Re: [CR]TUBIES and Clincher tire Rant

(Example: Framebuilders)

From: "P.C. Kohler" <kohl57@starpower.net>
To: <hersefan@comcast.net>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <010320050408.10305.41D8C52700053C2F000028412206999735020E000A9C9D0A08@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]TUBIES and Clincher tire Rant
Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 23:22:15 -0500



----- Original Message -----
From: hersefan@comcast.net
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Sent: Sunday, January 02, 2005 11:08 PM
Subject: re: [CR]TUBIES and Clincher tire Rant



> I agree and disagree.
>
> Today tubulars and clinchers are so close because the very best tubulars aren't made anymore. A top end tubular such as a Vittoria or Veloflex tubular is just not the same as a Clement Seta or a silk Del Mondo tubular of years gone by.

Of course an issue for those of us who want to keep the machine looking prototypical and "period" is the fact that most modern clincher tyres look like ****. Sorry, but I'm not putting a lime green and fushia tyre on my Cinelli no matter what it rides like. And an all-black one looks just as odd on a classic lightweight. And you loose the original rims, too, by changing to clinchers and that's a shame.

Even proper looking tubulars seem to be harder to find... I was told the Vittoria Corsa CX is no longer made with the traditional tan sidewall and black tread. The single most off-putting aspect of contemporary cycling has got to be the appalling aesthetics of it. Cycle as circus wagon. And tyres are among the worst offenders... yuck.

I am tubular newcomer but I like them a lot, even the cheap Vittoria Rallys I use. They have zero mojo quality but look traditional, ride ok, wear well and allow me to keep the nice original rims. And on eBay they are cheap. But I am splurging and fitting Veloflex Criteriums to my new wheelset for my Team Raleigh Pro.

Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA