Introduction to tubular

[Thoglette]

Gluing tubbies is not rocket science, give it a go yourself (once you're confident the tyre will go on).

I'm interstate at the mo' otherwise I'd happily show you how.

.., and 650c probably narrows it radically

Unfortunately so.

You may need to import them (if do, let everyone know as there'll be options to split the postage). YellowJerseyhas some but they're $129US each.

[ironhanglider]

Smaller tubular tyres are available from Vittoria (Juniores) and Continental (Sprinter and Competition) at vaguely reasonable prices but sizing is tricky.

650c has meaning in terms of clincher sizes where the bead seat diameter is the only true reference. Sadly because tubulars don't have a bead to seat it is not so easy, however the nomenclature has been largely adopted for tubulars with a similar brake track location. Note that "700" sized tubulars are often referred to as either 27" or 28", and "650" in tubulars is also often referred to as 26". To make things even worse the Vittoria Juniores tyres are listed in places like Bike24 as for 559mm rims but whilst the Vittoria site describes them as both 26" and 650 x 21c it does not list a 559 size. It is quite possible that the 559mm reference is just a misunderstanding of the 26" description, but I don't have to bet my money on that.

Cheers,

Cameron

[eldavo]

Thanks, worst case could you talcum powder pre-stretch a 559 onto a 571, with aid of sunny afternoon and cold beer?

[Duck!]

559 is MTB 26". 650c/road 26" is a 571mm rim. To the best of my knowledge there are no road tubs for 559, and MTB tubs are incredibly rare. You're unlikely to ever even see a 559 tubular rim, let alone tyres to suit.

[Thoglette]

Thanks, worst case could you talcum powder pre-stretch a 559 onto a 571, with aid of sunny afternoon and cold beer?

Practically*, there's only three sizes of tubular available: full size (same brake track as 700C/ETRO 622. variously called 27" or 28"); 26" (same brakes as 650C / ETRO 571) and 24" (which I've never had).

You need 26" tyres. Bike24 have a range from Conti and Vittoria from 18euro (which shows there's a 22" tubular range too). Tufo do them too.

It seems that, once again, I'm wrong, sort of. Wheelchair users also have a 25" and a 20 and..

I say "sort of" as they say

Sizing is subtly different to clincher wheels and can be a bit confusing as most manufacturers still quote the old imperial sizes. However there are only 2 real sizes widely available: 27", 28" and 700c are all the same size: 28"/622mm, and 571mm/26" is the same as 650c. Then there are the weird small racing chair sizes...