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grumpyphil

RAMBLE ALERT!
Reading the Tubular thread has been really instructive and at least somewhat enlightening for a guy who has come back to cycling after 45 yrs (don't ask). I think somewhere I mentioned that I've been thinking about switching over to sewups because I have kinda hated the ride, the weight and just about everything else about them. That may STILL happen but I recently made a tire switch that has given me some pause. When I bought my bike, I asked to have whatever was as close to bulletproof as possible put on it as I'm riding mostly in Brooklyn. What I got was Conti GP 4 Seasons. Bulletproof they ain't. In 3000 miles, I had 6 flats and and had to scrap one for a sidewall tear. Most of this happened early on in that 3000 miles and it could be just bad luck because lets face it, one place where luck plays a role, is tires. Luck, good or bad, I can deal with but the feel of them really sucked in my estimation. A couple weeks ago, I switched over to Michelin Pro 3 Race, and I have to say, I'm now thinking maybe these clincher thingies ain't so facoccta afterall. I've got about 500 miles on 'em now, and so far so good. Most important is they FEEL nice.
It's kinda difficult coming back to this sport after all these years...I have these things (preconceptions?) of what things should be like and what I remember them as. Sometimes I feel like my (flawed?) remembrances get in the way of reality and other times, I just KNOW you squirts don't know yer arses from yer elbows. Take that nasty red/brown goo Clement glue for instance...I don't know WHAT the HELL you guys are talkin about! I've front flatted at 60mph in the mountains of S. Calif. and never rolled a tire. I can't believe it doesn't exist anymore. That alone has me thinking twice about going back to sewups (I HATE the term "tubular"...somethin' about it makes me want to puke). OTOH- I HAVE noticed that the pros don't use these clincher things and team cars or no, you can damn well bet they ain't going to let these highly paid little princes get hurt by rolling tires so maybe a little investigation will find the glue of choice.
I hope I can figure this out....I really want to build a couple sets of wheels this Winter.
GRUMPY[/b]

Gtane

Grumpy,

This has to be one of the beauties of cycling.

Over the years I have found that much of the machine is down to personal choice and what works for the Pros does work for the non Pro in many situations and cases. However, as you say, the Pros have support vehicles following to replace and, even though they are working to a budget, still have few cost limitations regards replacements compared to me.

I adore tubs and have never had one roll. For those who have not done it, there is an art to sticking tubs to the rims and the using of the right glue but so much is again down to personal choice and the way it's done. You can have a recipe for a Victoria sponge, give it to ten people and each cake will look and taste completely different. Why? Well, everyone has their own touch and feel. That's just the way it is.

Tyres and wheels are a big area of the bike, second in importance to the frame. For wheels there is the weight of the rider, the type or tyre, the type of grip, the width, spokes, rims, just so many variables but at the end of the day it's really down to personal choice after research, and for the Pros, it is usually sponsorship.

It's hard to say what one should go for but if you're going for two sets of wheels, my thought would be one high pressure set and the other tubs, to give a balance. I agree about cements and the Pros (perhaps Chas might be able to help us here). As I constantly remind myself, Pro teams do things professionally, for their living, I don't, but if I can get to somewhere within their levels of what I would hope to be very good quality controls, then I'm happy. The only instance that I have seen in recent years of a tub rolling was Joseba Beloki when he slid while ahead of Armstrong and his, now legendary, diversion across a ploughed field in 2003. This brings me on the the next point of cyclo cross. Many (virtually all actually) top cyclo cross riders used and still do use tubs but there are very few rolling instances. You also don't hear of, or see, tubs rolling in the Classics but there are many flats.

It's highly likely that even at Pro level all teams will differ when making Victoria sponge, but the results will be closer than those who don't do it every day of the week.

Tim

verktyg

Tim,

I did a Google search on "Victoria Sponge" for the benefit of us Yanks and here's what I came up with:

Gtane

LOL Chas. You're absolutely right.

It's a great cake if you get the chance to make it.

Tim

verktyg

"Let them eat cake!" Laughing

Chas.

grumpyphil

Gtane

Grumpy,

They're not bad at all, high pressures. I ride both and take whatever I need for the ride with whatever I have on the bike of the moment. When it all boils down to it, and all is said and done, I'm really not fussed what I'm riding so long as the things are not perished. Just getting out on the bike to enjoy the moment is always my goal.

In my experience there is a difference between the two tyre types and I've been fortunate so far with few punctures when using tubs. Like you Grumpy, I very much like the old stuff and the ways of doing things, and that's probably because that's what I've grown up with as well as what I know. That can only be natural. I also like to move forward too to try out new equipment to compare against previous but I can sometimes find it hard to let go. I always say to myself, 'embrace the past and look to the future because change is guaranteed'.

At this moment in time we have many road holes in the UK that can seriously tear up the tyres and wheels. This is my biggest concern when riding. Night riding can be very hazardous indeed while the roads are not as good as they once were.

I do have a pair of Open Pros on Record hubs (photo below). My opinion - cracking and a gorgeous ride.

I'm yet to be convinced by the tubeless developments.

Tim