paul@hpfclp.UUCP (09/07/84)
Nf-From: hpfclp!paul Sep 17 07:03:00 1984
Haven't ever ridden many miles on sewups, I can't speak for them. I
have ridden quite a few miles on Specialized Touring II's (1") and have
been fairly happy with them. As soon as I get my second flat on a tire,
I generally throw away the tire because my experience has been that once
flats start occurring, the tire has lot a lot of its rubber.
In the case of clinchers, the tube is also very important. I'm fairly
heavy (185) and ride standard tubes. Some of my heavier friends have
tried some of the higher performance lighter tubes, and they seem to get
more flats. Some of my lighter friends (women especially) ride
Ultralight tires and tubes, and have no problems.
I recently bought a new bicycle, and debated whether I wanted tubulars
or clinchers. I decided on clinchers for 1 main reason - easier to
repair on the road (at least for me anyhow!). It seems like a lot of
triathletes and bike racers around here train on clinchers and ride
tubulars when competing.
Paul Beiser
Hewlett-Packard Ft. Collins, Colorado
...{ihnp4,hplabs}!hpfcla!paulrogerh@arizona.UUCP (Roger Hayes) (09/10/84)
I agree that sewups are not just for rich nutcases. I have two sets of wheels, one sewup one clincher, which I ride about equal mileages (~150 a week). I have lots more problems with the clinchers. The sewups are lighter & more fun to ride, give a better (more comfortable) ride, have much better grip, and flat less (no flats in a couple years). I hypothesize that this is because they are better made: the casing is more flexible, giving better ride and grip, while the tread is much harder rubber, giving better wear qualities and glass resistance. This view is a little biased, because the sewups are a well-aged pair of Clement Campionato del Mondo Seta's. The clinchers are Specialized 1 1/8 inch high pressures. Does anyone have an opinion about the folding clinchers? I still ride clinchers because they are better for touring: easier to repair in the boonies. Roger Hayes Tucson, Arizona