Tweet Follow @sheldonbrowncom

More Articles by Jobst Brandt
Next: Tubular Fables
Previous: Wiping Tires

Subject: Clinchers vs. Tubulars
From:F.J. Brown <F.Brown *at* massey.ac.nz>

D.H.Davis at gdt.bath.ac.uk gave some useful hints on mounting clinchers, mostly involving the use of copious quantities of baby powder, and trying to convince me that clinchers aren't difficult to mount, so ease of mounting isn't a valid reason for preferring tubulars.

wernerj at lafcol.lafayette.edu wrote that although average tubulars ride 'nicer' than average clinchers, there are some clinchers around that ride just as 'nice'. He also said that ease of change isn't a good reason for preferring tubulars as if you flat in a race, you're either going to swap a wheel or drop out. He pointed out that tubulars end up costing $20 - $80 per flat.

ershc at cunyvm.cuny.edu gave some of the historic reasons that tubulars were preferred: higher pressures, lower weight, stronger, lighter rims. Said that only a few of these still hold true (rim strength/weight, total weight), but he still prefers the 'feel' of tubulars.

leka at uhifa.ifa.hawaii.edu started this thread with his observations on clinchers seperated from their rims in the aftermath of a race crash.

stek at alcvax.pfc.mit.edu comments on improperly-glued tubulars posing a threat to other racers by rolling off, and noted that this couldn't happen with clinchers.

Jobst Brandt agreed with stek, with the additional note that it is inadequate inflation that often allows tubulars to roll.

Kevin at Buffalo agreed with stek and jobst about tubulars (improperly or freshly glued) sometimes rolling.

ruhtra at turing.toronto.edu says he uses clinchers for cost and convenience. Clinchers let him carry around a tiny patch kit and some tyre irons, costing 60c, whereas tubulars would require him to carry a whole tyre, and would cost more.

CONCLUSIONS: THE CLINCHER VS. TUBULAR WAR

Tubulars

• used to be capable of taking higher pressures, had lower weight and mounted onto stronger, lighter rims than clinchers. Clinchers have now largely caught up, but many cyclists' thinking hasn't. Tubular tyre + rim combination still lighter and stronger.
• are easier to change than clinchers. This matters more to some people than others - triathletes, mechanical morons and those riding in unsupported races.
• cost megabucks if you replace them every time you puncture. ***However*** (and none of the North Americans mentioned this) down here in Kiwiland, we ***always*** repair our punctured tubulars (unless the casing is cut to ribbons). The process doesn't take much imagination, you just unstitch the case, repair the tube in the normal manner using the thinnest patches you can buy, stitch it back up again and (the secret to success) put a drop of Superglue over the hole in the tread.
• can roll off if improperly glued or inflated. In this case, you probably deserve what you get. Unfortunately, the riders behind you don't.

Clinchers

• can be difficult to change (for mechanical morons) and are always slower to change than tubulars. Most people still carry a spare tube and do their repairs when they get home.
• are cheaper to run: if you puncture a lot, clinchers will probably still save you money over tubulars, even if you repair your tubulars whenever possible. Tubulars are only repairable most of the time; you virtually never write off a clincher casing due to a puncture.
• have improved immensely in recent years: top models now inflate to high pressures, and are lighter and stronger than they used to be. Likewise clincher rims. Some debate over whether tubulars are still lighter and tubular rims stronger. Probably depends on quality you select. No doubt that high quality clinchers and rims are stronger, lighter and more dependable than cheap tubular-rim combinations .Jobst Brandt

More Articles by Jobst Brandt
Next: Tubular Fables
Previous: Wiping Tires

• What's New
• Sheldon Brown on Facebook
• Site Feedback & Questions

Last Updated: by John Allen