Tubs

I've recently got my hands on a nice old track bike with some good specs.
My only issue is with the tubulars. I have a set of new tyres ready to go and have looked online for help and advice.
I'm not so keen but think I'll stick to them and hopefully learn something new.
As far as pro and cons go, some advice would be good.
I've also been warned not to glue them on myself with no prior experience.
Anybody use tubs here?
Any idea where's the best place to get 'em glued on?
Cost?

hope you're not planning to ride on the road with tubulars, it's not the sharpest idea.

The only con I know of is if you puncture, but if you spend most of your time in central it's not a problem.

Pros lower rolling resistance, better grip? You can pump them up much harder .They must be good other wise why would the pros use them?

Nah, keep them for the track.
To properly set the tub glue takes some 10 hours.
Plus you don't want to puncture at 180+ psi.

Stef hope you're not planning to ride on the road with tubulars, it's not the sharpest idea.

Erm....well that was the plan.
I wasn't particularly wanting to have new wheels built right now. -£££!
You heard bad things about using them on the road?
Anyone know of how much it might be to get them glued?
Is it better to buy new rims and replace the tubulars?
As far as punctures go, if I carry an extra tub I think I could manage the repair when I got home.
I'm quite handy with a needle!

MA3K Nah, keep them for the track.
To properly set the tub glue takes some 10 hours.
Plus you don't want to puncture at 180+ psi.

I'm getting scared!!!!

MA3K Nah, keep them for the track.
To properly set the tub glue takes some 10 hours.
Plus you don't want to puncture at 180+ psi.

Wow I didn't realise it took that long for theglue to dry.

Just looked up some more detail on Sheldon's site

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#tubular

Hi new bloke here - thought I might be able to give you some positive news!
I run tubs (got given sprint wheels too), and they are a bit of a pain in the arse, but not much.
First off, I use tub tape, not glue - it seems OK to me. I've changed a tub or two on the road - just bung on some new tape, then the tub, give it some air and off you go. Then you just have to get the sewing kit out and mend the puncture!
Second, Continental Sprinter Gatorskins are good tubs - expensive but nigh on bulletproof; Continental Giros on the other hand, are worthless. As soon as the rain come down, your air goes out.
There have been issues with them rolling off the rims while cornering, but I'm fairly sure that would apply to those freewheeling at speed round corners, not those of us pedalling round them.
I think they are a good thing, if a little inconvenient, but then again, its 15 years since i rode clinchers, so have nothing to compare them to!

that's right , i think that it might be worth to get new rims mavic cpx22 are cheap and tough
velocity look cool though

^^^Useful stuff.
I guess even if I puntured and replaced the tub, I'd have to be very careful rolling home with an unsecure tyre!
Does anyone here use tubular tyres?
Don't 'Shemals' require tubs?

Richard Cheese Hi new bloke here - thought I might be able to give you some positive news!
I run tubs (got given sprint wheels too), and they are a bit of a pain in the arse, but not much.
First off, I use tub tape, not glue - it seems OK to me. I've changed a tub or two on the road - just bung on some new tape, then the tub, give it some air and off you go. Then you just have to get the sewing kit out and mend the puncture!
Second, Continental Sprinter Gatorskins are good tubs - expensive but nigh on bulletproof; Continental Giros on the other hand, are worthless. As soon as the rain come down, your air goes out.
There have been issues with them rolling off the rims while cornering, but I'm fairly sure that would apply to those freewheeling at speed round corners, not those of us pedalling round them.
I think they are a good thing, if a little inconvenient, but then again, its 15 years since i rode clinchers, so have nothing to compare them to!

cheers Richard that's good to know. I'll find out what tubs I have. What tub tape do you use and are there any probs getting the tyre on when new?

I use Velox tub tape, which you'd be able to get in most shops, I know that I bought some from Evans once.
It's just superduper double-sided tape - and you get exactly enough for two rims on a roll - not a mm more, not a mm less.
You just have to stand on the tub and give it a good old heave-ho to stretch it before putting it on the rim. You have to be a bit handy cos you want to get it on nice and true, not all over the shop, and its a bit of a game, but a damn site easier than glue.

^^^Do you think they'll be probs due to the wheels having had tyres glued on once upon a time? Also, do you have to leave the tape to dry at all? I wonder if there's a site with some instructions...

