Gluing Tubulars to Carbon Wheel voids warranty?!

defender90
defender90 Posts: 55
edited May 2015 in Road general
Hey,

I am currently talking to a wheel manufacturer about a warranty claim and apparently using glue, as opposed to tape, to put the tub on voids the warranty?! Has anyone else come across something like this? It seems a bit absurd that what is still the mainstream method for tyre adhesion actually voids the warranty of a rim....

Cheers,
Pete

Comments

  • andy_wrx
    andy_wrx Posts: 3,396
    I could see the issue if they were complaining about you removing the tubs and cleaning the glue off the rims with the wrong solvent or a wire brush or something equally silly

    But if they are saying you cannot glue tubs onto the rims, the wheels are not fit for purpose (that purpose being to have tyres glued onto them so as to be able to ride !)
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    In my experience the alternative = tape is not safe to ride downhill... it might be on some tyres (e.g. tufo + tufo tape) but it is not with Vittoria CX... PROs use glue with no exception, so the warranty issue sounds a bit like a bad joke...
    if they don't want you to use glue, then they should clearly state it on the rim, on the product description and should ideally provide an alternative which is just as good. In the absence of these, what are you supposed to do?
    left the forum March 2023
  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    Pritt Stick?
  • defender90
    defender90 Posts: 55
    andy_wrx wrote:
    I could see the issue if they were complaining about you removing the tubs and cleaning the glue off the rims with the wrong solvent or a wire brush or something equally silly

    I'm glad you all found it as ridiculous as I did! The exact quote is 'Tub glue contains a solvent which can compromise the surface area of the carbon onto which the tubular is glued , by gluing these this would void any warranty.'

    Pete
  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    That's nuts!
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    If it's not specified clearly in the product description and the wheels do not come with a warning, then you are in the right, as gluing is the standard method to mount a tubular tyre.

    Just write them an email with your reasoning, a mild threat and what you think would be an acceptable resolution... if they don't comply, then implement your threat and talk to trading standards!
    left the forum March 2023
  • slowbike
    slowbike Posts: 8,498
    erm - care to tell us the brand of nuts?
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,382
    yes, which brand, they need naming and shaming, and as mentioned unless it is stated in documentation accompanying the wheels at time of purchase it is nonsense, any fule kno to use glue fo tubs

    glue is good enough for carbonsports, campag, zipp, enve, etc. etc. etc.
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Slowbike wrote:
    erm - care to tell us the brand of nuts?

    I'm betting Chinese/ eBay sellers.

    Or Wiggle.
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    I've never heard anything so ridiculous. Fight it all the way.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I never had a problem with tub tape personally, but to say no glue sounds mad.
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    cougie wrote:
    I never had a problem with tub tape personally, but to say no glue sounds mad.

    If you scroll down a bit....
    http://www.nationalcyclingcentre.com/tr ... ification/
    not as unusual as you might think re no glue with some wheels
    also , well no tub tape on velodromes either... but thats another debate aint it?
  • Grill
    Grill Posts: 5,610
    Slowbike wrote:
    erm - care to tell us the brand of nuts?

    This. I want to know which douchebag company to avoid.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Mad Fiber
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Sounds like the company has designed a product not fit for purpose. There are some situations e.g. Track and CX where tape is not allowed or unsuitable. Some makes used to say Tufo tape was bad because people ripped the rim bed off when removing the tub.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • earth
    earth Posts: 934
    Which manufacturer?
  • jimmurray
    jimmurray Posts: 130
    Planet X claims using glue voids the warranty on their tubs.
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    jimmurray wrote:
    Planet X claims using glue voids the warranty on their tubs.

    Where is this stated? I have planet-x tubular rims and haven't read this anywhere. They are glued on proper like.
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    Found it on the Planet-X CT45 wheel page
    Please note: We advise using Tubular Gluing Tape for use with all our tubular carbon wheels. Using tub glue will void the warranty of your wheels.

    :shock:
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    drlodge wrote:
    jimmurray wrote:
    Planet X claims using glue voids the warranty on their tubs.

    Where is this stated? I have planet-x tubular rims and haven't read this anywhere. They are glued on proper like.

    they are out of warranty anyway...

    Yeah, Planet X have been quick at adding this disclaimer ,recently... :lol:

    To be honest, I would rather suck it up with the warranty and use glue, than staying within the warranty terms and ending up with my chin on the tarmac because the tyre has slipped.

    A couple of years back I ended a 5 Km descent with the valve bent at 45 degrees, which made me rethink the all tape thing.
    left the forum March 2023
  • darkhairedlord
    darkhairedlord Posts: 7,180
    they've probably had a few go back on warranty where the buyer has tried to remove the glue residue with a chisel or welding torch.
  • jimmurray
    jimmurray Posts: 130
    Don't think it was added that recently. I first saw it last October'ish when thinking about buying a set of tubs for cx racing.
  • 2oldnslow
    2oldnslow Posts: 313
    bit of a thread hi-jack so apologies for that but has anyone tried or have any views on the new Effetto Mariposa Carogna tape ?
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    darkhairedlord wrote:
    they've probably had a few go back on warranty where the buyer has tried to remove the glue residue with a chisel or welding torch.

    Most likely delamination... if you are not very careful, it's easy to tear off a few layers of carbon as you remove the tyre... I've done it myself.
    Problem is people are obsessed with warranty: a nick in the paint is a warranty claim, a creaking in the bottom bracket is a warranty claim, a chain that fails is a warranty claim.. .a broken spoke is a warranty claim...

    I don't know what the OP issue is, as he doesn't care to share it, but it might well be that we are talking about cosmetic damage due to delamination. I suspect if the rim opened up in half, the manufacturer, if they are serious about their business, would probably want to sort things out, glue or not.
    left the forum March 2023
  • mm1
    mm1 Posts: 1,063
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    darkhairedlord wrote:
    they've probably had a few go back on warranty where the buyer has tried to remove the glue residue with a chisel or welding torch.

    Most likely delamination... if you are not very careful, it's easy to tear off a few layers of carbon as you remove the tyre... I've done it myself.

    Conti do a cement for carbon rims, which seems softer than the standard stuff.
  • andy_wrx
    andy_wrx Posts: 3,396
    drlodge wrote:
    Found it on the Planet-X CT45 wheel page
    Please note: We advise using Tubular Gluing Tape for use with all our tubular carbon wheels. Using tub glue will void the warranty of your wheels.

    :shock:
    Err, P-X sell some tubular track wheels, they say their wheels can't use glue, Mcr velodrome (others too ?) say can't use tape...
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    mm1 wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    darkhairedlord wrote:
    they've probably had a few go back on warranty where the buyer has tried to remove the glue residue with a chisel or welding torch.

    Most likely delamination... if you are not very careful, it's easy to tear off a few layers of carbon as you remove the tyre... I've done it myself.

    Conti do a cement for carbon rims, which seems softer than the standard stuff.

    Ha.. yes until you want it off!... plus horrible to put on.. so use Vittoria Mastik.

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