Tubular tyres

ok quick question

do the tubular tyres have a difference in sizing than clincher tyres?

i bought a vittoria competition rally 25 28" from wiggle.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vittoria-rally-tubular-tyre/

i got the 700X25.. but it seems to be very fat!! even more than a 700x28 clincher..
my wheel is still at the shop getting repainted so i can fit it a check, but, if thats the case i dont want to glue it and then realise its to fat!

as you may have guessed, this is the first time i'm using a tubular tyre...

You can (in fact it is advised to) fit the tub on the rim "dry", I.e. with no tape, glue etc. in order to stretch it before you mount it properly.

Do this, then chuck the wheel in the frame to check the fit- if you are careful not to mark the tub you can return it if it is too large.

Maybe see here http://www.lfgss.com/thread469.htm

no harm in inflating it off the rim either, just to see what shape it comes out at.

Maybe see here http://www.lfgss.com/thread469.htm

no harm in inflating it off the rim either, just to see what shape it comes out at.

yeah i inflated it off the rim and it looks fat. but come to think of it it will be stretched when on the rim..
i guess i will wait until tomorrow when i have the rim.

cant return it though as i'm not in the UK

I have some vittoria rallys in 23mm and they aren't any bigger than i would have expected so you should be fine.

ok, well, i have fitted the tyre and the rim does not cover the whole of the rim/glue area of the tyre.. is this safe for use or should i just a get a thinner tyre?

Pictures would be useful?

Pictures would be useful?

all around is like this on both sides

hmm, just found this on the hed site

"The H3 wheel is designed to be used with a 21mm tyre/tubular. This width works optimally from an aerodynamic point of view with the H3 wheel profile."

That looks fine to me- the base-tape (light coloured bit) usually shows a little on both sides, it's a handy visual reference check to help get the tyre on straight.

My Conti sprinters have black base tape, so it's hard to see, but my Vittoria Corsa's have light base tape so look just like your pictures.

Kind of hard to see (both picture, and black base-tape) but you can just about see that the front tub has base-tape showing underneath it:

That looks fine to me- the base-tape (light coloured bit) usually shows a little on both sides, it's a handy visual reference check to help get the tyre on straight.

My Conti sprinters have black base tape, so it's hard to see, but my Vittoria Corsa's have light base tape so look just like your pictures.

great, thank for your help, i'l leave it as is then and be a bit careful on the first rides to see if everything is ok..

^that is a splendid looking steed Dammit

What does everyone use for cleaning brushes after applying tub glue?

I lick mine clean.

I don't, normally - I bought a huge stash of acid brushes off eBay and use them once. I used acetone to clean them before deciding I CBA'd.

My recently fitted FMB Paris roubaix's lose pressure over the course of a week, to the point where they are flat after 7 days. The loss is so slow that you it has no effect during the course of a ride, but I need to give them some air before each ride. Is this normal?

Found an answer to my own question. I was wondering whether the valve extenders might be misfitted, but seems they lose pressure in any event.

Seems to be normal from what I read here.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/04/news/under-pressure-tire-tech-from-paris-roubaix-2013_281135

What would be my concern now is do they suffer like clinchers when they are on the rim without pressure?

The problem of having the most comfy tyres ever is a good one to have so.

I'm a tubular virgin and wanted to try out an inexpensive tyre - I've read a bit about the Rallys and Conti Giros, but has anyone tried the Schwalbe Montellos? Or is it just worth going for something a bit better?

@T-V , @fussballclub this is completely normal with good tubs. It's all down to the latex innertubes in them - part of what gives them such a nice ride. Latex is quite porous compared to butyl and so the air will leak out of them over time. The same happens if you fit latex innertubes to clinchers.

So long as they have some air in them to hold shape they shouldn't suffer - in fact I seem to remember that it is better to store them not at full pressure...

NickL at that price point tufo pro 33 seem to get a good rating, thats what im considering unless anyone can convince me the rallys are a better option.

Are the Tufo repairable? I was under the impression you couldn't open them up to repair the tube...I'm probably (and frequently) wrong though...

Rallys are pretty cheap and nasty. I'd go for something with a latex inner tube for the ride and puncture resistance. I got a pair of Vittoria Corsa Evo CX for about £48 or so from Chain Reactions a while back and they've been perfect. The Montello looks like it might be fairly decent though.

I might try the Michelin Pro 4 next, but there's not many reviews out there on them. Anyone tried them?

Cheers Woodster. I may go with the Corsa Evo, as I run Pave clinchers on my other bikes and they've been great. I'd probably go for the Pave tubs if they didn't have the green stripe. The bike they're going on is Red and they'd clash horribly I reckon!