Re: [CR] Tubulars v Clinchers.....shot at dawn

(Example: Production Builders:Frejus)

In-Reply-To: <7543b4a40905301625p3f082a6fj43f14be352798827@mail.gmail.com>
References: <C646E2D1.1D3C9%greg@nofatmusic.com> <4A21751B.6010302@blueyonder.co.uk> <BAY129-W10E82B6AD2E5D28F9E649A04E0@phx.gbl>
Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 19:27:02 -0400
From: "Ken Freeman" <kenfreeman096@gmail.com>
To: Emilio Bozzi <emiliobozzi@hotmail.com>
Cc: greg@nofatmusic.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR] Tubulars v Clinchers.....shot at dawn


Sorry, neglected proper sign-off!

Ken Freeman Ann Arbor, MI USA

On Sat, May 30, 2009 at 7:25 PM, Ken Freeman <kenfreeman096@gmail.com>wrote:
> Nels, I really hope you can get that article and make it or its content
> available.
>
>
> On Sat, May 30, 2009 at 2:22 PM, Emilio Bozzi <emiliobozzi@hotmail.com>wrote:
>
>>
>> RE:
>>
>> Veloflex clinchers were then steets ahead of other clinchers
>> and close in performance to the best tubulars {underline edit}
>>
>>
>> Hilary, thanks for your response, and one that is a very noble and common
>> refrain.
>>
>> Please don't feel that I am singling you out, as I am not, but I have lost
>> count of how many times I have heard that modern clinchers ride "just as
>> good as" or "almost just as good as any sew-up".
>>
>>
>>
>> Allow me to pose a simple question to CR listers and ask them how many
>> time they have heard just the opposite:
>>
>> "I really like these sew-ups they ride just as good as clinchers!"
>>
>> I sure as heck have never heard anyone say that.
>>
>> And there is an obvious simple reason:
>>
>> Clinchers have never ridden, handled or performed as good any sew-ups in
>> my experience, ever.
>>
>>
>>
>> Those folks that have changed out their beautiful steeds OEM with sew-ups
>> for those bizarre clincher contraptions---and you know who you are---should
>> be shot at dawn! But not before you bequeath me the sew-ups you haven't yet
>> thrown away. (-:
>>
>>
>> Nels Cone
>> Seattle WA
>>
>>
>>
>> p.s. years ago, I wrote a rather indepth article on sew-ups versus
>> clinchers, complete with graphics for the Bicycle Trader. I do not know if
>> Bradley Woehl is still on this list, but if he is, maybe he can dig it out
>> and send it to us.
>>
>> > Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 19:04:11 +0100
>> > From: hilary.stone@blueyonder.co.uk
>> > To: greg@nofatmusic.com
>> > CC: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>> > Subject: Re: [CR] Tubulars v Clinchers
>> >
>> > When we did rolling resistence tests at Cycling Plus magazine in the
>> > 1990s the Veloflex clinchers were then steets ahead of other clinchers
>> > and close in performance to the best tubulars - and certainly offered
>> > better performance than the cheap tubulars...
>> >
>> > Hilary Stone, Bristol, British Isles
>> >
>> > Greg Arnold wrote:
>> > > Ahh! The conundrum of logic and language!
>> > >
>> > >> Hi Michael,
>> > >>
>> > >> If you have never used anything other than tubulars on your bikes
>> then how
>> > >> do you know that nothing else compares with their ride quality ?
>> > >>
>> > >> Regards
>> > >>
>> > >> Ken Hume
>> > >> London, England
>> > >
>> > > Ill leave it to Michael to respond - but I know he's been riding a
>> long
>> > > time, bought his first few Masi's from Falerio personally, and has had
>> a lot
>> > > of experience. I'm guessing he, like many of us, had ridden other
>> peoples
>> > > bikes with clinchers and decided long ago they were inferior rides!
>> > >
>> > > But it brings up a topic I didn't find a lot of archive info on --
>> > >
>> > > I'm interested in is what kind of tires the listers have found to be
>> > > 'stellar' rides from among the few brand choices left these days.
>> > >
>> > > I am curious because I've been running my own - costly! - test by
>> swapping
>> > > various sets of wheels on my fav rides to compare. This is primarily
>> because
>> > > I bought a stunning 63 cinelli last month - completely original except
>> with
>> > > Spence Wolf clinchers (the horror!) built on 60s hubs with the usual
>> spence
>> > > wolf touch of soldered spokes. I was told they were built in 1990, so
>> I'm
>> > > halfway off topic, but I expect a list variance! (since the wheels are
>> on a
>> > > 1963 SC) My first clinchers ever.
>> > >
>> > > Ive also been a sew-ups only rider all my life, but I must say, with
>> > > veloflex pave tires these clincher wheels are really tight, ride
>> > > beautifully, are pretty to look at, look just like low profile
>> tubulars, and
>> > > I'm told have a reliably long life. I've swapped the wheel set among
>> several
>> > > 60s and 70s bikes I own, and find them quite nice. I'm 6'2/185 so I
>> ride
>> > > larger bikes @62-63cm and I guess for even heavier riders/large bikes
>> these
>> > > clinchers may be a nice alternative.
>> > >
>> > > I have also found Tufo Pro 33s to be bullet proof, very well balanced
>> and
>> > > consistently made, thin profiled, and lovely. Plus they are cheap. My
>> only
>> > > gripe is cosmetic - the tan sidewalls oxidize over time and turn
>> almost
>> > > black. Anyone else have this issue? Or tried cleaning them with any
>> luck?
>> > > Please let me know how its done!
>> > >
>> > > Next I bought some larger profile vintage Clemente grifo 61s last
>> month to
>> > > further the experiment. Much larger profile, decent well balanced
>> tires and
>> > > period correct, handsome, but no great ride improvement.
>> > >
>> > > Finally I have been also riding Gommitalia Platinums. Premium tires,
>> perfect
>> > > balance, thin profile, very pretty in tan and black, and my top
>> > > recommendation if cost isn't an issue. They average $100/ a piece.
>> > >
>> > > So - anyone else care to chime in? Would love to know what people are
>> riding
>> > > these days and why.
>> > >
>> > > Gorgeous day in NYC, I'm off to soak up some road on the Veloflex
>> Paves!
>> > >
>> > > Thanks
>> > > Greg Arnold NYC
>> > > greg@nofatmusic.com
>> > > http://www.nofatmusic.com
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > _______________________________________________
>> > >
>> > >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>>
>> _________________________________________________________________
>> Insert movie times and more without leaving HotmailĀ®.
>>
>> http://windowslive.com/Tutorial/Hotmail/QuickAdd?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Tutorial_QuickAdd1_052009