RE: [CR]Tubulars

(Example: Bike Shops:R.E.W. Reynolds)

Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2006 19:48:06 -0600
From: "John T.Pergolizzi" <jtperry1@verizon.net>
Subject: RE: [CR]Tubulars
In-reply-to: <20060119234716.93196.qmail@web80107.mail.yahoo.com>
To: "'Dan Siniff'" <dcsiniff@sbcglobal.net>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>


Daniel Siniff wrote:

"one thing I do with inexpensive tubies is never exceed 90 lbs, it seems if the air pressure is pushed the casing stretches and the tire fails/ flats"

Please remember boys and girls to partially deflate those tubolaros after every ride (leave enough air so they keep their shape, maybe 20-25 lbs.) Especially the cheep ones seem to appreciate this more. Wipe down often with the gloved hand or at least finger tips, not too hard or the glass will get you too. Tyre savers were de rigor for the tourist crowd back when; don't discount their use ( if youse can stand the noise). Best road tire ever period: My first good bike, 1976 Raleigh Pro came with Clement Seta Extras; the green label jobs! Best track tire: Clement Tipo 3 silks; 195 grams of swoosh, swoosh, swooooosh.

Today, tubular wise, I use whatever is lying around that holds air. Only 4 or 5 of the bikes in rotation are glue jobs and the Confente has a pair of Clement silks. But I'd spend my greenbacks on Veloflex. I use their "Pave" clincher and it feels 98% a Clement Criterium cotton of the old days. At about 50 bucks a pop, they ain't cheep, but expect about 3,000 miles on a rear at 110 lbs. I'm 180-185 and not too gentile, so that's real good! And Mikie Kone is right on the "wood" feel of Conti's. Their made of "polyamide", if I remember right from when I used to sell um. That means nylon or some other non-flexable man made stuff. I rode those 18mm Super Sport Ultra's for about 8 years; very fast but not too comfy. Although my grandfather from Naples made washboards (and rolling pins) when he came to America, I've never felt that that effect ("washboard") slowed me down using narrow tires. Mike and I have "disagreed for a loooong time on this one , but we can still have a beer together.

Johnny T. Pergolizzi
Brooklyn, New York