Tubs or Clinchers

CamR

All,

I have never ridden on tubs but fancy getting a pair of Aero wheels.

The LBS reckons they can do a good deal on some Aero rims fitted with Tubs, the same wheel as a clincher is more expensive and heavier.

My concern with tubs would be puncturing when I was out, cycling 50miles home on a flat sounds like hard work. The LBS mentioned that you can get a latex liquid for the tub that would help prevent punctures.

Any comments, experience?

tvm

Cam

danowat

Tubs for racing (carry a spare or can of "pitstop", clinchers for everything else.

Although the "real world" time difference between them is (in my short experiance) is minimal.

magliaceleste

Or carry a spare tub? (and Pit Stop / Stans if you want)

gmb

Tubs are easier to change than clinchers (bit of controversy there ladies and gentlemen) but are, obviously, a bit bulkier than just carrying a couple of spare inner tubes.

The only issue is the expense. I had to replace one Tubular last year compared to six inner tubes the year before so it seemed to work out okay for me. (I may have just been lucky!!).

rolf_f

GMB wrote:

Tubs are easier to change than clinchers (bit of controversy there ladies and gentlemen) but are, obviously, a bit bulkier than just carrying a couple of spare inner tubes.

The only issue is the expense. I had to replace one Tubular last year compared to six inner tubes (if you have no shame and are too lazy to repair them) the year before so it seemed to work out okay for me. (I may have just been lucky!!).

FTFY

dennisn

CamR wrote:

My concern with tubs would be puncturing when I was out, cycling 50miles home on a flat sounds like hard work. The LBS mentioned that you can get a latex liquid for the tub that would help prevent punctures.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS carry a spare tubular. Did I mention ALWAYS? All that's required of a spare is that it be a tubular. Buy a couple of cheap ones, no particular brand, when you see them on sale. I recommend using Tufo Tape instead of glue. Much easier to apply
and less time consuming than glue. As for tub brands, well, I like Tufo's and Continental Sprinters. Both good, sturdy, smooth riding tires at a reasonable price. IMHO.

CamR

dennisn wrote:

CamR wrote:

My concern with tubs would be puncturing when I was out, cycling 50miles home on a flat sounds like hard work. The LBS mentioned that you can get a latex liquid for the tub that would help prevent punctures.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS carry a spare tubular. Did I mention ALWAYS? All that's required of a spare is that it be a tubular. Buy a couple of cheap ones, no particular brand, when you see them on sale. I recommend using Tufo Tape instead of glue. Much easier to apply
and less time consuming than glue. As for tub brands, well, I like Tufo's and Continental Sprinters. Both good, sturdy, smooth riding tires at a reasonable price. IMHO.

How long would it take from flatting to setting of again if you need to change a tub?

Cam

gmb

Rolf F wrote:

GMB wrote:

Tubs are easier to change than clinchers (bit of controversy there ladies and gentlemen) but are, obviously, a bit bulkier than just carrying a couple of spare inner tubes.

The only issue is the expense. I had to replace one Tubular last year compared to six inner tubes (if you have no shame and are too lazy to repair them) the year before so it seemed to work out okay for me. (I may have just been lucky!!).

FTFY

Guilty as charged!! :oops:

As to how long it takes - if you have a pre-glued spare it is quicker than changing a tube.

dennisn

CamR wrote:

dennisn wrote:

CamR wrote:

My concern with tubs would be puncturing when I was out, cycling 50miles home on a flat sounds like hard work. The LBS mentioned that you can get a latex liquid for the tub that would help prevent punctures.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS carry a spare tubular. Did I mention ALWAYS? All that's required of a spare is that it be a tubular. Buy a couple of cheap ones, no particular brand, when you see them on sale. I recommend using Tufo Tape instead of glue. Much easier to apply
and less time consuming than glue. As for tub brands, well, I like Tufo's and Continental Sprinters. Both good, sturdy, smooth riding tires at a reasonable price. IMHO.

How long would it take from flatting to setting of again if you need to change a tub?

Cam

It seems that a lot of triathletes use tubulars because they are quicker to change. However, some don't glue them on quite as thoroughly as road riders do. In any case it's a simple matter to take the wheel off the bike, remove the flatted tub(this can can be a bit difficult- peeling it off the rim), throw on the spare(no need for glue-just take it easy for the rest of the ride-no fast cornering or fast downhills). Generally an easier and faster change out than clinchers. Once home repair tub or glue on a new one.

CamR

Thanks for all the responses. It has me seriously considering using tubs.

Cam

Mike67

Hate to be the portent of doom but what if you get a second p***ture?
With the state the roads are in at the moment one bad pothole could take both tyres out, or is that less likely with a tub?

