So for Christmas this year I asked for contributions to a “disk wheel” fund, and it is now time to order the hardware. I have elected to go with the Renn 575 disk as that fits the budget and I’ve read much good about it on this forum.
However, I am having a dilemma. I am not sure if I should go with a tubular or a clincher model. Here are the relevant facts and musings on the subject: I don’t have the money at this time for a new front wheel, which means that one of my existing clinchers (Fir SRG30 or an old rear Specialized trispoke with an adapter to make it a front wheel) will have to grace the front end. I could see getting a new front wheel at some point in the future, but not likely this year. I will be attempting my first IM distance race at IMC this year on top of a 1/2 IM, an Oly and a Sprint - I will probably want to use the disc in most of these races.
So, to sumarize the dilemma: do I go with the “superior” features of tubular for the disc at the cost of having to carry both spare tubular and spare clincher related items in my races, and then even the score by buying a tubular front in some year to come? (The new front wheel would be a 2006 purchase at the earliest). OR do I sacrifice a few grams and some “reliability” and decide that I will be a clincher guy for the life of my disc? (Which means that if/when I were to buy a new front wheel, I would buy a clincher to match the disc).
Please help me see the light guys and gals by throwing in your opinions and suggestions!
i was in a similar position 6 months ago. i was ready to buy a renn 575 but i too have a clincher front (rolf vector comps) and was not prepared financially to change it. i went with a clincher and don’t regret it. one day i’ll go tubular but that day is not today. by the way i did placid this year on clinchers and finished!!!
A) I want to finish and have a good time, I dont care about others in the race.
or a
B) I’m racing (either myself or other). I would gladly risk blowing up in some races if I cut 5 minutes off my PR or place in my age group?
If you are A I say go clincher, must less hassle than different wheels and no learning curve.
If you are B go tubie, use TUFO tubies with the sealant and risk a flat (highly unlikely). Carry a CO2 cartridge and an innertube. This will be fastest
Got to be the tubulars as long as you are handy with glue. I just switched over and the tubulars swwm like a better tyre so far, although I have not flatted on them yet!
You’ve got an interesting suggestion there with the “bulletproof a tubular disc and carry only spare parts for the front clincher…” idea.
I’d like to hear anyone else’s experiences with this type of setup - as this would be an effective “bridge” to having a full tubular racing set later on… but I may worry a bit about it at IM Canada this summer.
To answer your A vs B question: I think I’m somewhere in the middle, but I guess I lean towards B a bit given that I do want to do as best that I can in any given event. However, it also depends on the race I think, as IMC will definitely be a “have a good time and make sure I finish” race, whereas some of my shorter races include competition with the brothers-in-law so every second counts!
Whats your attitude towards racing. Are you a:
A) I want to finish and have a good time, I dont care about others in the race.
or a
B) I’m racing (either myself or other). I would gladly risk blowing up in some races if I cut 5 minutes off my PR or place in my age group?
If you are A I say go clincher, must less hassle than different wheels and no learning curve.
If you are B go tubie, use TUFO tubies with the sealant and risk a flat (highly unlikely). Carry a CO2 cartridge and an innertube. This will be fastest
Buy the tubular, if you foresee not replacing the clincher in the near future. I’ve done races in the past with a clincher front and tubbie rear. I carried a spare tube but not a spare tire (for the tubbie). If you foresee replacing the clincher with a tubular wheel set in the near future, then buy the clincher and replace it when you can get both tubulars.
I go through alot of wheels. I’m constantly buying and sellig, trying new ones, trying different ones…never had the same wheels more then 1 year except a set of clincher HED3’s. But I’m selling them as I speak : )
I’m running a clincher HED3 and a Tubular HED3D disc at this time. I’ve purchased a new HED3 Carbon tubular for racing this coming season.
This is actually pretty bulletproof. A couple of other considerations. If you are racing for a place or a PR you aren’t likely to get it if you flat no matter how fast you can change a clincher. And if you do flat using a tubular you can still ride quite a distance safely. The tire is a pretty thick layer of rubber between you and the road, whereas a clincher will either come off the rim or fall into the rim so you ride on the metal.
Thanks for all of the input everyone! It hadn’t really occured to me that I’d probably get away without a spare tubular tire in a race, but much of your input helps me to see that this risk is low and can be mitigated (sealant, riding a flat tubular for short distances, etc).
