O.K. , so I'm a "retro-grouch" . I love Tradition ( capitol T , as spoken by Tevya in "Fiddler" ) . I read things such as "Classic Rendezvous Mailing List" , "Vintage Bicycle Quarterly" , "Rivendell Reader" , etc .
I believe old-old things which have somehow miraculously managed to survive , should remain original . "A thing is only original once ." And if you absolutely must replace a small part of some historic machine , try to remain faithful to the original .
HOWEVER ,
I do respect and recognize true advancements . The next time I set up a pair of tubular wheels , I won't use regular old glue , with regular old sew-up tires . I'll use Tufo tape , Tufo tubular tires ( not sewn , actually really tubular ! ) , and Tufo tire sealant .
After decades of nasty failure , and semi-success , it seems that tire sealant for high-pressure bicycle tires might finally WORK !!
So , despite years of explaining to casual cyclists just exactly why the DON'T want "foam-tires" , "puncture-proof-tires" , etc . . .
I am ready to admit that there might have been some significant advances made , in the past several decades . And I admit that this is especially true in the fields of plastics and synthetic rubbers .
So Daniel , when you wrote "airlesstires.com" , did you mean "airfreetires.com" ?
Google couldn't find "airless tires" . Also , Air Free Tires does make a Daytona TT . It is interesting reading . Those tires actually seem tempting to me , for a commuter bicycle . Maybe more appropriate for "BOB List" that "C. R. List" ??
I still recall with some horror , seeing the ruined remains of cheap hubs , after thoughtless "casual" riders had fitted hard tires onto their "casual" bicycles . Please don't beat to death any vintage hubs!!!! They don't make those nice old hubs , nor those nice old headsets , anymore!!!! But maybe this idea has finally been done successfully ??
Positive experiences anyone ?
http://www.greentyre.com/
http://www.americanairless.com/
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/
( scroll down for "airless" )
( you can not deny physics )
Raoul Delmare
Marysville Kansas
<classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 11:15 PM
Subject: Re: [CR]Tubular tire repair...help!
>
> I'll say again though few will listen - check out Airless Daytona time
trial tires (airlesstires.com). No pump, no patches, no spares, no flats,
no worries. Tires used to be my biggest maintenance problem commuting 40
miles a day, now they are the last thing I ever worry about. I use Tufos
and sealant on my weekend rider (country roads and I can't afford to change
my tubular rims so I can't switch to Airless tires - yet) but switching to
Airless tires has given me a whole new feeling of freedom when I ride. I
will never go back. Putting air in tires? What a dumb idea!
>
> Daniel S. Swords
> New Orleans, LA
>
>
> Roadgiant@cs.com wrote:
> Hi all,
> I've managed to suffer six flats in the last five rides each time
> removing a tiny thorn that looks like a miniature roofing nail. Each tire
has been
> brand new and my question for the list is: How does one remove the base
tape
> on tubulars so that one can begin the futile task of patching and
> re-stitching? It will make me feel like I took action over these thorns if
I can make a
> stab, take a shot, cut through this tubular tire repair issue.
> Thanks in advance.
> (Old tubulars make fun dog toys! They grab on and you can spin them
> around! I have six available for immediate sale! Delight your canines!)
>
> Scott Smith
> The peaceful village of Van Nuys, Ca-lee-fornia!