Got a lot of flat tires this summer- including one in IM WIS, a problem a lot of people had to deal with. I ride clinchers. I suppose some of the flats I got were from pinch flats etc- but I had shop guy change some, I changed some- I’m quite careful changing flats to avoid pinch flats. Some local roads were also chip sealed which accounts for some of my flat tires. Regardless, blah blah blah
My question is this- I am thinking of switching to tubulars- which eliminates the pinch flat problem. However, has anyone had experience with tubulars as oppossed to clinchers and dealing with less flat tires? I seem to recall that as far as changing them, with tufo tape, it aint that bad?
For racing I use tubulars & I can’t remember the last time I had a flat (30 races per yr x 12 years). Training with clinchers I used to get flats all the time. Now I ride with heavy training wheels (Easton VISTA) with 700x25 touring style tires that have serious puncture protection. Yes the tires have higher rolling resistance, but I want to work in the little time I have to train. I’d rather be riding than changing a flat any day.
In foul weather & the winter I use my cross bike with 700x35 tires. Life’s too short, I hate flats. Three years & no touring tire clincher flats, touch wood.
In well over 200 triathlons I’ve raced mostly with tubulars. Never flatted once on a tubular. In the few races I’ve done with clinchers I’ve flatted twice.
I’ve switched from tubbies to clinchers to tubbies to clincher countless times in the past 15 years. I currently ride tubular clincher Tufos on my clincher wheels. I’ve sold all my tubbies (again). I didn’t see much differnce in the flat rate. Both were about the same in training. I’ve never flatted in a race…knock on wood, I’m racing tomorrow. The only saving factor in the Tufo tubular clinchers is I put the sealant in them and ride without a change kit. I’ve done this over the past 18 months with only one flat, and that was a long story…not a normal situation.
Yup - no doubt you will flat less with a tubular. I’ve only had 1 flat on a tubular (IM FL) and who knows how many on clinchers (20?). But, if you flat, it is a lot easier to carry the needed tube for a clincher (time debate to actually change it not withstanding) than an entire, expensive tubular tire). Then there is the fact that tubular wheels/rims are lighter than their clincher counterpart and that most tubulars (properly inflated) give a better ride quality than a clincher. Still not sold on the rolling resistance debate though. My personal feeling is that: a high quality clincher race wheel “feels” faster to me. Tubulars “feel” nicer to me and definitely flat less (and are safer in the event you do). Changing a flat is definitely easier with a tubular (especially with the ridiculously tight Michelin ProRace2s that I like), but I hate strapping or carrying a spare tubular.
So - what to do? I think I see why the debate does on … I guess I do like most others here: train on clinchers and race on tubulars.
I have never gotten a flat in a race (tubular or clincher). But recently, a buddy of mine got me interested in the TUFO clincher tubulars. Bought the high end ones for racing, I like them. and I also got the cheapy ones for training (C S22), and these tires I could tell as for rolling res, they sucked bad. So after riding on them thru out the summer, i decided to put the clincers back on for training. BAM,first ride out, two damn flats! and then a few days later, another flat! Pinch flats, I suspect at least one of them was…who knows. Was riding the same roads as usual!
I am going back to the TUFO clincher tubulars for training, I will just get the c S33pro for training, fill them with tufo tire sealant, carry an extra tube of sealant when out riding, and keep my fingers crossed!
and I will keep using the elites/specials for racing!
i dont notice a bit of difference, except with the c s22’s, yes, those i noticed, but used for training only!. but the higher end ones seem to work great. then again, maybe more time on the bike negates the RR issue. equipement does not matter if the engine isnt running good!
Maybe when I get my new giro advantange II aero helmet, what tires i use wont matter! Maybe I should get a disc wheel too!
For racing I use tubulars & I can’t remember the last time I had a flat (30 races per yr x 12 years).
I also race tubulars - and I have had some flats (3 this season). What kind are you using - it sounds WILD you race that much without ever getting a flat!
I have only tried the vittoria open corsa cx. I think they are to expensive for my taste - so the next time I get a flat I will trie the continental sprinter instead - is that any good?
That is what I run (the Conti Sprinter that is). Probably 45 races or so on them with only 1 flat (unfortunately in an IM). They seem VERY durable. Newer ones are “smooth” now compared with the older, “herringbone” pattern. They seem to test midpack with RR tests that I have seen. Reasonably priced if you look around. I’m not sure what the difference is between the Sprinter and the Competition.
There might be several reasons to use tubulars, but pinch flats IS NOT any reason.
Keep proper pressure regularly, and you don’t pinch flat with clinchers. I’ve only had one pinch flat with clincher, due a pit hole and probably 40psi pressure on a 23mm tire. (On my commuter bike, I knew the tire was soft, but was in a hurry that morning…)
There is no reason for more flats on clinchers. When the clinchers are to worn out, I move them from my tri bike to my commuter bike: 25 miles every day on public roads, through a small town center - had this pinch flat and one ordinary flat the last 2 years…
In well over 200 triathlons I’ve raced mostly with tubulars. Never flatted once on a tubular. In the few races I’ve done with clinchers I’ve flatted twice.
Tom,
To be complete, can you tell us what kind of flats these were? In other words, were they punctures, “true” pinch flats (i.e. snakebites), or pinched tubes?
I would agree- and have no interest in getting into a tufo sucks debate etc. However, as to the tufo tubular clincher deal- I gave them a try and was kinda shocked at how they really did not feel great. Something about them that I noticed right away- even if pumped up to 145 they were just kinda dog slow. As such, they will be my trainer tire for this winter.
As to flat update, again- today. Beautiful day, cruisin and enjoying the outdoors before we go into 6 months of suck ass weather- front goes flat. Luckily, changed it and back on the road in 10 minutes. But this is ridiculous. Worse part of it was getting yelled at for being late from my suppossed 75 minute ride allotment. Fucking blows.
I’ve been racing for 16 (avg 6 races per year) years and (knock on wood) have only flatted a tubular during a race once (SBCT in '93). At present I have a mismatched pair of Zipps, Continental rear and Vittoria in front, and a Tufo on the disc and I can’t really tell a difference between any of them.
Clinchers are vastly improved since the mid-80’s when I started riding and I wouldnt’ hesitate to race on them if I didn’t have so much $$$ tied up in tubie 650 race wheels.
I was using Veloflex, but Canadian distribution ended Now I use Ritchey WCS tubulars & I very happy. I also race moderate distances where the bike portion is 25-80k. Still if you multiply 32 events x 40k(avg) = 1280k x 12 yrs = 15 360k without a flat.
Now I use Ritchey WCS tubulars & I very happy. I also race moderate distances where the bike portion is 25-80k. Still if you multiply 32 events x 40k(avg) = 1280k x 12 yrs = 15 360k without a flat.