Tubular advice....

[jdtate101]

I'm doing the paris-Roubaix challenge next yr on my CX bike and am looking at getting a cheap pair of tubular cyclocross wheels to use. I've been advised by an ex-pro in my LBS who has ridden the pro PR race to use tubs with sealant in them. It seems sage advice as I can avoid pinch flats and the sealant should deal with sharps flats. I had thought about tubeless, but apparently they can suffer from 'burping' on PR where heavy impacts can cause air to escape due to a temp break in the seal.

I guess what I'm after are recommendations for cheapy CX tubs. I'm not concerned about weight as PR is flat, but the wheels have to be strong. I'm about 80kg BTW. I will be using them with 27c Vittoria Pave tubs. I've seen some CX tubs on PlanetX, but they are disc ready models and I don't think they will fit in my frame. I'm going to ring them to ask if the normal road ones would stand the punishment, but if others have any recommendations, please post....


Thx..

J

 

[Wooliferkins]

Can't help you on the wheels but some info from a fat knacker who's ridden the Roubaix touristique (nearly full course not the shortened ASO version) The Pave's are a good call, I did it on 25mm Gatorskins and am a good 20kg heavier than you. One puncture caused by hitting a deep water hidden pot hole, deep enough to dump me in a ditch. I have the clincher Pave's on one of my bikes and they are faboulously flexible and good in the wet. It was the fatigue of constant vibration on the cobbles that did me in. Good luck

 

[Dusty Bin]

You can still pinch flat on tubs, and if you do, the sealant will probably not help. Normal road tub wheels should be fine - usually the only difference with CX versions of factory-built road wheels is the bearing seals - there's no actual difference to the build itself - so CX wheels are not inherently stronger, as such.

 

[VamP]

You can get cheap tub wheels from Merlin. Or get your wheelbuilder to rustle you up Open Pros on hubs of your choice. Or get elcheapo carbon from China.

I wouldn't get hung up on them being CX specific, none of my tubs are and they cope fine.

I would have a think about what else you will use the wheels for, as it seems profligate to have wheels just for one event, and then choose depending on other planned usage.

 

[jdtate101]

I would also use them afterwards for CX in winter hence the idea behind a CX set.

 

[jdtate101]

So after much research (and talking to a bloke who has done the PRC), I've decided to NOT use tubulars, simply because the chances of multiple punctures are very high and as I won't have a support car, running tubs runs a very high chance of ruining the day. My mate said he saw loads of guys on tubs walking as they punctured for the 3rd time and the tyre was done for, not roadside repairable. I'd rather this not be me, so even if the likelihood of pinch flats are greater I will just load up with inner tubes and go for a strong wide-bed clincher (Campag Khamsin CX) with Vittoria Pave 27c open Clinchers with latex tubes. That wheelset is 27 spoke on the rear, 20 on the front with sealed bearings and super strong for £120, so I would not be too precious if they got trashed. If they survive I will keep them as my winter road/CX set.

 

[VamP]

Good call on latex tubes, though I would counsel butyl for spares. Latex can be a bugger by the roadside.

Of course the other option with tubs is to carry spare tubs as well as sealant. They are not much harder to change than tubes, if you use tape to glue them on.

 

[jdtate101]

Good call on latex tubes, though I would counsel butyl for spares. Latex can be a bugger by the roadside.

Of course the other option with tubs is to carry spare tubs as well as sealant. They are not much harder to change than tubes, if you use tape to glue them on.

Could do but it's a right faff to do especially if the weather is cold and rainy. Changing a tube in the rain is one thing, getting tub tape on and then a new tyre is quite another. PR has a reputation of being unpredictable, so I think going for what you know and ease of maintenance will be key. I do not want to be one of the guys standing at the roadside looking pissed off.

 

[solidthegreat]

Hi all, I have only been cycling for a couple of years but I am also looking to compete the PR next April and have never ridden pave before. I have taken lots of good advice on board but I've heard a couple of stories that it has destroyed bikes/cracked frames. Is it really that bad that it can do that to a bike? Not that worried about the wheels as I am using training wheels, but the bike is a different issue.
I will be completing it on a 2010 Specialized Allez sport, alloy frame with stock carbon forks. Group set upgraded to ultegra so bit worried.
The other question I have is will I be able to put 27mm tyres on to my rims. Currently they have 23mm on but not sure how it works.
Thanks all for being patient with a newbie

 

[VamP]

May or may not be of use to you fellers, but Merlin have started to stock the Veloflex range, and are doing an introductory 10% discount, over and above the customary 20% off. This means clinchers under £30 and tubs under £70. The Roubaix would be ideal for your purposes.

You need to enter discount code VELO10 at checkout.