Carbon tubbies vs decent clinchers?

[Roy Davis]

Hi guys,

 

Advise please.

 

I recently bought my wife a secondhand road bike, that fit our budget.  The bike was fitted with an old set of carbon Bontrager wheels with gatorskin tubbies on.  A cycle shop in Stellenbosch gave them a decent service, replaced two bearings, and noted that they're 100% apart from that.  The tubbies are at the end of their life.  Off course I took the wheels and put them on my road bike.

 

Not knowing tubbies for road (I'm more of a mountain biker, recently venturing into triathlons) I'm a bit sceptical to use them, seeing as you cannot quickly fix a tire, should the need arise.  Also, I don't want to permanently cycle around with a spare tubby at R1000 a pop in my rear pocket.

 

I see my options as the following:

 

1.  Sell/trade the wheels for a decent set of clinchers.

2.  Replace the tubbies (R2000) and get continue riding with them.

3.  Replace the tubbies, get a cheap set of exercise wheels, and keep the tubbies as race wheels.

 

Option 3 looks like a bit of a schlep, as I'll have to replace brake pads for races as well.  Will also be the priciest option.

 

So, which option would you say is best?  And if I go for option 1, do you have any idea of what they'll be worth?

 

Bad image of the wheels, I know.

 

All your concerns are valid but don't be put off by needing to fit a new tubby. I had no experience of doing so but used contact adhesive and they never came off the rims.

 

[TNT1]

Hi guys,

 

Advise please.

 

I recently bought my wife a secondhand road bike, that fit our budget.  The bike was fitted with an old set of carbon Bontrager wheels with gatorskin tubbies on.  A cycle shop in Stellenbosch gave them a decent service, replaced two bearings, and noted that they're 100% apart from that.  The tubbies are at the end of their life.  Off course I took the wheels and put them on my road bike.

 

Not knowing tubbies for road (I'm more of a mountain biker, recently venturing into triathlons) I'm a bit sceptical to use them, seeing as you cannot quickly fix a tire, should the need arise.  Also, I don't want to permanently cycle around with a spare tubby at R1000 a pop in my rear pocket.

 

I see my options as the following:

 

1.  Sell/trade the wheels for a decent set of clinchers.

2.  Replace the tubbies (R2000) and get continue riding with them.

3.  Replace the tubbies, get a cheap set of exercise wheels, and keep the tubbies as race wheels.

 

Option 3 looks like a bit of a schlep, as I'll have to replace brake pads for races as well.  Will also be the priciest option.

 

So, which option would you say is best?  And if I go for option 1, do you have any idea of what they'll be worth?

 

Bad image of the wheels, I know.

 

No offence intended, but I would have assumed the wheels alone was why you bought the bike. Why on earth would you get rid of them, if they are as you say 100%? 

[Chris_]

umm, I hope he's worked it out after 3 years ...

[Thomo]

umm, I hope he's worked it out after 3 years ...

Was also just checking if I've missed something, or why this thread is repeatedly resurrected ...

[DieselnDust]

Yip but maybe worth revisiting the spooking that the industry promotoes around its products to push new sales.

I mailed Corima a few years ago when I was in the market for new wheels. They had no reservations around the structural integrity of their rims.

Also when I review the forum posts around the world on clincher blow outs its almost always a stupid expensive German brand, or Chinese made rims. This tells me that some of these manufacturers are chasing weight savings down to the gram and are neglecting the safety. If the rim wall thickness is too low then yes the structure is going to be compromised.

If the rim as a stepped braking surface ten yes there is going to be a stress riser there which will create a point of failure. Avoid those products. Now they want to sell you a more aero rim with a huge fan on the hub......