Road Newbie Question : What are Clincher rims?

Mike Jakes said:

Hello all - I've been mountain biking for several years but am new to road cycling. I'm considering building my first road bike around a used frame (I reason I'll get more for my money) and would like to find out what clincher rims are as I haven't come across the term before.

Thanks in Advance

It's a regular rim/tire with a tube as oppossed to tubeless tires that are glued on.

"Clincher" is just the common name for the type of wheel that take an inner tube under a u-shape tire, as opposed to "tubular" tires (AKA sew-ups, or tubs) that have no inner tube and have to be glued to the rim. Think of tubs as having high pressure capability (i.e. ~160-200 psi vs. ~100-120 in a clincher) and as a result less rolling resistance, less weight, as well as a jarring ride...they are still used commonly by pro's or in competitive situations, but clincher quality is nearly as good and the hassle of gluing tires to rims is enough to counter the dubious benefits of tubs for 99% of the population.

Another point commonly mistaken... yes tubulars save a bit of rotating weight (maybe 50-60 grams per tire) but if you're carring another tubular as a spare (vs. just a patch kit) that's negated somewhat... You can ride a unglued spare (cement drys overnight) gingerly (they would roll off if you push em in a corner).

Mike Jakes said:

Hello all - I've been mountain biking for several years but am new to road cycling. I'm considering building my first road bike around a used frame (I reason I'll get more for my money) and would like to find out what clincher rims are as I haven't come across the term before.

Thanks in Advance

Maybe a newbie to road cycling, but you've probably been using clincher rims on your MTB, as you say, it's just a terminology thing.

If you haven't seen it before, I shall defer to a much better resource - this is an excellent source of information on bicycles http://sheldonbrown.com/glossary.html

Cheers,
Ritch

Thanks for the speedy replies guys - very much appreciated.

I'd like the forum's views on the frames etc that I've been offered - does forum protocol dictate that I request this in a new thread? (I'd rather not upset anyone *just* yet...)

Cheers
Mike