Tubular tyres for road, cyclo-cross and track
Tubular tyres are closed tyres, sewn around their inner tube, that are glued or taped onto a tubular rim. Light and supple, a tubular stays on the rim after a puncture, which explains its place among racers, on the track and in cyclo-cross. Choose its width, from 22 to 33 mm, and its casing according to how you ride; repair thread and rubber solution are also on this page.
What is a tubular and why ride tubulars?
A tubular combines tyre and inner tube in a single piece: the casing wraps around the tube and is closed by stitching under the belly of the tubular, then a base tape protects this stitching and takes the glue. It fits a tubular rim, with a concave profile and no hooks. The whole set-up is light and supple, and a punctured tubular stays glued to the rim, which lets you stop without falling. On the other hand, fitting takes time and repairing takes patience.
Road, track or cyclo-cross: which tubular should you choose?
- Road racing: a narrow tubular, 22 to 25 mm, with a supple casing and a smooth tread.
- Training: a tougher casing, less prone to punctures and wear.
- Track and time trial: light tubulars, designed for the velodrome or racing against the clock.
- Cyclo-cross: 33 mm knobbly tubulars, more or less aggressive depending on whether the ground is dry or muddy.
The thread count, expressed in TPI, threads per inch, tells you about the casing: the higher it is, the finer the threads and the more supple the tubular.
Gluing a tubular onto the rim
Before gluing for the first time, stretch the tubular on a rim to make it more supple. Then apply thin coats of glue to the rim and to the base tape, respecting the drying times in the instructions, fit the tubular starting at the valve, then centre it by spinning the wheel. Double-sided tubular tape, cleaner and quicker, is the other solution. On a carbon rim, check that the glue is suitable for it.
Puncture: how do you repair a tubular?
On the road, the safest solution remains a spare tubular folded under the saddle, already coated with dry glue. Sealant injected through a valve with a removable core also seals small holes. At home, peel back the base tape near the hole, unpick a few centimetres of stitching, repair the inner tube with a patch and rubber solution, then sew it back up with tubular thread.
Wheels, tyres and inflation
A tubular requires road bike wheels with tubular rims. For a hooked or tubeless rim, see road bike tyres and inner tubes. Inflation and sealant are in pumps and repair.
Road tubular tyre brands
Velox, whose workshops are in La Guerche-de-Bretagne, in Ille-et-Vilaine in France, supplies the repair tools: Jantex tubular thread for sewing back up and rubber solution for the patch.
Vittoria, an Italian tyre maker, covers every use: Corsa Pro for racing, Pista Speed for the velodrome, Rally for training, and even a road tubular for children.
Tufo, a Czech brand founded by Miloslav Klabal, builds its tubulars as a closed tube, from the Hi-Composite for the road to the Flexus 33 for cyclo-cross.
Continental, a German tyre maker, offers the Competition for racing, the Sprinter Gatorskin for training and long rides, and the Podium TT for time trials.
Challenge assembles its tubulars by hand: Criterium RS on the road, Limus and Baby Limus in cyclo-cross, up to a Seta Extra version stated at more than 1,000 TPI.
Michelin, a French tyre maker, reserves for cyclo-cross its 33 mm Power Jet and Power Mud Racing Line, the latter for heavy, muddy ground.
Tubular tyres on sale
When a range is updated, its tubulars move to road wheels and tyres clearance; recent products are listed in new arrivals. Before winter and its cyclo-cross races, Black Friday helps you stock up.
Frequently asked questions
Tubular or tubeless tyres on the road?
Tubeless is easier to repair and fits without glue; the tubular remains lighter and does not come off the rim after a puncture. Each solution has its own rim.
Can you fit a tubular on a clincher rim?
No, a classic tubular is glued onto a tubular rim, with a concave profile. A few manufacturers offer specific tubulars for clincher rims: check the model's description.
How long should you leave the glue to dry?
Follow the glue's instructions: each coat must dry before the next, and the tubular must not be ridden before it has dried completely, often overnight.
Which valve length should you choose?
The valve should stick out clearly from the rim to take the pump head. On wheels with deep rims, take a long valve or an extender.
Should you carry a spare tubular?
Yes, for long rides: a folded tubular, already coated with glue, can be fitted at the roadside. Then ride carefully in corners.
