Tutti-frutti rubber on the Tour...

[catulle]

I see a lot of bright colored tires (?) on the Tour. I assume they are clinchers. Any idea what's the clinchers to tubulars ratio at the Tour? Thank you kindly for all responses.

[bostondrunk]

I see a lot of bright colored tires (?) on the Tour. I assume they are clinchers. Any idea what's the clinchers to tubulars ratio at the Tour? Thank you kindly for all responses.

why would you assume they are clinchers?? chances are they are still tubies, because pros know what works best.

[catulle]

why would you assume they are clinchers?? chances are they are still tubies, because pros know what works best.

I've never seen any multi-colored tubulars. I mean, not with different color stripes and so on. Are there any? I just don't know, atmo.

[coylifut]

I've seen em labled as Michelins. I'm sure there's more.

[catulle]

I've seen em labled as Michelins. I'm sure there's more.

Multi-colored Michelin tubulars? I'll look them up just for curiosity's sake. Thanx.

[bostondrunk]

Multi-colored Michelin tubulars? I'll look them up just for curiosity's sake. Thanx.

Many tires are made/relabelled just for the pros. I wouldn't count on finding them at your local bike shop.
Just buy some Conti Comp 22's.

[flydhest]

Catulle,
Think about the fact that pros have had frames made and then repainted with the sponsors name. The same thing happens with tires.

[victoryfactory]

Pros ride tubulars because:

1. they perform better (marginally)
2. They don't have to pay for them
3. They are safer in high speed blowouts, because they're
glued to the rims.
4. They can afford to pay someone to stretch, season, mount and
change flats.

VF

[bostondrunk]

Pros ride tubulars because:

4. They can afford to pay someone to stretch, season, mount and
change flats.
VF

Stretching and 'seasoning' (with steak spice?) is not necessary.

My 'zen-like' approach:
1. take conti sprinter out of box.
2. spread half tube of glue on rim.
3. right after spreading glue, pull tire onto rim.
4. inflate half way and make sure tire is straight.
5. inflate to pressure, and leave overnight.

10 minutes if I'm going slow.
On the road:
1. tear flat off and toss onto nearest front lawn.
2. pull spare on and inflate.
3. Watch Too Tall still trying to repair pinch flat on someone elses wheel.

[victoryfactory]

I rode tubulars for the first 10 years of my road cycling experience (1970's)
Mainly because they didn't have good clinchers back then.

My memory of them is basically negative.

Put on a brand new one, get a flat on the first ride
or
Put on another new one, there is a lump every time the wheel rolls
past the valve.
or
Carry 2 extras folded up on long rides, very bulky.
also
VERY expensive, we used to cut the stiches, pull out the little pink
tube, patch it, replace and sew it back up...
sort of like doing an apendectomy on a cat.
I guess that is why they call 'em "sew-ups"
Do they still call them sew-ups? Or am I showing my age?

VF

[catulle]

Many tires are made/relabelled just for the pros. I wouldn't count on finding them at your local bike shop.
Just buy some Conti Comp 22's.

19mm Comps on my Velocity rims, bubba. Too bad they´re all black, though, atmo.

[Too Tall]

Can't help it drunkman. When we have a man down, "the training" kicks in. Best to stand back a few steps ;)

[obtuse]

19mm Comps on my Velocity rims, bubba. Too bad they´re all black, though, atmo.


19mm tubulars why?

obtuse