I’ve purchased a Renn disc and my LBS convinced me to get a tubular wheel (for reasons I’ve since learned are mostly invalid). Regardless, I now have this tubular wheel. I’ve done my homework and I’m pretty sure I’m clear on the technique for gluing. I’m pretty sure I want to use the Vittoria Mastik One glue. My first question is, how far does a tube go? To run a bead around the inside of the tire, then run a few beads around the rim surface … that sounds like a LOT of glue. Yet the tubes I see being sold are small. How much glue do I need to buy? I’m just dealing with one tire. (I’ll be using a HED Alps clincher I already have for the front wheel.)
Another question … how do you remove a tubular when it’s time to replace it? I’ve read that they’ll easily come off with hand pressure. If that’s true, what keeps them on in a fast corner?
#3 - it is really not that hard to get the tire off the rim if you need to. You can leave a 3" area opposite the valve stem with no glue if you like, I dont though.
#4 - do it right, there are instructions over and over on ST for how to do this, search for them.
One tube of glue is just enough to do a new tire. If this is the first time you are doing this, I would buy two, because there is a tendancy to use too much glue the first time out. It is a HUGE pain to run out. As far as how difficult the tire is to remove? That depends on the kind of job you did(cleanliness and amount of glue). I once had to change a rear tubular at the start of the Mt. Mitchell ride. It was pouring rain, I did a crappy job, but it held for the entire ride. When I checked it at home the tire just rolled off with very light finger pressure. During a race, I just use a one sided razor blade to slice the tire,and use a finger to peal it off the rim. I know that ruins the tire, but what the hell, it is a race. Hope this helps
Just got tubulars too, the glueing seems like a pain but the tyres seem to ride faster so far, or is that just in my head. I used about 1 1/2 tubes per tyre and they seem to have stuck well. here are some hints
prestretch the tyre
after the first coat on rim and tube leave them overnight then re-glue both and put on
I use the Tufo tape only. I no longer use glue. I always remove flats with a cut of a razor blade and then rip it off the rim. Fast and easy. The tire is trash anyway! I’ve never found a good reason to remove a tubular tire by hand to try and save it.
How do you use more than a tube on a tire? How many and how thick are your coats of glue? I use a brush to put on glue, three coats on the rim and two on the tire - let them dry and stick them a couple hours later - in total I would say the glue is about as thick as a post card. I always have glue left in the tube and have never ever rolled a tire.
This seems to be about the same as I was doing. The tyres were brand new and absorbed a lot of glue on the first base coat. I think this is why I used more than one tube
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I can almost glue 2 tires per tube (with pre-coating the cotton, letting dry, then brushing the tire and rim - a proper glue up for sure).
Actually, I didn’t like the Tufo tape. Sure was easy, but it seems to “melt” a lot on hot days around the edges of the tire, especially with a thin (say 19mm) race tire. Made a mess of one of my brake surfaces on a Hed3 wheel once. I since gone back to the glue. Although it is more time consuming, I find it much cleaner and I have no confidence worries about the tire. Oh, and yes I used the higher temp orange type Tufo tape as well
Sorry but didn’t you just double your flat-fixing issues - by riding a clincher and a tubular at the same time? Will you carry spares for each?
I race tubulars and I think they are the better option - but I think its close. I doubt it really matters either way. More personal choice than anything else.
I use tape - so far so good. Very easy to use - very clean to use. Worked for the one race I’ve done with them. Tape has some issues though - there is no good way to replace a tubular in a race if you use tape. So you either hope you don’t flat or use sealant. Sealant has issues too - it adds weight to the wheel (small but anyway…) - and its only good for a couple months…so every 3 months of so you need to put more sealant in…
Sorry but didn’t you just double your flat-fixing issues - by riding a clincher and a tubular at the same time? Will you carry spares for each?
I’ve thought about that. I’m gonna run a TUFO Elite Jet tubular on the rear and a TUFO Elite Jet tubular clincher on the front. I’ll carry a tube of the Tufo sealant.
I’m not doing ironman triathlons or anything like that. I got hit by a car two years ago and running is a thing of the past. I’m hoping to do some competitive time trials … gunning for the state TT championship in my age group. The point is, the events are short. If all goes well, my time on the bike will be about an hour.
I’ve been using the Tufo tape. I pre-glue a spare and the rim has been pre-glued lightly also. When I flat in training or racing, I’ll remove the tire and tape (most comes off with the flat tire anyway), I’ll use the pre-glued rim and tire and make it to the end without a problem.