Clincher v Tubular - what's the difference

[nitrous]

What's the difference between clincher and tubular wheelsets. Is it simply the way the tyre attaches to the wheel? Can you use the same tyres/tubes on each?

cheers

 

[rhsnyder]

For what its worth - here's my two cents:

Tubies glue onto the rim and clinchers use a lip on the rim (like a car rim) to attach the tire to the rim. Tubie rims are lighter because they don't have the rim lip.

Tufo makes a tubular tire that can be mounted on a clincher rim. I think Tufo is the only company that does.

As for the tires - Tubies run at a higher inflation pressure reducing contact patch and thus rolling resistance. Also, tubies have a rounder profile/cross section (like the difference between a car tire and a motorcycle tire) providing a more even ride when you’re not straight up on your bike.

I ride both clinchers and tubies. I love my tubies! The ride is so much smoother. I find tubies are no extra work, really. You need to plan when mounting a new tire - need to stretch the tires before mounting and let glue dry afterwards. The only real down side is, once one flats its pretty much junk. I know you can patch them or have the tube replaced - never really the same.

rhs

 

[boudreaux]

I ride both clinchers and tubies. I love my tubies! The ride is so much smoother. I find tubies are no extra work, really. You need to plan when mounting a new tire - need to stretch the tires before mounting and let glue dry afterwards. The only real down side is, once one flats its pretty much junk. I know you can patch them or have the tube replaced - never really the same.

rhs

Expensive junk,and pretty pointless if you don't race.

 

[nitrous]

Thanks for the replies guys,

So, from what I have gathered from the above posts, unless I'm racing (I'm not) use clinchers.

They appear to be easier to mount and change, no glue required.

Is that correct?

 

[keydates]

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#tubular

I've heard that clinchers are making ground on tubulars in terms of tire pressure.