Changing tubular during race, adv pls

Triathlon Forum
1

I will be doing first long race (HIM) on tubulars but have never had a need to replace a tubular and need practical advice since this is not something you can really practice

At this time I intend to bring one replacement tire, levers, and 2 CO2’s. A roadie of a dubious nature suggested also carrying a small box cutter and cut across the flat to get a grip from the inside rathewr than trying to pry it off. I have also heard reference to pre-stretching.

Pls aducate me.

2

no levers required
.

3

All in the fingers?

4

Yeah … cutting it makes it MUCH faster to peel off.
And do make sure that you pre-stretch your spare. Otherwise, it will be REALLY tough to get on.
If you haven’t already, I’d highly recommend trying putting a tubular on at least once before the race. You sort of have to stretch it as you go … otherwise, getting the last few inches over the rim is almost impossible. Very fast and easy once you’ve done it a few times but took me almost 20 minutes on my first try :frowning:

5

Would you recommend standing on it while pulling to stretch it? If yes, can this be overdone?

6

buy an old tubular rim from a bike shop or ebay to pre-stretch your spare. have it pre-glued and you’ll be good to go. trying to get it on the old rim to stretch will give you an idea of what’s involved if you have to mount a spare…good practice for something you won’t need to do anyway. pack a razor blade in your tool bag and just cut off the flat tire. you’ll never have the confidence to use it again anyway and it’s a bear trying to get a glued tubular off…even with a patch left unglued.

7

take your spare put it under your foot and pull up with your arms to pre stretch. i dont think its possible to stretch it too much as they are real tough. after you pull that flat off there will be enough glue left of the rim to get you through the race. start at the valve stem and work the spare on. go a little easy on sharp turns so she doesnt roll off on you, but once inflated those things are on there pretty good

8

Jack

Standing on it is one technique, just don’t pull it too hard so that you hear the threads in the casing break.

To put a tubbie back on this is my technique

  1. Put the rim vertically on the ground with the valve stem hole on top (at 12:00). If you are outside, just don’t put the rim, with glue on it, in a bunch of dirt. Th pro’s have a little fixture that they use to hold the rim, and keep it off of the ground.
  2. Put the valve stem in the hole, get it set on the rim. With both hands, each on the tire on either side of the stem hole, pull the pre-streched tubie out and down on to the rim.
  3. Do this all the way around the rim, until the last bit of tire is left to get the final stretch. If the tire is really pre-stretched, it will go on just fine. If it is not, this is the tricky part. You will have to use your thumbs to pry the last bit of tire up and onto the rim. Note if you have alot of glue on the tire, this is when it will get on the rim.
  4. Spin the rim and check that the tire is on straight.

Hope that help. There will be other techniques, but this is one that has worked for me.