Carbon Clinchers

[jowwy]

Seems there is a debate going on as to why people would buy or use carbon clinchers. So the question is,

Do you use them?

Why?

or why not?

 

[HLaB]

I cant justify the expense but I'd be dubious of their braking in the wet (having seen Thomas et al struggling in Pro races) but If I could affor them maybey the bling factor would overide

 

[Rob3rt]

No I don't, for several reasons....

1) The tubular equivalent is generally cheaper
2) The tubular equivalent is generally lighter
3) If I puncture in a race the race is over anyway so couldn't give a toss about fixing a puncture on the road side
4) You can ride carefully on a flat tub for a short way without damaging your rims
5) You can run higher tyre pressures, generally
6) A good tub needen't cost much more than a good clincher and good inner tube.

Probably many more reasons other than these.....

 

[jowwy]

not many people running carbon clinchers then.

 

[VamP]

I think the sportive crowd generally prefer clinchers and the racing crowd tubs. Generally.

Tubs are better

 

[Dusty Bin]

not many people running carbon clinchers then.

I'm sure there are plenty of people running carbon clinchers - there are certainly plenty of them for sale online, so they're obviously popular. But - as a serious, practical and cost-effective kit choice, they suck, big time.

 

[jowwy]

I'm sure there are plenty of people running carbon clinchers - there are certainly plenty of them for sale online, so they're obviously popular. But - as a serious, practical and cost-effective kit choice, they suck, big time.

if u say so dusty

 

[Herzog]

Tubs! Carbon clinchers...pointless!

 

[jowwy]

Tubs! Carbon clinchers...pointless!

why are they pointless??????

 

[Herzog]

why are they pointless??????

For that money, you're better off getting tubs and feeling the benefits of the carbon rim. Sticking a clincher on a carbon rim is, in my opinion, a wasted opportuntity.

 

[jowwy]

well maybe the pro peleton think differently to the average cyclist.

but hey each to their own i supppse.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I have tubs and clinchers from ENVE, and Zipp which are both respected wheel producers.
Imho tubs and clinchers both have their advantages as the pro peleton are now starting to appreciate.
AG2R extensively use clinchers as do Omega Pharmacy Quickstep in the spring classics.
Zipp state that their clinchers have a lower rolling resistance than tubs which gives them advantages in certain situations.

My own view is I would take the best wheels available, as such would rather have a good clincher from a manufacturer like Zipp than a tub from PlanetX

 

[Dusty Bin]

what about a tub from Zipp?

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I have 202, 303, 404 zipps in tubs and clinchers and 808 and disk tubs.... I quite happily use either under different situations.
If I had to pick one wheel I have to ride all the time it would be the 202 clincher which is just an amazing wheel to me, I am unable to explain it, justify reasoning behind it. Compared to all my other wheels I just think its the least flawed

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Tony Martin and the OPQ team which won the 2013 team time trial appear to have now dropped tubs for time trials and are using clinchers. They must work reasonably well as they won.

Clinchers are being used by the team as they offer a lower rolling resistance and Martin's mechanic pumps his 24.2mm tires to 8bar (116psi).

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/pro-bike-tony-martins-specialized-shiv-tt-38517/