Hi Gang,
Here is one for the group to debate, as I'm sure opinions would be varied.
How does one judge the safety of a tubular tire? I am thinking in terms of bikes we own that may be ridden only on occasion that have old tubulars on them. When does the glue dry out and the tires become a danger to rider (or followers) by potentially rolling off the rim? Some of my bikes only get exercise on special sunny days. Tubulars on such bikes may have been mounted 2 or 3 years ago. The tires are otherwise in fine shape, but what is the risk?
It certainly would take away the spontaneity if the safe routine would be to re-glue the tires on these machines 24 hours prior to riding. Then there is the additional problem (I've experienced with the Clement Paris-Roubaix tires made in the far east in particular) where the base tape can separate from the tire when removing it from the rim. Presumably that indicates that the tire was still adequately adhered to the rim, but by then it is too late.
I have a vested interest in this discussion, as last summer I was taken down in a track bike race when the rider whose wheel I was following rolled a tub of his rear wheel. The resulting crash left me with a fractured hip. You may imagine that I am a little gun-shy regarding tubulars at the moment. I dearly love the ride of tubulars, and even like the ritual of mounting them. However, with the winter maintenance season upon us, my thoughts are towards converting some bikes from tubs to clinchers. Advice from the experts on our list would be appreciated.
Best regards,
Larry Strung