Why Buy a Clincher Wheelset?
Why buy a clincher wheelset instead of a Tubular wheelset
The hot trend in todays marketplace is the mass production of true racing wheelsets designed to accept clincher wheels. Tubular wheels are a bit lighter and more race oriented, so why anyone might want to buy a clincher wheelset is a fair question.
First and most obvious is the fact that clincher wheels are a great deal cheaper and easier to repair than their tubular counterparts. Easier in the sense that a flat clincher tire requires only removal of the wheel and replacement of the internal tube, whereas repairing or replacing a tubular requires removing the incredibly strong glue that bonds the tire to the rim.
Tubular tires are more difficult to repair for a number of reasons, prime amongst them being that most people either do not have the tools or experience to properly replace one, necessitating a trip to the local bike shop for repairs. Without a handy spare rim around, a tubular tire could easily leave one stuck with no ride home. Given the high cost of todays top-end racing rims, it comes as no surprise that most people don't want to risk damaging their expensive carbon fiber rims by improperly removing the tire, and the additional outlay for a spare can increase the overall cost of riding by more than 30%.
Which brings us to the main reason for buying a clincher wheelset: convenience. Imagine the logistical nightmare of trying to carry a spare for every rider on a large outing, where any one of a hundred riders could require a new tire at any time. Compounding this chaos is the fact that many top-end racing wheelsets have different wheels for the front and the back, meaning that every rider must have a set of spares instead of a single.
In lieu of a spare tire, one could try to repair a tubular wheel on the spot, but imagine the scene of a racer on the side of the road after flat, trying desperately to create an airtight seal with a needle and thread. Chemical glue patches to work, but may not be feasible if the rip is too close to the rim. Even if it does, the glue used for those patches can take hours to dry.
So, for the cost, convenience and ease of use that clinchers bring to the table, the only question is: does it benefit a man to gain three seconds on a 100 mile race, only to lose three hours repairing a tire? That's why you buy a clincher wheelset.
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