EXPERT ADVICE

Our man Guy Kesteven on whether you should go tubeless, tubular or clincher

The debate between clincher and tubular

has been going on for years and throwing tubeless tyres into the rubber ring has caused more comparison, consternation and confusion. The shock for traditionalists is that, in lab tests, tubulars are often slower than equivalent clinchers and tubeless tyres at similar pressures.

Meanwhile, quality clinchers using light,

supple inner tubes intermingle with the best tubeless tyres for the fastest rolling depending on the protocol/drum/road method used. But what’s obvious is that construction, volume, tread compound and operating pressure of the tyre make more difference than the basic tyre type.

Clincher tyres (with separate inner tube)

are simple to use, but they’re vulnerable to punctures and are generally heavier. Tubeless tyres (airtight tyres with liquid sealant) need specific sealed rims and are a faff to fit. They offer better ride quality and can self-heal punctures, making them great for rougher surfaces. Tubular tyres (sealed tube tyres with an integral inner tube) use specific rims without sidewalls, which are lighter than clincher rims, have a superb ride feel and excellent puncture resistance. Yet they’re awkward to glue onto the rim and you’ll need to carry a spare tyre and not just an inner tube.