hi jon,
i recently sent ten tubulars out for repair. i should have most of them back next week, so i'll be able to report how good a job the guy does. his name is ron, seems to be a nice guy and you can reach him at http://www.tirealert.com. i got this lead from a couple of people on the list a long time ago, and finally got around to trying him.
i tried repairing tubulars a couple of times - that was enough for a lifetime. this guy opens them up completely, replaces the inner tube, and then re-stitches them with an industrial sewing machine. at $16 each for two or more tires (including return shipping), it aint cheap but it is worth it for nice/expensive tubulars with otherwise plenty of life in them.
he's even repaired some real oldies where the sidewalls where completely shot, and the inner tube would pop out of the side with even minimal air pressure, by reinforcing the casing from the inside. these will only be for show, but at least they'll hold enough air to not look flat in a photo. i'm really anxious to see how those came out.
regards,
ray dobbins miami florida
Otis <otis@otisrecords.com> wrote: "I do not agree with the get what you pay for with respect to the longivity of tubular tires. My personal experience is that I have paid for good tires the flatted on my first ride and I have paid for cheap tires that I have ridden time and time again without a flat. Ride performance aside, I see no corolation between price and longevity. In fact I might go the other way. The more expensive and finer tires are more delicate on urban streets. Plus I don't feel bad when a cheepie punctures but I feel like hell when an expensive tubular hisses it way to the ground on my first ride.
Ray Homiski Elizabeth, NJ"
After reading a few post like this over the last couple of days I have to ask. Doesn't anybody repair their tubulars? What's the deal, punctures happen. Are you guys throwing away new tires because they flat on the first ride?
Jon Williams
Grants Pass OR