Tubular tires

[hypnos]

I don't get it. How do you repair a flat tubular tire? Can they be repaired, or do they go in the trash barrel?

[Johny]

I don't get it. How do you repair a flat tubular tire? Can they be repaired, or do they go in the trash barrel?

Can be repaired but they better go in the trash barrel.

[theoldman]

Most tubulars can be repaired (Tufo's are the exception). It takes anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending upon experience. A repaired tubular is as reliable as a tire that has never had a flat; if repaired correctly.

A decent reference on the web is:

http://www.yellowjersey.org/tubfix.html

They walk you through the process. Get yourself a tubular patch kit - Velox. You can get the kit through most stores that sell tubulars. On the web, Excelsports.com sells them.

Repairing a tubular is no big deal. I carry a repair kit with me and if necessary, I could path a tire on the road (As in worse case scenario, two flats on one ride). It has not happened yet, but it would not be the end of the world either.

If you do not want to patch a tubular tire, there is a service that will repair the tire for you.

http://www.tirealert.com/

They actually take apart the tire, change the tube and re-sew the tire. They charge $20 each or $16.00 in two or more.