Tubular or clincher?

[ehirsch83]

Andrea said everything I was going to say:-)
I also train on clinchers race on tubulars. If I flat, I have my training wheels in the wheel pit or wheel truck(depending on crit or road race).
I don't train on my tubulars(such a shame that those gorgeous wheels sit in their wheel bag unless racing) because of the hassle to change a flat, and having to carry an extra tire also.

Sooo.. thank you Andrea for reading my mind!

[skinny_kitty]

I wrote that tubulars ALMOST never flat, from what I understand. I do of course realise that all tires filled with air can flat, and although my question might sound stupid to you, I am not a total idiot. Just misinformed.

There was a language issue with dh -- he's from France. He thought "clincher" meant "tubular" and vice-versa, and he was the one telling me about the fact that no one had them among the pros. We bought this month's issue of Triathlon Magazine yesterday afternoon and it (ironically) contained a list of what all the pros ride on and use for tires, etc. They are all on tubulars (and this is where the language-light went on for dh!).

The only thing that worries me is getting a flat during a race, although, from what I understand from my newly acquired information, you can ride on a flat tubular for 20 miles without hurting your rims?

I'm a wipe-out whimp -- I've had two bike accidents that landed me in hospital and the idea of my tire just rolling off my rim in a sharp turn or for a sharp break just freaks me out (the risk that might happen if you change your tire during a race?)

And no, pro-triathletes have to change their own tires during a race. They don't get another one handed to them ("What it Takes" has a shot of Normann Stadler fighting with his at Kona -- he was freaking out because he couldn't get the flat tire off the rim; it was glued too soundly!)

Thanks so much for the kind responses. I'll be looking into the matter for races.

[Mr. SR500]

I'm in the same boat, looking at some 50mm carbon aero wheels. Most around here run tubulars, but I think I'm going with clinchers. I plan to use them more then just to race, the weight difference is almost 1 lb, I guess I can live with that, but overall ease they just make more sense.

[ehirsch83]

I'm in the same boat, looking at some 50mm carbon aero wheels. Most around here run tubulars, but I think I'm going with clinchers. I plan to use them more then just to race, the weight difference is almost 1 lb, I guess I can live with that, but overall ease they just make more sense.

What wheels are you looking at? 1 lb difference is a lot...

If you are planning on using them more then just racing, definitaly go with clinchers. I wish I had now(but I got an amazing deal on the tubulars, so I couldn't afford not to go with them being a struggling college student).

[skinny_kitty]

I wish I had now(but I got an amazing deal on the tubulars, so I couldn't afford not to go with them being a struggling college student).

Do you mind if I ask why you wish you'd gone with the clinchers? Are you disappointed with the tubulars?