Tubular Tyre Fitting during a Triathlon Race

Brian Farrell from Dublin in Ireland is a tri-athlete and the wheels he is riding are fitted with tubular tyres. He needs to know how to change a tubular during a race, this is not the best place to perform such a repair, but here are our suggestions:

Question:
Hello,

Can you please explain how to remove a punctured tubular tyre and fit a new one correctly?

I need to know how to do this at speed too as it is in the context of a half ironman triathlon race next summer in case I puncture. Unlike some bike races there is no backup support in triathlons so all repairs need to be done by myself. And as I don’t want to lose much time I’ll need to know how to do it quickly and what tools I’ll need to carry on the bike.

Many Thanks,
Brian.

Hi Brian.

As you have probably realised wheels with tubular tyres do ride like a dream, although expensive high pressure tyres do feel nearly as good. The problem with any puncture, especially in a race situation without service, is that repairing it takes time and winning the race will be only a dream!

The added problem with tubular tyres is that they need to be glued on, which during a race you don’t have time to do. If there is no glue to hold the tyre onto the rim and tyre then it could come off causing you to crash. To overcome this you should use a tyre that has been glued to a rim previously and has some residue of glue left on it, this will hold the tyre on, it won’t be as secure as a well glue tubular but it should allow you to finish the race.

You shouldn’t need any tools to remove and replace a tubular tyre; you should be able to do it with your hands only. If you are tired then it can get very difficult to remove a well glued tyre, you can use a lever, but this could damage the rim, a blunt screw driver or similar will help but I would never advise this because of the potential damage, better if you can find a plastic tyre lever. If you can put the tool under the base tape of the tyre at the valve then run it round taking the tyre off as you go round, this is probably the quickest removal method, but be careful of damage to the rim. Or you can try to break the seal of the glue opposite the valve and then push the tyre of the rim in both directions till you get to the valve.

When replacing a tubular tyre always place the valve in the hole in the rim, then stretch tyre down till there is only the last bit of tubular to push onto the rim with your thumbs. Make sure the tyre is central on the rim by looking at the tread to make sure it’s in the middle. Or look at the base tape to see that it is evenly centred all round the wheel.

With a replacement tubular you must remember to ride carefully especially on corners as the tyre is not as secure as it should be, it’s only a get you home repair and cannot be relied upon.

We hope this helps, if you want more advice drop us another e-mail.