Tubular tire "flat tire" essentials

[carpediemracing]

On old school narrow rims I'd just ride the flat home. Except for turns you can go quite fast on a flat tubular, almost regular speeds. My old school rims were metal also, and basically meant to be disposable, so hitting potholes/etc wasn't a concern. A few times I'd ridden about 10-12 miles on a flat.

With the current crop of wider carbon rims, I learned the hard way that it's virtually impossible ride a flat on such a rim. If using tubulars on a training ride (usually to make sure everything is good before a race) I stay relatively close to home as I figure I can ride a mile or so on a flat if I absolutely have to.

[stephanegti]

Interesting that some of you had bad experience with pre-treating your tubular tires with sealant. "The sealant dries up in a ball etc"....

Not sure if I want to pre-treat now $$$. I will need to think about that one.

Instead of Vittoria Pitt stop or TUFU extreme I will buy a small bottle of Orange sealant and carry it with me along with a valve core remover. As last resort a spare tub, tape with C02 or mini pump.


Oh and a cell phone to call the team car....lol


Thanks again this is really helpful

stephanegti

[robt57]

Originally Posted by stephanegti

Not sure if I want to pre-treat now $$$. I will need to think about that one.

.....I will buy a small bottle of Orange sealant and carry it with me along with a valve core remover.

Same take away for me...

[teleguy57]

I've posted my setup a few times before:

• full-length frame pump
• bottle of sealant (Orange or Bontrager)
• valve core removal tool
• small flat-blade screwdriver with edges rounded to pry old tire off if necessary
• pre-glued spare in Arundel Tubi under seat, or two spares in a Jannd Dual bag if I'm going way long with no cell service

The latter is like belt and suspenders -- maybe two pair of suspenders even.

Tried pretreating with sealant once with a bad experience. Have used sealant on the road several times and got me home without going to my spare all but once. Was able to ride each of the on-the-road treated tires until the tread wore out.

BTW, have loaned my spare tubie to a friend who flatted his clinchers without a spare tube. Got him home.

[djdj]

Originally Posted by GOTHBROOKS

i just take a can of pittstop and hope for the best.

This. Plus a phone.

[robt57]

Who doesn't take phone on rides? Rhetorical question.

[Tim Porter]

I'm in the camp that carries a pre-glued spare (secured with an old toe strap), a mini pump, sometimes a small bottle of sealant, and a valve removal tool. In the same little Rapha bag that carries the removal tool, my ID, my phone, etc., I carry a single edged razor blade with some protective electrical tape wrapped around it to cut a blown out tubular right off the rim if necessary.

You may cringe at the idea, but it weighs nothing and if you have a puncture that makes the tire clearly beyond saving, just cut that sucker off and be on your way. (But put the used one in your pocket to throw away at home, of course.)

The consensus also seems to be that the Pit-Stop stuff is not worth it. I agree, for sure. It sucks.

[Tz779]

wear gloves. that way you can reach down and rub glass or whatever debris off your tires bf it gets embedded into the tread. tires last much longer w/o a flat.
i just fold up an old tire w some old glue on it in a sock, with a CO2 inflator, some nytril or latex gloves, old toe strap holds it under my seat. if you are touring, a pump may be better. take it easy in corners so tire does not roll off! again, if you are touring, use the tape to stick the tire securely. glue takes time to dry. you dont need levers to pry tire off, i have always gotten the tire off with my hands. imho.

[djdj]

Originally Posted by Tim Porter

The consensus also seems to be that the Pit-Stop stuff is not worth it. I agree, for sure. It sucks.

I disagree. If you follow the directions carefully, it "works." That is, as well as a sealant can work; large holes won't seal of course.

[fijichf]

PS...if you puncture and plan on removing the valve core and adding sealant, take this advice. Pump first and gauge the size of the hole before deciding to either add sealant or remove the tire and replace with the spare. Ask me how I know...