tubular tyres

They're an old-fashioned design, in which the inner tube is sewn inside the tyre casing, which forms a complete torus of hose: it's retained on the (concave) rim primarily by inflation pressure, but also by glue.

Tubular rims can be a near-perfect rectangular cross section, without the sidewall extension to clinch a normal tyre bead, consequently a little lighter; and tubulars are safe at very high pressures, making them popular for track use, where bumpy roads are not a problem.

At equivalent-to-clincher pressures, however (100psi), their rolling resistance is no better (probably worse). They have both theoretical advantages and disadvantages in terms of descending mountain roads safely, which is an arbitrary concern to most UK cyclists. Punctures are a pain to deal with, because the casing must be split and re-sewn to access the inner tube. Many people are attracted to them for the mystique– because they are old technology, only a few people use them, and they are sometimes spoken of in hushed tones, as if a secret. Beware: the non-adept tend to get covered in glue.

At equivalent-to-clincher pressures, however (100psi), their rolling resistance is no better (probably worse).
what a bizarre comparison. christ, who would run a road tub at 100psi? One of the great advantages of tubs over clinchers is that you can crank 'em up to 160 or so.

And bounce around all over the road too...

Greater PSI isnt ALWAYS better....

not always, no. Agreed there. But I've never had a problem with bouncing all over the road on tubs at 160psi. Have you been trying to ride on a trampoline?

Personal experiences of course but based on using Tubs since 1981 on my day to day bikes.(I'm too tight to but new wheels) and clinchers for about 3 years I would say that the tubs are way better when it comes to avoiding puntures. I have every tub I have ever bought except 1 I think. Most are bald but few have ever punctured. I seriously reckon the near 30 years of tub riding have given me less than a handful of puntures where as 3 years on clinchers gives me 1 a month. The main reason I use clinchers is that nowadays no one uses tubs so I have to carry all my spares, whereas in the old days we all carried 1 each and within a group that was plenty.
Tubs are far safer when you get an instant puncture, especially at speed. Not repairable on the roadside but no great hassle in front of the fire with a glass of whisky. Find an old pair of wheels and try some.

Save the tubs for racing in particular with carbon rims - carbon clinchers are heavier, generally more expensive and more prone to damage.

I think the gap between clinchers and tubs is closing rapidly due to the investment made in R&D but tubs still have a few inherant advantages. The resistance to pinch punctures as Balthazar has said and more importantly with the proliferation of carbon rims their ability to stay on the rim in an emergency blowout. From an entirely subjective point of view I do like the 'feel' of riding on tubs.

Berk Bonebonce wrote:

sherer wrote:

don't most of the pros ride in tubulars now ?

Time was when they only used tubs. Nowadays I would suggest that tyres are used significanly more than tubs. I mean, if you were a mechnic you would just die for using tyres only. mechanics these days can now spend their time routing internal cables rather than sticking on tubs.

You would suggest wrong. Tubs are almost exclusively used in the Pro peloton.

Pros were riding Michelin Hi Lites a few years back. This may have been a sponsorship deal with the team though.

Tubs do ride better and pros get wheel changes prettty quickly from their service cars, so even if they were more fragile than standard tyres - it wouldnt matter too much,

Punctures for me are so rare on my normal tyres - so my spate of tub punctures could just be an unlucky blip - but it doesnt make me want to ride them as much.