Comments on: Tubular MTB - Say it ain’t so

By: Gunnar

Gunnar — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 19:07:10 +0000

For top level racers on certain courses I think tubulars would work very well. The ability to continue riding while flat is a plus, as well as less chance to pinch flat. With disc brakes the norm now, you don’t need to worry about the rims heating up on downhills and melting the glue.

On the flip side they would be a bear to change in a race, and they wouldn’t be good for recreational riders.

By: Brett

Brett — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:11:02 +0000

I’m lost. What is a tubular tire?

By: Grant

Grant — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 12:54:33 +0000

Or maybe I’m out of the loop. Does such neutral service already exist at the top levels?

By: Grant

Grant — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 12:53:54 +0000

This definitely seems like a change in racing brought on by the increasing permissibility of outside mechanical assistance for MTB racers. Can’t you just see a yellow Mavic neutral service pit full of carbon rimmed tubulars at World Cup or Nationals races? But yeah, for the average rider and recreational racer, this would be a big time no go.

By: Chris B

Chris B — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 06:01:43 +0000

Sorry, but are you really going to try and say not to ride tubulars cuz they might pull off the rim? Sure Beloki’s crash, or one or two others are spectacular, but that’s just not reality if you properly glue it, and it is far more rare for this to happen than various catastrophies with clinchers (I’ve seen these pop off rims, which might actually even be worse).

To give a immediately good reason why tubulars for mtb is stupid, just think about changing a flat. I mean, seriously, are you going to carry a spare mountain tubular?! No way. Second, changing a tubular on the road, or trail as would be the case here, is really just a way to not get stranded. Without it being properly glued, it’s just a kludge until you get home. It’s also going to likely take you longer to change it, as pulling glued tires off is a bitch, and then when you put your spare on, you can’t rush it, otherwise it won’t be straight, etc. Even if you use tape instead (I’ve switched to tape for my road tubies, and it’s much nicer), it’s still just not something you’d ever want to deal with for mtb. Tubeless is a much better way to go for mtb, and should not only avoid pinch flats, but also thorn flats.

Regardless, I think it’s safe to say it’s something that won’t be catching on.