What is the difference between...

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by tanggoman
... a tubular and a clincher wheels? Thanks

tubular tires have a sewn up casing with an incorporated tube. they need to be glued to the rim.

clinchers are U-shaped and open. the bead of the tire holds to the rim based on tire-pressure.

they are not interchangeable (no tubulars on a clincher rim (tufo excepted) and vice-versa).

for years tubulars were the racers choice being lighter and able to accomodate higher pressures (lower rolling resistence).

clincher technology has improved significantly over the last decade and many pros are racing on clinchers (could be a marketing/sponsorship thing too). still, if you want the lightest wheelset/tire/tube combo, a comparable tubular setup will be lighter than a comparable clincher (eg. ksyrium tubular vs. ksyrium clincher) because of less metal in the rims and no beads on the tires.

As far as I know all teams/riders in the TDF, Giro etc. continue to ride exclusively on tubulars. They have a few advantages other than just weight over clinchers; You can in a pinch continue to ride on a "flat" tubular. Races have been won this way. A sudden loss of pressure or blowout on a clincher front wheel at high speed will almost certainly cause a lock-up with very serious consequences. A tubular under the same circumstances can be safely braked to a stop.