Tubs.... not practical for w'end blasts?

springtide9

Well, thinking/fancy a pair of tubs... I think..

I plan to do a few duathlons this year and maybe a tri. Also interested in having a go at a few 10mile TT runs... so thinking that a pair of aero wheels would be a good investment as well as make the bike look pretty... nothing too extreme... something like 50's.

But... if you spend that amount of cash on a decent pair of wheels (and I see a few people riding carbon aero wheels).... would it not make sense to also use them for weekend rides?

But tubs appear to be a real pain if you get a puncture out on the road. Not sure it seems that practical to carry a spare tyre as well as the hassle of fixing it.

Do people generally just use their aero wheels for TT type events? And if not.. are they as bad as they appear in terms of practicality?

Thanks

danowat

springtide9 wrote:

Do people generally just use their aero wheels for TT type events? And if not.. are they as bad as they appear in terms of practicality?

Thanks

My aero wheels and tubs are used exclusively for open TT's.

Training and club TT's are done on clinchers.

I could train and club TT on tubs, but they are too expensive and too much of a pain to get fixed when they do puncture.

Kona21

Im having the same issue. i bought a bike the other day with 50mm tubs.
It's my race bike... but im not racing till next year. I want to use the bike but nervous due to the tubs and puncturing.

I think i will carry a pre glued tub with me, (not sure where yet) and try change the tyre at the side of the road.... even though I have never dealt with tubs before... could be fun with 20 people waiting for me !

gmb

I use tubs and 50's as my everyday wheels. They do not work out any more expensive (as I've had less punctures on tubs) and are as easy (if not easier) to replace than clincher tubes.

petemadoc

GMB wrote:

I use tubs and 50's as my everyday wheels. They do not work out any more expensive (as I've had less punctures on tubs) and are as easy (if not easier) to replace than clincher tubes.

This is contrary to everything I've heard and read about tubs

gmb

Tubs are easy to carry (you just have to learn how to fold them). They are simple to fit, more so than clincher tubes I find.

They are, however, much more expensive than tubes - I use Conti Sprinters (see link to my bike) which cost about £30. I don't race/TT/do club runs. BUT since switching over I have had fewer punctures and it has worked out no more expensive to run tubs.

I have used PX wheels during the winter and they have not suffered at all despite Durham Council endeavouring to ensure that we have the largest potholes outside the Sea of Tranquility - and they just feel better...(all in the mind maybe).

Don't be scared of tubs/carbon wheels, there are numerous You Tube vids explaining how to fit them using glue/tape etc.

danowat

If you are lucky, then yes, tubs could be no more expensive, however, getting just one puncture (which considering they have chipped nearly every bloody road round here in the last week) is pretty likely.

Once a tubs is punctured, aslong as its one that CAN be repaired (there are a number that CAN'T) and aslong as you don't mind the faff with sewing and glue, then you could repair them, otherwise it will cost you about £15 to send them away to be repaired.

The way I see it, on training runs and the like, whats the point in using top kit?, running tubs and aero wheels save you a few seconds on a 10, and for me, there is no point in using them outside of races where those few seconds are wholley irrelevent.

No one is saying you CAN'T use them, but just be aware of the pitfalls and the minimal gains before you use them

dcj

i simply prefer the ride feel on tubs - even the £15 ones are acceptable.

you have more control with this type of rim/tyre system if unlucky to flat on a high speed descent.

the chance of punctures are less. for example i have never had a pinch flat on a tub.

normally you can safely ride a few miles on a flat - handy for commuting in the dark or to finish the bike leg of your triathlon

tub rims have less to do and therefore can usually be much lighter in alloy than the equivalent clincher. carbon clinchers represent a higher technical challenge and either have to be over-engineered, very expensive or both.

the downsides are covered by other forum members and there is no doubt going for tubs for everyday use is not considered practical by the vast majority but then again that may not matter if the advantages line up for you :shock:

springtide9

Thanks all.

cadseen wrote:

Why dont you go for topend all carbon clinchers which are nearly as light as the tub versions and nearly as good. http://tidd.ly/d9847278

Cough, cough... how much... ???

That would be £2300 for a set!

