While we all know about pre-stretching on old rims,this last thread was about tubulars too tight to get onto old rims even with the help of three round shank screwdrivers!!!!.Stretching with wood working tools or weights made this first step possible. Manufacturing variances,or whims of the cycling Gods, make some tires very,very tight. ArtLink.San Antonio,TX
Fred Rafael Rednor <fred_rednor@yahoo.com> wrote: Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 20:15:58 -0700 (PDT) From: Fred Rafael Rednor <fred_rednor@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [CR]Tubulars-Sew-Ups To: Chuck Schmidt <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net>, CR RENDEZVOUS <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Todd Teachout wrote: > > > I haven't followed this whole thread but it appears > > as no one mentioned > > the tried and true way of stretching. If I someone > > mentioned it and this is repition, sorry. > > > > The way to do it is to take a new tire and mount it on > > either a new > > (unlaced) or beat up(and cleaned up) rim. The rim is to > > have no adhesive. > > Manhandle the lightly inflated (enough pressure to make > > it round) tire on the rim. Pump it up to 95 to 130 psi > > (depending on the pressure limit > > recommendations) and let it set for 2-3 days. > > > > If it doesn't blow during that period, remove, deflate > > to 40-60 psi and place in a dark cool place until just > > before ready to use and then remount > > 24 hours before you start working with the glues. > > > > Nobody told me about this when I was new to sew-ups 35 > > years ago (at age 14). It took me about 1.5 years to > > figure it out. In the interim I tried > > mounting glue prepped virgin tires on glued prepped > > rims > > and attempted to wrestled them on 'till I was sweating > > profusely, cussing under my breath > > and/or ready to cry. Lacking solvents to clean up the > > mess I created I rode my bike with messy tires and > > suffered through glue covered hands and > > destroyed shirts until I figured it out. > > > > Todd Teachout > > Hercules, CA > > Todd, > This was the method I was taught many years ago by an > old Italian pro... > > > Chuck Schmidt
It seems that brothers Todd and Chuck figured out the right way to deal with tubulars all on their own. But last Autumn, didn't Ted Ernst send the difinitive work on tubulars to the list? (Perhaps with some extra tips from Brian Baylis and Norris Lockley?)
All I can add is that, like Ted and Todd, I stretch my tubulars on an old rim for a couple of months. If they're those tight Continental Sprinters (which in fact is what I use on my track bikes) I get them onto that old rim with the help of a round shaft screw driver. Perhaps you can stretch them more quickly with woodworking clamps, but stretching them on old rims keeps me in touch with the cycling gods of the past... Fred Rednor - Arlington, Virginia (USA)
____________________________________________________________________________________
Be a PS3 game guru.
Get your game face on with the latest PS3 news and previews at Yahoo! Games.
http://videogames.yahoo.com/
The Columns on Alamo Welcome to our bed and breakfast in San Antonio, Texas. Come fiesta with us! We offer off-street parking, and the downtown trolley stops just a 1/2 block away! All rooms have a private bath, TV and telephone. Wireless Internet Access available in all rooms (EXCEPT the Rockhouse Cottage) Please contact us if you have any questions, thanks! (210)271-3245 · (800)233-3364 · ArtLink@ColumnsSanAntonio.com