What is the easiest way to remove dried glue from the rim braking surface? The wheels are Hed Alps, they have an aluminum braking surface. This was my first attempt at mounting tubular tires and I made quite the mess.
Depending on the amount of glue to be removed, I’ve used citrus degreaser, same as you use on other bike parts. You’ll need to work it alittle to be sure the glue becomes soft and then comes right off. Well…“right off” is relative…for glue that is!
So I am thinking about this too. As much trouble as that was, how are you going to do it in a race?
This may take a while, but next time apply a small amount of tape over the braking surface all around the rim. Never done this with a carbon rim so be careful not to get the tape on the carbon. After attaching tire, pull tape off of rim.
edit - I meant after the glue is mostly dry.
You shouldn’t be dealing with new glue during a race, so no possibility of getting it anywhere when swapping a spare.
Here’s a good trick if you’re messy: Before mounting a new tubular, cover the brake surface with a strip of electician’s tape. Mount tubular, wipe off extra glue, remove electrician’s tape. No glue anywhere but under the tire.
Well I read this at Sheldon Brown’s, and it kind of scares me away from tubular.
If you don’t glue your tubulars on properly, they can roll off, causing you to crash. If you get a flat on the road, you can’t glue your spare securely, since the glue needs to dry overnight; as a result, you have to ride very gingerly on your spare, taking it really easy on the curves and descents. If you get two flats on the same ride, you’re screwed.
So I am not understanding, jh "You shouldn’t be dealing with new glue during a race, so no possibility of getting it anywhere when swapping a spare. "
Putting on a spare during a triathlon is only a temporary fix meant to get you to T2. You have to ride it carefully so as not to roll it, as you don’t glue it on (you simply put it over the old glue that stays behind on the rim). Because triathlon courses are generally non-technical, it’s possible to limp home with a spare.
For non-triathlon applications, you definitely don’t race on a spare. I believe this is the audience to whom Sheldon Brown is speaking.
The degreaser worked like a charm, thanks…