Re: [CR]Stretching New Tubulars

> Well, following last week's thread about Tufo tape, I have finally
> obtained a few Tufo tires and tape to try these out. Unfortunately, I was
> able to obtain only the lower end tires, mostly the S22, in a tan
> sidewall. Wish they would make the whole line available in classic
> colors.
>
> One thing which the Tufos seem to have in common with more typical
> tubulars is that you have to pre-stretch the tires before installing them.
> My tentative attempt to install an unstretched Tufo using Tufo rim tape
> made me conclude that this is just as impractical as installing
> unstretched tubulars using rim cement.
>
> In 35 years of riding tubulars, I don't think I've every bought a tubular
> tire that didn't need to be pre-stretched. I did manage to accomplish my
> first tubular tire changes back in the early 70's without pre-stretching,
> but only at the cost of getting at least four times as much red Clement
> rim cement on myself as I did on the tire. I soon learned to pre-stretch
> new tubulars on an old rim at 130-150 psi for a couple of days before
> installing on a wheel with glue.
>
> Has anoyone else except me ever asked themselves why they have to make
> tubulars so damn tight? Is it not possibly to make a tubular ID such that
> it can be held on a rim by pressure alone well enough to ride home
> carefully after a change, without making it too tight to install without
> pre-stretching? Or are there guys with hands so strong they can stretch a
> new tubular onto a glued rim without making a mess? Of course it helps to
> get the tire on before you apply any glue (as I learned 35 year ago), but
> once you do, it's probably better to stretch it for a day before
> proceeding.
>
> While I love the traditions of cycling, getting these damn tight tubulars
> stretced onto a rim is one I could live without.

>

> Regards,

>

> Jerry Moos

> Big Spring, TX