Cyclingnews reviews Fulcrum’s new carbon clinchers, Reynolds has launched an impressive new line, Bontrager’s got a really expensive set, and 07 is going to be the year of the all-carbon clincher (after the jump, a link to how all-carbon wheels are made by MQC for Reynolds).
I’d never ridden tubulars until this year and now I know why; I was terribly frightened of Tufo’s tape, lost the valve inside the rim for a while, and was always messing with the air pressure. Tubulars are like dating someone that’s high-maintenance. After a while, no matter how sexy hot they are, it’s not worth the trouble.
Sure, I get the weight penalty, old school ride, and the tubular v. clincher debate is as old as Bob Roll. But with about 40 grams difference between a typical set and clincher tire innovations, I think the debate is soon over.
For an exhaustive review of bicycle tires and tubes and most everything else, see Sheldon Brown. Also check Tubes, Tubeless, or……..Tubular? and 808 v. Hed3.
Finally, enjoy Composites World’s review of all-carbon wheels and how they’re made.
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