


***before you start all of this take some masking tape and cover all your braking surfaces, at the end of this you will be glad you did and it will make cleanup a breeze.***
Step 1. After stretching the tubular tire (very important), apply one coat of Vittoria’s Mastik One glue (or your preferred brand) to the rim and tire; let set for 24 hours. Thin coats of glue are key to good setup.
Step 2. Apply a second thin layer of glue to the rim and tire. Let dry. Then add tubular tape to the rim, pressing it against the rim to smooth the tape out.
Step 3. Peel the backing off the tape revealing the second adhesive side, and apply a thin layer of glue to this side of the tape and a third layer to the tire before mounting the tire to the rim. Thin layers, thin layers, thin layers, read carefully, thin layers.
Step 4. Inflate the tubular to 80 psi in order to make sure the tire is properly seated on the rim. Then drop the pressure to around 50 or 60 psi to let the glue cure fully not just overnight either. Meticulous time spent here will save rolled tires on the course! For highly detailed instructions go here. I don't like gluing tubulars for this reason; they will eventually roll or the longevity of the glue bond becomes weak. When this happens it's at a most frustrating time for the rider (usually during a "big/important") race. Then the person that glued that tire................. hmmm get my drift?

Check Bikerumor.com for the latest news on the Giant full suspension bike recall..... click on the picture for the story. You can get the latest on the Titus crash/debacle over there also. Tell 'em scooby sent ya!
**************************************************************************
Saturday I hit the local MSG series race in Bristol at Steele Creek Park. I only had time for the collegiate race, it was to be a painful one. It looked more to me like a Lees McRae training ride, 15 of those speed demons in our class. I don't train so these things put a whoopin' on me. I also usually start cold as the salami in your grocers freezer, no warm-up. Sort of like slug/snail drag racing for me. I hold on for about a lap or two then drift off to never never land settling in for a aerobic workout hoping that the leaders that are in the 'A' class catch me so I won't have to endure another lap of pain and defamation of my physical abilities - although it's true - I suck. It's a catch 22; if you wanna get fast you must train.......meh. If you wanna go faster you must spend $$$$$$$ for a trainer or books or a program, nah I'll pass. If I had a goal to beat more than just the local peeps around here, maybe but probably meh. I have seen many cyclists train with a friend of mine (most know this person) over the last 3-4 years and it, for the most part, ends with some animosity. "Usually" (from my vantage point) a rider expects more than they are physically capable of and the trainer gets blamed or the trainer expects more from the athlete and the rider is blamed. It's nuts I tell ya.
That's why we need a CAT6 class for road and a CAT5 for CX. Peeps that just wanna race for fun and don't want to have to train and get all competitive and such. Just pay for your USAC insurance and race, lol. Maybe after three laps everyone regroups and has a beer chugging contest together before the final lap ya know, fun crazy racing! Oh well, I'm just rambling here being hypocritical, outspoken, rude, harsh or whatever. I apologize if this offends anyone. We all have our demons inside that we want to conquer or feel that we have to conquer, I'm just amused at how serious some peeps get in this little speck of the world I call home. I guess some folks 'need' to be admired by their peers....???
LAter G.................................
No comments:
Post a Comment