Clincher vs. tubular wheel: How can I tell what I have?

[rwinthenorth]

Like the title implies, How do I know if I have tubular or clincher rims? They are older Mavic Reflex SUP w/ UB control(?). The $64,000.00 question: Can I use Clincher tires on a tubular rim? Or should I just bring them in to my LBS and have him look at them? Thanks.

 

[serenaslu]

Like the title implies, How do I know if I have tubular or clincher rims? They are older Mavic Reflex SUP w/ UB control(?). The $64,000.00 question: Can I use Clincher tires on a tubular rim? Or should I just bring them in to my LBS and have him look at them? Thanks.

See:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html


examples:

Tubular:

Clincher:

 

[vascdoc]

Like the title implies, How do I know if I have tubular or clincher rims? They are older Mavic Reflex SUP w/ UB control(?). The $64,000.00 question: Can I use Clincher tires on a tubular rim? Or should I just bring them in to my LBS and have him look at them? Thanks.

No you can not use clincher tires on a tubular rim. In a pinch you can use a tubular tire on a clincher rim but it is not secure or safe. The 64 k answer is do not mix the two in any fashion.

 

[rwinthenorth]

No you can not use clincher tires on a tubular rim. In a pinch you can use a tubular tire on a clincher rim but it is not secure or safe. The 64 k answer is do not mix the two in any fashion.

Thanks for the quick answers.

 

[Retro Grouch]

Like the title implies, How do I know if I have tubular or clincher rims? They are older Mavic Reflex SUP w/ UB control(?). The $64,000.00 question: Can I use Clincher tires on a tubular rim? Or should I just bring them in to my LBS and have him look at them? Thanks.

If you don't know, you all but certainly have clincher wheels because they are on 99%+ of all bicycles.

Clincher wheels, with the tire removed, have a "U" shaped channel. Tubular wheels have only a slight indentation in the surface the tire is glued onto.