I would have to take exception to the idea that good tubulars are in any way cheaper than good clinchers. Over the past few years the feedback I've heard on upper line Vittoria tubulars is that they can be rather marginal. Personal experiance with relatively modern Vittoria tubulars was also rather mixed. The upshot is that even at $ 60 to $80 one cannot get a really good tubular with great QC (quality control). Veloflex makes an excellent tubular, (and Dugast in France), but they are all very pricey. And while the Veloflex is generally really great, they on occasion can be less than round. A clincher under $30 can be a blast to ride (the reasonably wide and comfortable Panaracer Stradius 26mm).
I've spent a lot of time the past few years comparing various tubulars and clinchers, and can relay a few personal thoughts.
1) Clement Wide tubulars such as Del Mondos are so comfortable that nothing comes close. The del Mondos are actually I believe faster than Paris Robaix tires (that is because wider tires all else equal yields lower rolling resistance). See Bicycling Magazine about 7 months ago. The downside is that wider tires make the bike feel as though it handles slower. The big upside, though, is that while it may feel like it handles slower it will actualy corner much better! Del Mondos are no longer produced and anyone should grab them when they find them. As a final aside, Del Mondos feel increadible on dirt - an expensive indulgence - but way less than a really good bottle of wine.
2) It seems as if a few manufacturers - Veloflex and Vittoria, are basically using tubular casings for top-end clinchers. Until this year I thought clinchers really were second rate until trying the Veloflex. I have not ridden the expensive Vittoria clinchers, but expect them to also be at least pretty nice. The nice thing about these trick clinchers is that a nasty but small puncture (i.e a nail) which would destroy a tubular (or force an messy repair) can be dealt with easily and cost effectively with a clincher. You're expenditure on a pricey clincher is not such a gamble as it is with a tubular.
But - how does the top-tier tubular vs clincher battle really play out? I believe that a really top tubular will win out, but it is getting close. Clinchers are less cushy, but they have a more solid feel in some hard to describe way. By playing with optimium pressure, one can find the sweet spot of a clincher as one would with a tubular. The kicker is that to get a tubular these days with the comfort and speed of a Michelin Axial pro 25mm for example, is nearly impossible. We can take a variety of steel bikes and make in many ways ride better (smoother, faster?, cushier) with the clinchers compared to most of the 21-22mm tubulars out there.
A couple of years ago, I was absolutely amazed that tubulars lost favor. Now I'm no longer surprised.
Now - will someone just make a really awesome 24-28mm clincher? As a tire gets wider, the inherent dissadvantage of a clincher is lessened.(In the old days, the French made a 650b wide touring clincher with casings similar to those found on tubulars. If someone would make a wider clincher with a real lightweight casing that would be quite a prize.
Hint Hint - Is there enough interest on the CR list for us to try to contract with a tire maker for them to be made? There are only 3 tire makers I can think of that could do the trick - one in particular would be perfect, but we probably need to offer to buy at least 500 - 1,000 pieces. 450 CR members - thats one pair per person for the cause.....
Mike Kone - Bicycle Classics inc.
At 04:43 PM 6/30/01 -0400, jackieosullivan@worldnet.att.net wrote:
>Jerry,
>
>In spite of what apers to be laborious technique, decent tubies (except
>things like Condors--yech) give one a feel for the road like nothig else.
>
>I cannot speak to performance on bikes made of modern materials, but
>a classic steel road frame with decent wheels and sew-ups is a dream.
>Plus, it is very quick and easy to change a flat--faster than a clincher.
>
>And the really weird thing is now they are cheaper. I am presently riding
>Vittoria Competition Rally 21mm tires. They only cost 16.95 at my local
>bike emporium. They DO NOT ride like a cheap tire--they popped on
>nice and straight, and so far have proved their Kevlar mettle on nasty
>city streets. They have one piece valves, but at that price they are
>disposable! (I don't even really mind fixing good tires--it used to be
>something of a cult badge of honor ;-)) Decent clinchers will run 25.00+
>for the tire and another 5 for a tube. This is 180 degrees of what the
>situation was even 10 or 12 years ago.
>
>My 2cents, but I'll take sew-ups for my good bike any day. And I have
>never found gluing to be especially difficuly.
>
>Hope this helps,
>Jackie