I was thinking more on the lines of....
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPP ... ace-wheels

So a £500 set of light tubs that wouldn't be so expensive that I would worry about trashing them. Obviously £500 is a lot of a set of wheels... but not the same league as a >£2k set! My PX SL is probably only worth £1800 all in.


Thanks all for the advice. Maybe I should get a set and use them in combo with my Fulcrum racing 3s.

gmb

springtide9 wrote:

I was thinking more on the lines of....
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPP ... ace-wheels

So a £500 set of light tubs that wouldn't be so expensive that I would worry about trashing them. Obviously £500 is a lot of a set of wheels... but not the same league as a >£2k set! My PX SL is probably only worth £1800 all in.


Thanks all for the advice. Maybe I should get a set and use them in combo with my Fulcrum racing 3s.

I can recommend the PX wheels. I've never had a problem with mine and would definitely buy a set from PX again. Like you I have an SL Pro and wouldn't go for a "high end" set of wheels. I would also consider some of the Carbonzone et all carbon wheels on the Chinese wheel thread.

danowat

I paid £350 for a set of Karbona 50mm carbon tubs, pretty much the same as the majority of Chinese tubs, and they are brilliant wheels, very light, very strong, roll well, hold speed well, shop around, there are some bargains to be had.

springtide9

GMB wrote:

I can recommend the PX wheels. I've never had a problem with mine and would definitely buy a set from PX again.
....

Questions:

(a) I have heard some bad feedback on the rear hubs on the PX 'B' wheels (that the freehub was very soft and the cassette was really bighting into the hub)
Looking on PX website... the carbon hubs appear to be different... and they use their 'pro hub'. Have you had any issues?

(b) Tyres, tyres... tyres. Still on my first set of tyres... so don't really have that much experience with tyres on clinchers yet. Currently using the folding Conti Grand Prix .... which I must admit have been great in both the wet and dry. I also have not had a puncture yet (famous last words) as well as the tyres appear not to have any cuts etc in them. So all in all... pleased with the Conti GP's.
I know tubs are different in terms of there are different types etc. I see Conti do a tubular Grand Prix 4000 - which looks like it would fit the bill. Any comments etc would be useful.

danowat

GP4000 tubs can't be repaired I believe, if that will sway your decision.

gmb

springtide9 wrote:

GMB wrote:

I can recommend the PX wheels. I've never had a problem with mine and would definitely buy a set from PX again.
....

Questions:

(a) I have heard some bad feedback on the rear hubs on the PX 'B' wheels (that the freehub was very soft and the cassette was really bighting into the hub)
Looking on PX website... the carbon hubs appear to be different... and they use their 'pro hub'. Have you had any issues?

You will see from my link that my wheels are the old logo style PX rims with PX hubs. I have had no probs with the cassette/freehub and the wheels (which I have used during the winter) have been without issue.

dcj

i will simply AVOID conti GP4000 tubs like the plague in future. i bought two and both flatted within 40 miles on separate occasions for similar reasons - internal rupture rather than casing cut.
the sidewalls are too extreme in my opinion and not suitable for rough roads at lower pressures.

the previous conti competitions i used were both three years old before they starting playing up so i would consider more of those again for sure.

Tucky

I've just ordered the Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL wheels with my new bike.

My thinking was if I get clinchers, it'll be easier for me to use for all my riding, rather than just races and TTs (of which there is very little of here).

Slightly more expensive than the Planet X ones (on their website), but it saves me buying a training wheel too.

borisvanhalen

planet x 50mm carbon clinchers with Tufo clincher tubs filled with a dash of caffe latex sealer... only had one catastophic puncture in a year and that was when doing a local paris-roubaix route

the clincher tubs wont come off if punctured, they put no pressure on the rim, you can change them in 5 mins and can put up to 220psi into them... and they're really fast and comfy to ride on, noticable on the few times i've swapped to a normal (pro race 2/3) clincher during the worst bits of winter

cougie

220 psi ??? Comfortable ride there - not.

When I was a schoolie everyone rode tubs. Then good quality clinchers came out and cycling got cheaper and easier.

Now people have more disposable income - tubs are back. Yes the ride is better but it's easier to take two inner tubes than it is two tubs. And yes you can flat two tubs in one ride :-(.

Save them for racing only I reckon. And then the race wheels will feel special.