As long as the surface is moderately clean - get some thinners on it, or some petrol, that should shift most of the old glue.
I use mine straightaway after putting the tape on (which I wouldn't do with glue) - they are no harder to take off after 5 weeks or 5 hours so I reckon its OK to ride right off.

Or just get some clinchers and a rebuild....

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#tubular
http://www.athenscyclepath.com/wconntubulartires.html
http://www.garynuke.homestead.com/tubular.html

I saw a guy riding the London2Brighton with tubs. How did I know? He had four tyres strapped to his rear pack!
I'd give 'em a big miss myself but I'm too lazy to get involved with tubs and assoc. maintenance.

I know a lot of the TT guys ride tubs on the road but we're talking 1hr long races here, not daily riding.

Pros are never a good example to use. They are fully supported. Watch the Mavic neutral support car dive in and swap out a rider's wheel..

My Colnago came with sprints and tubs. The ride was fine but I got pissed off with always having to carry a spare tub with me. That more than negates any weight saving on the wheels. Plus there's the fact that in my experience punctures tend to come in multiples...

Thanks to everyone for all your help. I'm gonna give the tubs a go for now and see how I get on. I like the idea of learning something new. If it simply doesn't work out I'll get a rebuild when I have the cash to spare. I reckon I'll be nervous when I first get them stuck on, so if you see someone riding incredibly slowly through Central London with their eyes firmly stuck on their tyres and wobbling all over the shop, give me a kick up the arse!

I use tubs on my Shamals. They are annoying but not too bad for punctures, Continental Sprinter Gatorskins are very good. You can pick them up for about 323 on the interweb. When I put a new tub on I use this stuff you put over the valve that puts a latex foam inside the tub (I cant remember the bloody name) I know your meant to use it once you get a puncture but this seems to prevent them too.

Vittoria Pit Stop Tyre Sealent thats what it is called. You could use tufo tyres. There bloody expensive but bullet proof.

I had some Very nice tubular wheels bought off ebay (tune hubs / DT spokes / FIR rims) very light but strong. But after the 3rd time the tubular punctured (in about 3 weeks) i got the rims swapped. My have been the cheap conti giros i was using but I feel better with them now. That said at 160psi they roll very quickly. Just mind those pot holes

I've always used glue not tape....

if using glue not tape, don't bother to clean old glue off rim, spreading new glue on will "reactivate" it.
24hrs before fitting tubs "dry fit" them onto the rim and leave them to stretch...
fit them next day will be a lot easier especially if using glue.
use the backing tape on the tub to help you line up the tubs straight with the rim

tubs are a bugger to fix....normal thread is not sufficient.....need something super strong

Tubs are way cool in my opinion. Smooth, fast and make a cool buzzing sound. I've got a set but don't use them everyday. Not good for skidding though, not only will they wear fast but skinny tires at 140+psi just don't stop but again they make a really cool sound!
I've punctured one and rode from Woking to London on a spare with no problems.

Mike Dyason does loads of tub accessories, even a 'Jantex repair sewing kit'
tub repair kit
also tub tape or glue.
mikedyason.com

My road bike came with tubs back in '95. They were really nice - light and fast - but I bent the back wheel in crash and got it rebuilt with a clincher. The front I kept as a tub for years, in London too. Recommend you stick 'em on with tape not glue - it's fiddly but relatively quick and (I imagine) not as fiddly as glue. I never had any problems with the tyre coming unstuck.

tufos - tried one once but just didn't like it for some reason. maybe it was the noise they made.

eventually the hub failed (flange split - radial spoking :) and i switched to a clincher after that.

Hi There,
If you are racing in Triathlons or TT or Road Races then tubs are cracking!!! If you are pottering around town or training (wet days especially) then tubs are not the right choice. They have less rolling resistance which means that you go faster for less/the same effort, they are a more comforfortable, smoother ride and in general, you are less likely to puncture if you have your tyres OR tubs pumped up to max pressure....ie. The higher the pressure, the less likely the rubber is to let a thorn or piece of glass through it. Use tubs for racing and clinchers for training. Oh yeah, and use tape not glue, but everyone should learn that the hard way!!!! ;-)