tubular wheels

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by kodoz
i'm buying race wheels and thinking i might save some grams by going with tubular tires. i'm more interested in the practical aspects of racing with tubulars:
- can a flat be repaired?
- can a flat be repaired/changed reasonably in a race, or is a flat = DNF?
- in addition to a spare, do you need to carry tire tools and glue? anything else?
- any other advice?
i'm thinking a HED Alp or Corima Aero UL on the front and a HED3, Corima 4, Nimble crosswind, or X-lab 3- or 4-spoke on the rear. i only do TTs and triathlons.

Yes a flat can be repaired but I've only tried once and it wasn't succesful. It's not an easy procedure. Thought there used to be someone who repaired them for a small fee. Before my time, a rider would keep an old tire wrapped in the pages of L'Equipe or Velonews tied to the underside of his saddle with an old toe strap.

You best bet is to keep the clinchers and use those to train on. Then switch to the tubulars for races.

John