Tubular tyre & wheel dilemma

boogercj

I've recently purchased a second hand late 70's sprint bike which has tubeless tyres and Campag Record track hubs with 5 speed freewheel. I'm a bit of a beginner when it comes to road stuff but I'm going to be using this mainly for road riding around Devon - a bit of early morning fitness riding etc.

Q: Are tubular tyres and track hubs completely innappropriate for the kind of riding I want to do? I'm a bit apprehensive about selling them since the bike is completely orginal and there were only a handful made so I'm told. I'll also have to get the dropouts cold set to accomodate a modern sized hub...

maddog 2

you mean 'tubular' or 'tubs'

tubeless is something else and not what you've got

8)

boogercj

Sorry - yes - tubular... :oops: Told you I was a beginner!

inseine

Track hubs and 5 speed? Sprint bike?
Do you mean they are bolt on wheels (no quick release)? Track hubs take a fixed sprocket not a freewheel.
No reason you can't ride tubs but they are more phaff and you need to take a spare, preferable a used one with glue/tape already in place. Get yourself some more heavy duty tubs too.
A photo would be nice, or at least more info.

Monty Dog

I would suggest that you get the wheels rebuilt with a clincher rim - tubular tyres are great for performance but less suited for everyday use and use the rest of the remaining drivetrain - there's no reason why it can't be used for everyday use, but does need a little more TLC in comparison to modern stuff.
In terms of your terminology, a track hub only takes a single sprocket, what you have is an old style road hub that takes a screw-on 5 speed freewheel.
If you're thinking about swapping to a modern drivetrain, to say yourself a lot of bother you're probably better selling the whole bike and buying something more recent - there's a healthy market in old road bikes and it'll be worth more in it's original condition than it would be with a mish-mash of parts, particularly if it's a quality frame with Campagnolo parts as you suggest - post a photo if you want advise.

boogercj

Cheers for the replies - and apologies for the poor terminology! The reason i thought they were track hubs is that they have a really high flange and are quite skinny, but I see the error of my ways! I definitely want to keep the bike and I want to keep it as intact as possible - stupidly I hadn't even considered getting the wheels rebuilt. I think I need more coffee! :oops:

Pics:

inseine

You've got large flange hubs. They were the thing at the time and it was a nice bike of its era, it's only the brake levers which are a bit low rent.

boogercj

Thanks, on that note can anyone recommend some good value, (i.e £60 or less for the pair) strong rims ( I weight 95kg) for all weather "just going for a ride" usage? Strength is definitely more important than weight here as I'm not up for breaking any land speed records - just trying to stay fit and enjoy riding around!

Mavic Open Sport? :?:

Mike67

Rigida Chrina seem pretty sturdy in their construction and have a more traditional profile if that's what you're after, good price too here:
http://www.parker-international.co.uk/c/65/Rims---Clincher.html

Mavic CXP22 is also a strong rim but, bit more pricey but has a more aero profile.

ugo.santalucia

The bike is lovely and I agree for every day use you want clinchers.

If you go for a clincher rebuild, I wouldn't fit Rigida Chrina rims, as suggested... they're overengineered for your needs... 700 grams for a rim is ridiculous. Even my cross bike rims, which have done Paris Roubaix, Flanders and other stuff are only 500 grams each. I'm not obsessed by weight, but you won't enjoy cycling around with a couple of rotating stones.

If you want a good pair of solid rims that can take a battering, don't weigh too much and don't cost the earth, Ambrosio Evolution are excellent... at 27 pounds each.
The large flange hubs are lovely, keep them.

Mike67

They are on the heavy side, not quite 700g though, for info the Chrina rims are listed at 590g. (You're not thinking of the Sputnik are you ugo.santalucia?)

I was going for strength over weight as the boogercj himself seemed to be leaning that way.

ugo.santalucia

Mike67 wrote:

They are on the heavy side, not quite 700g though, for info the Chrina rims are listed at 590g. (You're not thinking of the Sputnik are you ugo.santalucia?)

I was going for strength over weight as the boogercj himself seemed to be leaning that way.

Well, even 590 is not exactly a feather, is it? I know Tom Boonen rides the Excellence at Roubaix/Flanders and they're 460... the evolution are a bit sturdier at 480 g... in my view with 32 spokes will go anywhere, with 36 will go anywhere even with a big lad on. The old flange is likely to be a 36 (can't be bothered to count)

blackhands

Firstly, how many spokes in the back wheel - this may determine what rims you can get hold of.

kilo

"Rigida Chrina seem pretty sturdy in their construction and have a more traditional profile if that's what you're after, good price too here: "

Avoid these rims they are an absolute bitch to put tyres on, I tried with gatorskins, some schwalbe tyres and pro race 3's and it took ages, tyre levers and required the use of both hands and one foot to get them on.Get something by Mavic or DT Swiss instead