How to get a tubular tire off the rim FAST?
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I am using tubulars for time trials, but I don't worry too much about fixing a flat there, because if I get a flat, the race is over for me anyway.
Now I want to use the same wheels in races where it still makes sense to fix a flat and continue. It takes me very little time to put on the spare tire, inflate it and go, but it takes me 5-10 minutes to get the flat tubular off the rim. How can I do it more quickly?
There are long-course triathlon pros that are using tubulars, and they don't have SAGs, so they do fix their own flats during a race. How are they doing it? Someone suggested to me that when mounting a tire, they leave part of it unglued so it provides them with a grip to start pulling a tire of the rim. Sounds like a scary solution to me. Any healthier suggestions?
Thanks,
Alon
More practice, stronger thumbs ??? I can usually get mine off and on again in 1-2 minutes, but as for how I get them off so quick I don't know any special tricks. I just push one part off with my thumbs and then rip the rest off.
As for leaving part of it unglued that does sound scary, you don't want it coming off by itself on some downhill corner.
I used the white Tubasi glue which was very tough to remove. A quick way I discovered last time when I removed it:
Separate a small section of the tire, then insert a full size screwdriver between the rim and tire so that the metal shaft rests on both rim edges. Now grab the screwdriver grip and start turning it. The screwdriver will ride on the rim edges and unbond the tire, like a tin can opener. Some glue will end up coiled on the screwdriver.
More practice, stronger thumbs ??? I can usually get mine off and on again in 1-2 minutes, but as for how I get them off so quick I don't know any special tricks. I just push one part off with my thumbs and then rip the rest off.
As for leaving part of it unglued that does sound scary, you don't want it coming off by itself on some downhill corner.
Forgive my ignorance but I just got into the triathlon game last year and was wondering how you go about replacing a tubular in 1-2 minutes. Do you glue the replacement on? I've got a set of Zipp 909 tubulars and have not had a flat yet (knock on wood) but figured that if I did have a flat I'd just be out of the game. If I could practice and do a field expedient fix in 1-2 minutes I could stay in the race. Thanks.
I used the white Tubasi glue which was very tough to remove. A quick way I discovered last time when I removed it:
Separate a small section of the tire, then insert a full size screwdriver between the rim and tire so that the metal shaft rests on both rim edges. Now grab the screwdriver grip and start turning it. The screwdriver will ride on the rim edges and unbond the tire, like a tin can opener. Some glue will end up coiled on the screwdriver.
I often use a hub cone wrench, typically the 15/16mm thin flat type shaped like a dumbell, in a similar way. Prise open a gap between the tubular and the rim with the sharp end of one of the wrenches, then push the rest underneath. From there move the wrench around the rim, using both hands on either side, by rocking the wrench up and down like a seesaw and pushing it forward. That will remove the most stubbornly glued tubular. (I personally favor using plenty of glue as a rule)
Forgive my ignorance but I just got into the triathlon game last year and was wondering how you go about replacing a tubular in 1-2 minutes. Do you glue the replacement on? I've got a set of Zipp 909 tubulars and have not had a flat yet (knock on wood) but figured that if I did have a flat I'd just be out of the game. If I could practice and do a field expedient fix in 1-2 minutes I could stay in the race. Thanks.
No, I don't use glue when I put the new one on, my spares are preglued and with the glue on the rim that seems to hold ok, I haven't had one come off yet.
Thanks all for your tips!
Follow up:
Using more force and determination, I managed to pull of a well-glued tubular (no gaps) in 2 minutes with the help of a tire lever, and 2:30 minutes without. Putting on a pre-glued, pre-stretched tire is very quick, and inflating with CO2 takes seconds. All in all I feel that if I need it, I can change a tubular really quickly on the road, and therefore my tubulars are my wheels of choice for long triathlons.
Thanks all for your tips!
Follow up:
Using more force and determination, I managed to pull of a well-glued tubular (no gaps) in 2 minutes with the help of a tire lever, and 2:30 minutes without. Putting on a pre-glued, pre-stretched tire is very quick, and inflating with CO2 takes seconds. All in all I feel that if I need it, I can change a tubular really quickly on the road, and therefore my tubulars are my wheels of choice for long triathlons.
One more question: How do you go about "pre-gluing" the tubular? It would seem to me that the glue would stick on itself or other parts of the tire and cause a big mess. Thanks for the advise by the way.
Next week ill be testing out the tufo glue tape on a set of tufo 22's for my trainer ill get back in a week and tell you how good those work.Thay say the glue sets by the time it takes to air the tire and get one good spin on the ground!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One more question: How do you go about "pre-gluing" the tubular? It would seem to me that the glue would stick on itself or other parts of the tire and cause a big mess. Thanks for the advise by the way.
Yes it does stick to itself a little, but not anything significant. I mean it's not enough to make opening the folded tire hard in any way. (What does get messy is the Tufo sealant I have in the spare, but that's a whole different story.)
I put about 1/4 tube of Conti rim cement on my spare.
one fast way to remove the tubular is to roll it off the rim while going around a corner.
Use your brakes lots on a long descent.
after seeing what happened to belokki when he rolled his tub in the tour is enough to put anyone off!
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