. Not sure how I'd fare at a race. Anyway, switched to glue for now since the shop near me only had glue at the time I had my first flat.

[kgreene10]

Lennard Zinn at Velonews loves a new tape by Effeto Mariposa called Carogna. Tufo, not so much.

[oldpotatoe]

Hey guys,

I am making a foray into tubular tires and need some helping sorting things out. I ordered some continental Gatorskin tubulars, and received regular Continental Sprinters. I realize now I should have asked advice before ordering tires, but am now trying to figure out what to do. So questions:

1. Are Sprinters ok for all around use?
2. Are Gatorskins better and longer lasting?
3. Did I screw up entirely such that I should just send them back and order something else entirely? (I paid $100 delivered for the pair which seemed like a good deal.)
4. Any reason not to use Tufo tape on carbon rims?

Thanks in advance.

Saul aka CaptStash....
1.Yes
2.Gatorskins have more 'stuff' in the sidewalks so cut less easily.
3.No just use them
4.the only advantage to tape is you can ride right away. But more than a few disadvantages like goop left over after taking the tire off and 'some' instances of taking carbon off the rim when you remove the tape...use glue, I like Panaracer.

[Ralph]

1.Yes
2.Gatorskins have more 'stuff' in the sidewalks so cut less easily.
3.No just use them
4.the only advantage to tape is you can ride right away. But more than a few disadvantages like goop left over after taking the tire off and 'some' instances of taking carbon off the rim when you remove the tape...use glue, I like Panaracer.

Good advice. That is what I would do if I ever decided to go back to tubulars after using them for 30 years. Doubt if I ever go back though. Sprinters good all around tire. Maybe best. Use glue....so simple to use. Just keep some mineral spirits handy to clean your finger and around the rim edge.

[denapista]

Never buy tubulars with the intent on running crappy tires. Defeats the benefits of riding a tubular tire. Most run tubular tires for the sublime feel of the Latex tube and hand made construction.

Conti sprinters are regarded as one of the nicer tubular tires, granted Conti tubular tires use butyl inner tubes. It should last you some time, and just remember to run them low. Running a tubular tire with high air pressure, is like riding on balloons ready to pop at the slightest pebble.

[Lionel]

Hey guys,

I am making a foray into tubular tires and need some helping sorting things out. I ordered some continental Gatorskin tubulars, and received regular Continental Sprinters. I realize now I should have asked advice before ordering tires, but am now trying to figure out what to do. So questions:

1. Are Sprinters ok for all around use?
2. Are Gatorskins better and longer lasting?
3. Did I screw up entirely such that I should just send them back and order something else entirely? (I paid $100 delivered for the pair which seemed like a good deal.)
4. Any reason not to use Tufo tape on carbon rims?

Thanks in advance.

Saul aka CaptStash....

Here is another take on it

1. No
2. Does not matter, see 1
3. Yes
4. Yes, many

[denapista]

I don't like tape. Glue. Mastik to be exact. The best!

With tape I always felt my tires moving in fast turns. Wasn't a good feel at all.

[fogrider]

as others have said, sprinters are good for all around, no need to go with gaterskins. sprinters are not the most supple, but they are durable and hold air well. I would try to keep the psi on the low side, but test it out and see what works for you. I have them on 2 bikes.

do a search and vittoria corsas have gotten good reviews. I just mounted a pair three weeks ago and I like them fine.

I've used tape and glue. both will work. most times I use glue and its fine. if this is your first time, go for the full experience and use glue. contis mount tight (another reason to go with glue as tape will be another layer on the rim), so be sure to pull on the tire from the start when mounting. I like to use a toe strap to hold down one side and work from other side with both hands.

[Ralph]

If you have never done this before, and if you don't have a set of old rims to pre stretch the tires.....I advise installing them on the rim a couple of times without glue or tape to get the hang of it, inflating them to stretch them a tad, and leave over night. When you got that figured out, then do it with some glue.

[classtimesailer]

If you have never done this before, and if you don't have a set of old rims to pre stretch the tires.....I advise installing them on the rim a couple of times without glue or tape to get the hang of it, inflating them to stretch them a tad, and leave over night. When you got that figured out, then do it with some glue.


Yep. What Ralph said. My first tubulars were Gatorskins. I chose them to decrease the likely hood of flats. I would return the sprinters and get what you thought you ordered. If you quickly flat one of those sprinters, you will be bummed. You should have a spare tire. Maybe keep the sprinters and order the Gatorskins. Glue. If you follow Continental's directions (I did), make each coat of glue VERY thin (I didn't).

[zmudshark]

Conti Sprinters are my go to. I do have Sprinter Gatorskins on one rear here in MI, but the roads are really bad. Keep the Sprinters, they're plenty durable.

Use carbon glue on carbon rims, I think (no carbon here). I hate tape, you may like it. I carry a preglued spare and some Pitstop.

[zmudshark]

I like to use a toe strap to hold down one side and work from other side with both hands.

Old school tip, right there, folks ;)

[CaptStash]

Thanks for all the advice. I knew I could count on the group!

My plan: Keep the Sprinters.
Get a spare.
Glue - skip the tape.
Mount and inflate without glue to pre-stretch the tires.
Practice practice practice.
Mount for real - really thin layer of glue. Inflate to...100psi?
Go ride.

Thanks again.

CaptStash....

