I have never used tubulars before but I recently bought a set of race wheels that require tubulars. I want to learn how to install the tires myself, but I am concerned about messing up on a more expensive race tire. So I was wondering if it was a sin to have a cheaper training tire on your race wheels such as the vittoria rally or if I should just grow a pair and put a race tire on and hope I do a good job the first time. Thanks.
Go halfway and get a decent tubular… like a Vittoria Corsa. Not quite a cheapo tire, good for training or racing, and a heck of a lot cheaper than a Veloflex Carbon race tire.
Cheap tubulars are a BEAR… Tufo S3… UGH.
Conti sprinters are a good choice, you can often find them for around $50 each.
Oooooh second that, I forgot about the Conti… get that one!
I use Continental Podiums. Love 'em. Can be found on sale a bit cheaper that the sprinters and are a bit lighter and narrower, too.
Buy some Vittoria Rallyes and ride 'em all the time. They’re on PBK right now for 11 bucks. That’s right, I said $11.
Ok I hate to say it but the best starter training tubular are the mid priced TUFO. They are tough as nails and rarely flat. They don’t bleed are (you can pump them up once a week, if that). They can be fixed froim a small puncture with sealant. They also are dead true and straight, making them easier to put on for beginners.
Styrrell
I have to agree with you!! I have ridden many other tubular tires and I keep coming back to TUFO! I have used both the JET and Hi Composite Carbon tires, with excellent results.
They hold a high PSI, the ride very nice; they are a high mileage tire and user friendly!
Don’t think you can go wrong with this brand!
I have a set of wheels that I use for training that have tubulars and they have TUFOs. For my racing wheels I use lower rolling resistance tires. I believe the testing that shows TUFOs to be slow, but for training that doesn’t matter to me.
Styrrell
Only because I just bought a set of Zipp Tubies and have never mounted a tubie before, what can you mess up on the tire that would keep you from buying good tires from the start?
arn, look at it this way…You’re going to be racing tubulars and will need a spare…said spare must already have glue on it. So get the cheapies to practice with and after practicing they’re pre-glued and ready to use as a spare.
And yes, Tufo’s are a great option for this.
Glue all over the place (rim, tire, hair, poodle etc) is the most common mistake. Other than that “good” tubies are expensive and short lived. I just don’t see the point on riding the best tubulars routinely, but by best i mean lowest rolling resistance.
Styrrell
Another fan of cheap tubular tires here. I rode Clement exclusively as a sponsored racer, but these days I like the Montello and Milano from Schwalbe.
An amazing value can be had on 21.5mm, 300g tubulars from Yellow Jersey in Madison: 3 for $50 plus shipping. These are the same as the Clement TT. I have friends who buys these buy the boatload, but have yet to try them myself, preferring a lighter tire like the Milano.