Truth is the first three years I rode a "decent" bike, the Aquila came with clinchers (this was 1969-ish) ... in order to make the bike SAFE to ride after I got it, I installed the ubiquitous 1-1/4" Michelin Gumwalls. I really did love those tires, they had the funny lil raised squared center bead, and after the Aquila went away, the step-down-to-some U0-8 Peugeot got the old wheels and I stayed with those gumwall michelins until I was a senior in high school and the peugeot got swiped and I got a lovely OLD gitane from an exchange student...tubulars....and apart from the clincher-shod Specialized sequoia I haven't gone back.
Fast forward to today, I am about ready to finish building up my early 60's Cinelli, which came with old yellow-label 27" clinchers. It presently has Michelin "Bibsport 25" (27x1") tires, I'd never seen these before, and cannot imagine them as anything but more modern. What do people do for period-correct-esque large 27" clinchers now-a-days - for a riding bike that is?
Dale Phelps, Longmont CO
DTSHIFTER@aol.com wrote: Morning Folks,
I'm firmly in the 'Tubular Camp' and have been for 35 yrs. In all of those years, I have had one flat with a tubular and two flats on clinchers (didn't start riding on clinchers until 1980).
I think the tubular experience is a necessary one if you want to ride a classic lightweight racing bike. I know there are discussions about trying to duplicate the original riding experience as much as possible, and riding tubulars is one way of attempting to recreate that experience. Tubular tires are part of what was the "experience" way back when, so why not put them on your classic racer?
I do feel a difference when I ride on tubulars, but I don't know if it's subjective or objective (maybe a bit of both?). I also see (visually) a difference when I look at a built up classic lightweight.
For those of you who have not tried tubulars, do it! They are much more durable than many folks might have you think. Besides, the gluing is also part of what the experience was as well!!
My $0.02........
Chuck Brooks Malta, NY _______________________________________________
Dale B. Phelps, 303 939 6967 303 208 8664 pager
"Never be afraid to try something new. The Ark
was designed by amateurs. The Titanic was
designed by professionals." - R. Buckminister Fuller
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