[FlashUNC]

Stretch, stretch, stretch. Every Conti I've mounted has been a bear to get on. But I do really like their Competitions.

[deechee]

I kind of feel like the spare tire thing is a chicken and egg with tubulars. People recommend an old tire as a spare, but if you've never ridden them...

Anyway, the pre-stretch thing is true. I know some people disagree, but I was able to stretch a tubular on a clincher rim, 140psi. As I'm sure you already saw, there are a billion opinions on how to glue a tub. I trust oldpotatoe here, and he has a pretty simple way of gluing tires which doesn't have the new tire sitting around too long after being taken off the stretcher rim. That made a huge difference for me when I mounted a tubular the 2nd time around...

I don't have a toe clip strap like some guys here so I'm environmentally irresponsible and use zipties. They work real good too. Keep zipping the tire onto the rim - if its really stubborn i can use 5-6 ties.

[lhuerta]

Going into tubulars and using Gatorskins is like buying a Ferrari and swapping a 2 stroke Saab engine into it to save on gas mileage. Its kind of removing everything that makes the original enjoyable.

The Sprinters are fine tires and that sounds like a pretty solid price. Whoever sent you the Sprinters did you a favor. I don't understand why Gatorskin tubulars exist.


+1...this is even better than the Gatorskins are like riding frozen water hoses analogy.

OP...you should call the mail-order place and thank them that they didn't send you Gatorskins...maybe next time they will do you an even bigger solid and send you some Vitt Corsas or Paves. The Sprinters are fine (I use as my spares) but will be a bitch to mount so you will need to stretch for a while.

If you are going to foray in to tubulars then jump in the deep end. Skip the tape and get some Mastik. Search this forum or other forums for tutorials on how to glue...its not rocket science, just involves a bit of finesse.
Lou

[ultraman6970]

Learn to glue the tubulars.... I like the tape but at the time to remove the tubular you will understand why some are recommending glue. You can do a fairly clean gluing work too, you have to just figure it out and learn.

Keep what you bought.

I got a gatorskin from a friend and the thing is still rolling even thought you can see the under threads already, just waiting to get a flat to ride back home flat and put it in the trash :p But cant complain, good stuff. Same with veloflex eventhought the last one got a bubble and finally blew in my last ride.

About punctures.. you need to have some luck too. I have used really crappy tubulars (3x50 bucks) and never get punctures with them. I have used expensive ones and had the bad luck to puncture them at the 1st ride. So factor that unscientific fact at the time to spend your money too.

Good luck :)

[beeemmjay]

I've been running the Conti Comps (25s), taped for a couple of seasons.
Generally, they're great.
Before I ran FMBs, but for some reason they kept delaminating.
I preferred their ride quality, but the Conti's have been rock solid.
If I switch to another tire, I think I'll give Challenge a shot.
I've tried Vittorias before, but didn't like them compared to the Contis or FMBs, they felt a little harsh in contrast.

[oldpotatoe]

I've been running the Conti Comps (25s), taped for a couple of seasons.
Generally, they're great.
Before I ran FMBs, but for some reason they kept delaminating.
I preferred their ride quality, but the Conti's have been rock solid.
If I switch to another tire, I think I'll give Challenge a shot.
I've tried Vittorias before, but didn't like them compared to the Contis or FMBs, they felt a little harsh in contrast.

FMB and Dugast, the tread is 'cold vulcanized', meaning just glued on. Where the others are 'hot' vulcanized, meaning 'vulcanized', a chemical process to keep the tread on mo better.

Vittoria Corsa Elite-290 tpi, buytl tube..not expensive, really nice, IMHO.

[redir]

I never really liked any of the Conti tubulars I've tried but they are certainly good enough. A few comments I agree with are 1) don't get cheap tubulars as it defeats the purpose, 2) use glue, 3) Mastik One is the best glue.

Use what ever method you want to glue on tires but don't get trapped in a bunch of old wives tales and voodoo about how it's done. They don't need to mature in a dark basement for 5 years and you don't need to apply glue, wait 3 days, sacrifice a goat, apply one more coat and then mount to do it right.

One coat on the tire, one coat on the rim, one more very thin coat on the tire, wait till it's just about dry then mount. Believe it or not you can ride it right away but it's a better idea to wait 24 hours.

[oldpotatoe]

I never really liked any of the Conti tubulars I've tried but they are certainly good enough. A few comments I agree with are 1) don't get cheap tubulars as it defeats the purpose, 2) use glue, 3) Mastik One is the best glue.

Use what ever method you want to glue on tires but don't get trapped in a bunch of old wives tales and voodoo about how it's done. They don't need to mature in a dark basement for 5 years and you don't need to apply glue, wait 3 days, sacrifice a goat, apply one more coat and then mount to do it right.

One coat on the tire, one coat on the rim, one more very thin coat on the tire, wait till it's just about dry then mount. Believe it or not you can ride it right away but it's a better idea to wait 24 hours.

Ya really ought to try Panaracer. Clear, doesn't dry after opening the can(my big gripe with Vittoria), cheaper. My favorite.

[redir]

I tried the Panaracer before and I think I had a bad batch that tainted my view of it forever. It was in a tube and I think maybe dried out. I may give it a go again some time.

In either case +1 for getting cans of glue the tubes are more expensive and with a little plumbers flux brush the cans are easy to use. If my Mastik dries up I just put a few drops of Goof Off in and mix it back up.