Wheel advice

Tufo do good training tubs, but they're not cheap. Some come with puncture proof ply along the center, but I imagine the sidewalls could be a weak spot.
http://www.tufo.com/
these rallys are amongst the cheapst around (no idea what they are like).
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=Y1190

(...) but for HH use road ones with a puncture belt

(...)

Road tubs for general training, conti gator skin or vittoria pista for 'tracing'

Thank you very much :-) (doh!)

Thanks everyone for the advice (especially stelle)

also, how did you manage to get in there?

By selling my soul and my pride and joining the Lloyd's of London Cycling Club in the knowledge that they had a track day at Manchester in the offing. Rollapaluza CC is still my first dibs club as I would hate all my accumulated racing points to go elsewhere ;o)

The Lloyd's of London Cycling Club you say. They sound like a fun bunch. Nice move.

We shall, no doubt, exchange anecdotes about Alternative Risk Transfer, Catastrophe Bonds and Quota Share Treaties as we pedal.

lucky fucker

is Manchester hard to get access too?

since last august, yes

Hence pursuit sponges on the track for inductee Guardian reporters.

Do all the real first-time-track riding inductions on nice easy going grass-routes outdoor tracks. Then progress to busy, scary, strict, expensive, as-used-by-national-squad indoor ones. There was one in Fallowfield in Manchester until the 70s. Now its been replaced by yet another student halls of residence.

We shall, no doubt, exchange anecdotes about Alternative Risk Transfer, Catastrophe Bonds and Quota Share Treaties as we pedal.

pah! you should just buy the track! less talk more action! :)

[quote=JC;904992]
Do all the real first-time-track riding inductions on nice easy going grass-routes outdoor tracks./quote]

+1

OK. So getting ready for Manchester at the weekend.

Jos has kindly offered to lend me some wheels with tubs but a thought struck me after chatting to JC a while a go. I bought a Vittoria Diamente Pro Tech 23 mm clincher - on the basis that, if necessary I could always have it to use on my rear wheel. I put it on my front wheel and inflated it. As soon as it got near the requisite 119 psi the wheel ceased to rotate. I then took two small pieces of card and popped them into the drop out. A mm or two of additional and necessary clearance. Tightened the wheel up and it runs really nicely - with the bike upside down.

Will it work when my weight is on it? What could go wrong? I suspect that I will still avail myself of Jos' kindness but just wondered.

Worst case?
Cardboard slowly compresses and finally gives out when you are at the top of the banking and your forks make contact with your tyre sending you over the bars and sliding down the track whilst your bibs disintegrate and Victoria Pendleton and Chris Hoy laugh at you.

Tubs FTW!

well, don't use card, use something hard!

you shoulda said t'other day. I had a front tubular wheel with tub going spare

Cut some 5mm strips from the lid of a tin of beans or something. I used to have a shim like that above the right hand side of my rear axle on the Condor, before I bothered attacking the track ends with a file. (the frame was pissed - wheel skew-whiff between the seatstays - ask Sam...)

Coincidentally, I've just been at it again today, only this time to 'lengthen' the track ends, so that I can remove the wheel (with 14t/18t/22t sprockets) without resorting to a chaintool. I'm long past treating the bike with any deference.

Thanks. I will see Jos but will have a slither of can available just in case.

Hoy is too polite to laugh. Not sure about Pendleton though.

Youre still a git for getting to ride machester!

Use ball bearings, glue them in place then do the wheel up nice and tight. You can always whack them out later with a hammer and screwdriver.

Hoys not one to talk. Track fail!