Call me a pessimist but I carry two spare inners as well as patches on a long ride.

inseine

I always give the same answer ( this question comes up weekly) which someone wrote on here, which was on the lines of 'if you have to ask, don't '.

Ciclicasati

I too had recently been tempted by tubs but in the end went for clinchers.Not too long after i got a double puncture. I thanked my lucky stars i had paid up for the clinchers otherwise id have lost a couple of friends, a few hours of my life walking to the nearest taxi serviced road and a few quid on the fare home, laughed all the way by clincher riding folk enjoying their carefree day out, patches and spare inners neatly packed away in a saddle pouch. Oh and i have clinchers si i can ride in the rain no probs, can swap wheels without worrying about brake pads (provided you're considering carbon tubs).
Tubs if you're racing or old or your missus doesnt mind coming to pick you up.
Clincher for every thing else.

IMO.

cougie

Never ride on a flat tub. Guy at the club shagged his carbon disc by riding the last 2 miles of a TT.

Tyres are far better value for me - conti gp 4000s tyres are excellent but the tub version gave me two flats on one ride. £120 worth I think ?

If you are racing then tubs but otherwise tyres are better.

magliaceleste

It's pinch punctures that are a lot less likely on a tub. Thorns and flints could still cause a problem.

Don't understand the post two above, people ride in the rain on tubs - in fact serious cyclocross riders typically use tubs...yeah carbon rims don't brake as well but you can get carbon clinchers too?

Having said all that, I also run alu clinchers at the moment but tempted.

Ciclicasati

Carbon tubs have a carbon base for the braking surface. When this is covered in water and grime it doesnt behave as regularly as aluminium. Sometimes it can be fine but i wouldnt trust them for stopping from 30 in the wet if needs be, certainly so as im used to the reliability of an aluminium surface..(ps ive not ridden tubs so this is all what ive gleamed-happy to be told otherwise). Cross bikes have better brakes.

Pokerface

Mike67 wrote:

Hate to be the portent of doom but what if you get a second p***ture?
With the state the roads are in at the moment one bad pothole could take both tyres out, or is that less likely with a tub?

Call me a pessimist but I carry two spare inners as well as patches on a long ride.

How many people carry more than one spare? Not many I'd wager. Plus you have to be pretty unlucky to do the double. :oops:

desmosedici

Been using a mix of tubs and clinchers, depending on which bike I take out.

So far, in 3 years of riding, it's been

Tubs - 4 punctures

Clinchers - 9 punctures.

Yes, I know, too many variables to make a valid comparison for puncture resistance, but I prefer the road "feel" of tubs. Very subjective, for me, it's a personal choice.

If riding with tubs I carry one spare for rides where there's a large group with people willing to come rescue me in case of the dreaded double puncture. For longer rides, 2 tubs, one strapped under the seat, another folded into downtube bottle cage. For inflation I use CO2.

All my spares are stretched and pre glued. There is apparently some sort of black art to this, please check around the internerd for information. Changing time for me is quick, way quicker than with clinchers.

andyp

Ciclicasati wrote:

Cross bikes have better brakes.

TMR

danowat wrote:

Tubs for racing (carry a spare or can of "pitstop", clinchers for everything else.

Sticky this.

pianoman

How effective is the "Pit-Stop" with regards to long-term repair? Is it only good until you finish the race/get home or will it permanently fix it? Was thinking of tubulars purely for race-day wheels (TT's/triathlons).

danowat

If it can seal the hole effectively, it should last the life of the tub, although I am not sure I'd risk racing on my sealed with it myself.

That is if it can seal, I recently punctured on the way to the start line at a 25TT, the hole was a couple of mm, and my vittoria pitstop failed to seal it............I wasn't carrying a spare.........

pianoman

According to Chicken Cycles their marketing "blurb" says it gives you peace of mind for three months. Which is fine, if the tyre isn't going to be used beyond then, but after that? Do you fire another shot of Pit Stop in the hole or just chuck the tyre away?

Is it also true you can't get "puncture by pothole" with tubulars because the tube doesn't go anywhere near the rim?

danowat

Yep, you are right, 3 months, personally, I'd send it away to get repaired properly.

And yes, pinch flats aren't an issue with tubs

ChrisSA

Pokerface wrote:

Mike67 wrote:

Hate to be the portent of doom but what if you get a second p***ture?
With the state the roads are in at the moment one bad pothole could take both tyres out, or is that less likely with a tub?

Call me a pessimist but I carry two spare inners as well as patches on a long ride.

How many people carry more than one spare? Not many I'd wager. Plus you have to be pretty unlucky to do the double. :oops:

You have seen the roads round here, right??
I carry two, and patches.