So you want to ride clinchers on the track, right? No problem; it can be done and on an outdoor track like Herne Hill is probably no bad idea, for training at least. That’s because the Hill’s white concrete surface, while miles better than the undulating Tarmac that preceded it, is pretty bumpy and best served by tyre inflation pressures closer to 100psi than to 200.
Clincher rims aren’t designed to take much more than 150 psi; even if the tyre stays on, the sideways pressure at really high inflation pressure on the hook section may break it away from the rest of the rim. Fine at the Hill, but not enough for an indoor timber velodrome, where the billiard table-smooth srface invites pressures of 200psi or more – if the tyre will hold it.
There is a solution to the conundrum faced by the owner of a clincher track wheelset in the shape of Tufo’s S3 Pro Tubular Clincher. The tub clincher concept is well-proven, having been around for a couple of decades. Basically it comprises a tubular tyre with a moulded base that attaches firmly to a clincher rim of specified width.
A groove along each side of the base strip engages with the hook on that side of the rim as the tyre is inflated. installation is very quick – potentially faster than a standard clincher – once the technique has been mastered, but more importantly the tyre will take 220psi without overstressing the rim sidewalls.
Leaving aside the base, the tyre itself is of equivalent construction to Tufo’s S3 Pro Tubular, which is designed for track use and weighs 195g. The tub clincher is rated as 195g tubular equivalent, meaning that although it weighs more as a whole, that’s the weight it would be as a plain old tubular.
A cross-section of 21mm and grippy rubber compound make it well suited to indoor use as well as for time trialling in fine conditions.
SRP £32
