Previously, we introduced the difference between tubeless and tubeless ready in our post, 【PIT TIPS】Which one is Lady Gaga? – Understanding the Difference Between Tubeless and Tubeless Ready –, but there is another type of tire that often causes confusion...
Tubular tires.
They all start with "tube," which is why it's easy to get them mixed up.
So, what exactly are these confusing tubular tires?
Today, let's explore that subject.
First, the appearance.
Once mounted, they don't look all that different.
However, once you get used to them, you'll be able to tell the difference at a glance.
What is the definitive difference between them and regular tires that you'll notice once you're accustomed to them?
It lies in how they are mounted.
While regular tires are installed by hooking the tire bead onto the rim, the biggest difference and characteristic of tubular tires is that they are bonded to the rim using a specialized adhesive.
Let's take a closer look.
First, the rim.
This one is for standard tires that use inner tubes, or for tubeless/tubeless ready setups. You can see the hooks on the sides.
In contrast, this is a rim for tubular tires.
It’s smooth. A tubular tire is secured by applying a specialized adhesive to this smooth surface and sticking the tire onto it.
Of course, the tires themselves are also different.
Here is a regular tire.
A familiar sight, right?
And here is a tubular tire.
It has a round, somewhat unusual appearance, doesn't it?
While this mounting method is the biggest difference, where do the pros and cons show up?
Let’s consider things from the perspective of the tubular tire.
Pros
・Both tires and rims are lightweight
・Because the tire sidewalls are structurally soft, the ride quality is excellent
・Tires deform smoothly, resulting in great grip
・Less prone to pinch flats (though not immune, so be careful)
・Because they are less prone to pinch flats, you can run very low air pressure (very advantageous for cyclocross)
Cons
・No compatibility with standard tires or rims, so you need all specialized equipment
・Fewer options available for both tires and rims compared to standard ones
・Flat repair is virtually impossible (not strictly impossible, but it requires a high level of expertise)
・Installation is very time-consuming (at Circles, we even recommend a special mounting method for cyclocross tires.)
Looking only at the cons, you might feel that they are difficult to use.
However, the superb ride quality and high level of grip are so incredible that once you use them, you become hooked. Despite the difficulty in handling them, they have many devoted enthusiasts—that is the hallmark of tubular tires.
You can choose tubular tires for road, cyclocross, or ATB, so if you're interested in being captivated by that supple ride quality, please feel free to consult with us at any time.
I, too, am one of those who have been captivated; I'm currently stuck in the "wheel swamp," owning a set for my road, cyclocross, and ATB bikes, so please feel free to reach out anytime.