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Why do Pros still get punctures?

I've heard the claims about how puncture resistant tubulars are, but am always put off by the prospect of having to fix one on the road if I did get a puncture. Clinchers are still so simple to fix or swap an inner tube, fiddling around with glue and stitching doesn't seem the bother. This raises the question, if tubulars are so great why do I still see Pros getting punctures? They have a team car following them, and I don't. Who can give me a convincing argument for tubular over clinchers.

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Nick T | 9 years ago
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Tubs are more puncture proof in that you can't pinch flat them, perhaps this is what you're thinking of? Because other than that they're just as resistant to sharp things as an equivalent clincher.

They are damn easy to fix with a bottle of sealant though, much easier than faffing about with inner tubes and tyre levers, they're lighter, safer and just all round better which is why I only ride tubs now.

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kev-s | 9 years ago
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Tubs are no less hassle to fix by the side of the road than clinchers are

You really have to try them to understand and see how easy they are

If i get a puncture on tubs i just use a can of victoria pittstop (sealant and co2 in one small 75ml can)

This fixes most punctures within 1 minute and your back riding, you can even pre fill the tub when you first fit them with pittstop and it will stay active for upto 6 months preventing small punctures

I also carry a spare pre glued tub which folds up quite small and is strapped to my tool bottle just in case the puncture is too big for pittstop to seal

Again this can take around one minute to replace with a little practice

Worst case scenario is you cant fix your punctures at all

Had this happen 15 miles from home (forgot the pittstop) but as tubs are glued on i was able to ride home on two punctures at around 10 miles and hour being careful on bends and potholes etc... no damage to the carbon rims as the tub splays out to protect the rim, even saw it as a challenge to see how far i could get and was quite fun!

Got home fixed the tubs with pittsop and im still riding on them now

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Welsh boy | 9 years ago
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Where have you heard that tubs are more puncture proof? They are still a rubber tread, maybe a puncture resistant band (but not very likely on a racing tub), a cotton or silk carcase and a latex or butyl inner tube which will still puncture if you ride over something sharp (thorn, edge of a pothole, large stone etc). As the others say, in a bunch you dont always get a clear view of the road ahead. If you work out how many rider miles a pro peleton cover in the course of a day/stage/race/year then I am surprised that there are not more punctures that there are. I also think that you need to question the reliability of your source of information on cycling matters.

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Leviathan replied to Welsh boy | 9 years ago
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Welsh boy wrote:

Where have you heard that tubs are more puncture proof?... I also think that you need to question the reliability of your source of information on cycling matters.

Here, and here.
People here are always saying that tubs are better. I haven't had a pinch flat in a couple of years as I now have a very efficient Lezyne track pump and keep my clinchers at 110psi weekly. So the main issue is sharps, which can't be prevented so inevitably I will need to do a roadside repair and I query the ease of doing so with a tub.

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I love my bike | 9 years ago
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Most of the pros racing time is riding in a large bunch/peloton, where they don't get to see and avoid all potholes etc, so just ride over them, quite often puncturing.

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2 Wheeled Idiot | 9 years ago
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Tubs for race/nicest wheels, clinchers for training.
I think this because the tubs are faster, feel nicer and safer etc etc.....however they are more expensive, difficult to repair and a bit awkward.
Go for tubs all year if you want but if its just coz the pros do it, don't bother.

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Mrmiik | 9 years ago
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Pros will run much thinner raceday tubs. Great for racing but prone to cuts like a racing clincher.

I presume you'd run something a little sturdier for training. Just like the pros use sturdier tubs or clinchers to train on.

Pros run tubulars as:
A) lighter
B) safer (tire is stuck to rim at 80kmph descent
c) the ride feel is wonderful!
D) carbon wheels, tubulars are needed here

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