Tubs or tubes?

[robsti]

Which do you think is better for our terrible roads (puncture resistance) tubs or 700cc ?

[RRS_Staffs]

What are you using them for and do you plan to have a Skoda full of spares following you around?

[robsti]

Training and Sportives ! And no team car anymore!

[shalmaneser]

tubes, you'd be stupid not to run clichers. What are you going to bring with you if you get a puncture while riding? A spare wheel, or a tube?

[robsti]

shalmaneser said:

tubes, you'd be stupid not to run clichers. What are you going to bring with you if you get a puncture while riding? A spare wheel, or a tube?

A spare tub perhaps! The question was which is the most puncture resistant?

[WeirdNeville]

Tubes all the way.

It's not just about puncture resistance, its the fact that if you DO puncture a tub then you've got to put a whole new tyre on, then hope it doesn't fall off as you gingerly cycle home, then re-glue it to the rim. It's a ball ache.

TUbs are fine for track use and if you have a car following you with a roof rack full of spare wheels, otherwise, keep it simple and use tubed tyres.

[Roman]

Clinchers - so many more 'puncture resistant' tyres to choose from than tubs.

For track, road racing, crits & time trialing where you are a serious contender - tubs. Generally lighter, faster, less rolling resistance & more compliant on harsh roads + you can change a tub yourself by the roadside faster than changing a tyre.

For all other riding, clinchers every time.

[anonymous-user]

the first time you ride on tubs you think you are floating, they are just incredible. for riding on UK roads however, they will probably last about a week and then be torn to shreds. they cost a fortune and as others have said, if you get a puncture and its raining, how on earth are you going to glue the tyre to the rim?....

i dont know anyone who rides sportives with them either, far easier to run clinchers then you can poach spares of passeers-by if it all goes to rats. for the layman, tubs are more trouble than they are worth to be honest.

[robsti]

Cheers for the replies, I have been riding MT bikes for the last few years but previous to that when I was racing it was tubs ! So I will get a new set of wheels for my 80's Colnago that I am going to use for training.
Any recommendations for puncture resistant tyres and strong wheels for the back roads that I will be doing the miles on?

[itsnotarace]

robsti said:

Any recommendations for puncture resistant tyres and strong wheels for the back roads that I will be doing the miles on?

Puncture resistance is more to do with recognising and avoiding obstacles and crap in the roads, tyre pressures and fitting the tyres correctly rather than relying on a particular brand in my experience.

[LMC]

itsnotarace said:

Puncture resistance is more to do with recognising and avoiding obstacles and crap in the roads, tyre pressures and fitting the tyres correctly rather than relying on a particular brand in my experience.

I would agree. Most punctures are caused by under inflated tyres pinching against the rim when you hit a pothole and stuff rather than thorns, glass etc.

If my tyre says inflate to 60 - 85 psi then they get 85.

[robbyd]

You don't need to worry about glueing a tub to the rim as you should have already inflated and spread a thin coat of adhesive over the spare before taking it with you - carry a small tube of glue - that's plenty. The adhesive will still grip extremely well even when separated and re-stuck, even dry; especially in warm weather. Whether you can inflate to 140psi with a mini-pump is another question...

As for durability, my Michelin ProRace3s seem to get cut much more than my Continental Competition tubs.

Edited by robbyd on Monday 21st March 19:00