I simply step on the tire and pull up, moving around the tire every 6 or 8 inches or so. I do this right before I put it on.
georgeargiris sandiego,ca
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of Jerome & Elizabeth Moos Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 7:18 AM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Stretching New Tubulars
Well, following last week's thread about Tufo tape, I have finally obtained a few Tufo tires and tape to try these out. Unfortunately, I was able to obtain only the lower end tires, mostly the S22, in a tan sidewall. Wish they would make the whole line available in classic colors.
One thing which the Tufos seem to have in common with more typical tubulars is that you have to pre-stretch the tires before installing them. My tentative attempt to install an unstretched Tufo using Tufo rim tape made me conclude that this is just as impractical as installing unstretched tubulars using rim cement.
In 35 years of riding tubulars, I don't think I've every bought a tubular tire that didn't need to be pre-stretched. I did manage to accomplish my first tubular tire changes back in the early 70's without pre-stretching, but only at the cost of getting at least four times as much red Clement rim cement on myself as I did on the tire. I soon learned to pre-stretch new tubulars on an old rim at 130-150 psi for a couple of days before installing on a wheel with glue.
Has anoyone else except me ever asked themselves why they have to make tubulars so damn tight? Is it not possibly to make a tubular ID such that it can be held on a rim by pressure alone well enough to ride home carefully after a change, without making it too tight to install without pre-stretching? Or are there guys with hands so strong they can stretch a new tubular onto a glued rim without making a mess? Of course it helps to get the tire on before you apply any glue (as I learned 35 year ago), but once you do, it's probably better to stretch it for a day before proceeding.
While I love the traditions of cycling, getting these damn tight tubulars stretced onto a rim is one I could live without.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Big Spring, TX