You hear someone touting the superiority of tubular tires on almost every group ride.
Someone asks someone else what they recommend in the way of race wheels, and although the brand will vary, there are generally three constants: carbon, deep section and tubular. Then the discussion shifts to tubular tire brands and how best to mount them.
Oh, and this part is not only about the convenience of the new adhesive tapes or the importance of using as little glue as possible (even though three layers on the rim is generally recommended). No, it's also about being aware that the bottom layer of a tubular is itself held to the rest of the tire with adhesives, some of which may be incompatible with certain glues.
More: 4 Tires That Help You Bike Faster
Just as you notice the listener becoming intimidated by the thought of mounting tubulars and changing flats, the advice-giver quickly switches from the practical issues to the performance arguments:
- Tubulars provide lower rolling resistance
- Tubular wheelsets boast lower overall weight
- Tubulars corner better
- Tubulars are safer in the case of a flat tire
- Tubulars are less prone to pinch flats
- Most pros use tubulars
- And everyone's favorite: Nothing compares to the "feel" of a tubular
I am here to reassure you that despite the arguments above, you do not need to use tubulars. After months of interviewing manufacturers, elite riders and equipment experts of all kinds, I am convinced that if you are more fit than a competitor, you will beat them (or vice-versa) regardless which tire system you use. However, this article is not about which system is better; it's about which system is better for you, and why tubulars do not make sense for the overwhelming majority of riders.
I'm not anti-tubular. I run a great set of tubulars on a deep-section wheelset that live on my TT bike, because when I was looking at aero wheels, I figured every hundredth of a second counted. I had a pro mechanic triple-glue my rims over three or four days with ultra-thin coats of an excellent, compatible tubular glue and likewise prep my expensive tubulars with a very thin coating.
More: 12 Great Cycling Jerseys