Track Tyres, Indoor and Out

In terms of long term usage, tubular still a better bet than clincher?

I read that you'd fair marginally better (on track) getting a puncture on tubs rather than clinchers. They argued that tubs will hold together a few more seconds giving you a chance to bail...

@crazyfields I would think they do last longer and offer better performance and yep they would be better if punctured from what I have read up. There are a few sets on ebay atm goin for cheap if you search 'tubular' and dig through the other stuff. Most decent tubulars come with removable valve so with some sealant can be used again if they puncture too

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Conti-Podium-700-x-19C-Black-27-x-3-4-Tubular-Tyre-/131576016006?hash=item1ea28aac86

Okay, cheers for the advice man. I'll be selling on my other set of clinchers, to fund better cranks then =)

What psi would you recommend? 120?

And does it make any difference if it's outside (tarmac) or inside (boards)?

Not experienced enough to tell you tbh.. my pump gauge is also broken :-(

160psi

I'll try 160 for this weekend at Herne Hill then. Cheers

Anyone used these: Challenge Pista 260 Track Tubular?

I use them at Herne Hill. Can't really fault them

Cheers @StephenC

In terms of long term usage, tubular still a better bet than clincher?

On the track? Properly glued tubulars is really the only way to go. Not only to most tracks disallow clinchers--- for good reason--- quite a few set stringent specifications--- again for very good reason--- for what tubular tyres and their adhesives are allowed. While some tracks might lack a formal homologation most still have equipment inspection-- very important with tubulars given the potential danger to others by riding improperly glued tyres. Manchester interestingly allows clinchers--- my take on allowing clinchers is not that they are acceptable but clearly better than incorrectly glued tubulars--- but shortlists brands and models.

Most decent tubulars come with removable valve so with some sealant can be used again if they puncture too

I'm not too happy with the idea of sealant in a damaged tubular tyre on the track. Last thing I think I'd want to see is a sealent plug go flying from a tyre inflated to 13 bar, its latex sputting onto the track like Bukkake .. Tyres can be repaired. If you don't want to repair them then chuck them but....

Had a two hour session at Derby at the weekend. Even after re-applying the Conti Sprinters to iron out some of the lumps (at the valve mainly) they still feel rough if I'm honest.
Span on the rollers for an hour last night on them and the ride felt really harsh.
Can anyone recommend an upgrade? Vittoria Crono's got a mention earlier. Worth a pop over the Pista elites?
Cheers Jon.

For outdoors? Or indoors?

Indoors: Vitoria Pista Evo. The. Absolute. Business.

Outdoors: Pista CS or Corsa Extra.

Conti Sprinters are good lower cost road training tyres. For the track they are not ideal. On a budget I'd get the Tempos or Stehers. My favorite Conti for the track is the Sonderklasse. For elite racing the Evo CS is top but not for general use. A top and more robust tyre for elite competition is the Conti Olympic but horribly overpriced if they are to be purchased.

I wouldn't use sealed tubs or recommend to use them on track but if they do puncture the user has possibility to seal them for use elsewhere.If your going to bother to ride tubs on track (London) I would assume they were your track day specials and very unlikely to puncture.

Indoors on the Derby track only.
I'll look at the Vittoria's. I've raced TT's on their tubs before and they do run nicely.

Manchester interestingly allows clinchers

As does Glasgow, Stratford, Derby, Newport and all the outside tracks...

Not only to most tracks disallow clinchers

You're not in the UK, then?

Pretty sure LVV allows clinchers too. I think all the hire bikes have them.

@BeaconJon - Vittoria on everything for me. Road, track, commuter.

All Derby hire bikes are on clinchers I think.

All Derby hire bikes are on clinchers I think.

Hire bikes-- versus loaner bikes--- are nearly always heavy clinchers inflated to just under 8 bar (versus 12 bar or more for any tubular). It is just a question of economics, need and liability. Tubulars have much higher demands on the mechanics. An improperly glued tyre is quite dangerous. Good track tyres are expensive and don't last forever. Hire bikes too are typically limited to newcommers. They don't get used in higher level competition. A typcal hire bike tyre is the wire bead Vittoria Rubino: heavy, robust and cheap (10 EURO). They don't handle well but they don't really have to...

Nice essay - the question was about whether they are allowed not whether they are recommended though...

You literally couldn't pay me money to ride a rubino on a wooden banked track.

You wouldn't puncture Vittoria diamante prolight clinchers on the boards, though. Only £21, 220tpi, slight puncture belt, 170g... That's light enough if you're a catB and still on the weekend ales and home-made lasagne.

Who is puncturing tyres indoors now?