So I’ve had a spare tubular in the basedment (mild temp 60 to 65) for the past 5 years. I’m thinking of throwing this on some new tubular rims I purchased.
Just and initial inspection the tubular looks and feels okay. Should I be worried about the strength of the tubular (does it lose its elasticity)? Sitting around that long, will it lose it’s strength once on the rim, at high pressures, etc?
I would just hate to put this on during a big race and get a flat 
Thoughts/comments?
Properly stored, a good tubie is like fine wine…or so it is said. I’ve had 'em for five years and they’ve done fine.
Ride it a few hundred miles and see…you’d do that for any tire expecting to see a race.
Wouldn’t you?
Of course you would…
Julian, the famous Belgian bike mechanic, ages tubulars like fine wine in his root cellar for many years before use by the Discovery, Astana, and now Radio Shack Pro Tour Teams. They had a short segment on this on the “Science of Lance Armstrong” TV series a few years back in which Julian stated that the tires used by Lance had been stored at least 7 years. My opinion based on some soft data and anecdotes is that the tread rubber hardens resulting in greater puncture protection but increased rolling resistance. I think the tire will be fine. Latex tubes stored inside tubular tires seem to last a long time as they are not exposed to fresh air.