How to Install Tubular Tires

Despite decades of improvement to the common bicycle clincher tire, high-performance cyclists often choose tubular tires -- often called "sew-ups." A tubular tire's cloth-and-rubber casing completely encloses its inner tube. Installation usually involves gluing tubular tires to the rims of the wheels. Preparation and a little technique can ensure a safer bond between tire and rim, while getting as little glue as possible on the mechanic.

Things You'll Need

  • Tire pump
  • Tire lever
  • Solvent (acetone)
  • Emery paper
  • Glue
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Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • 1

      Inflate the new tubular tire with the tire pump just enough for it to hold its circular shape. Final installation of a new tire is easier after stretching it, so preparation includes mounting the tire on a rim without glue and allowing it to sit until needed for riding.

    • 2

      Insert the valve stem of the tire through the hole in the middle of the rim. The tire will sit in place on the rim near the valve stem, but will hang off the sides a few inches from the stem on either side. Many mechanics place the wheel in a truing stand, but you can simply brace the wheel between yourself and a firm surface like the floor, with the valve stem closest to you.

    • 3

      Grab the tire on either side of the valve stem and pull in opposite directions to stretch the casing as you edge more of the tire onto the rim. Work your way around the entire wheel, getting a new grip for another stretch every few inches.

    • 4

      Slip a plastic tire lever between the tire and the rim and pry the final few inches into place only if you are unable to mount the whole tire by hand.

    • 5

      Set the wheel aside so that the tire can stretch on the rim as long as possible. Spare wheels are ideal for this purpose, as you can have tires stretching while others are on your bicycle for riding. When you are ready for final installation, the unglued tire should roll easily off the rim.

    Installation

    • 6

      Wipe a new rim with solvent to remove oils that can accumulate during manufacture. Also give a new rim a light rubbing with emery paper. If the rim isn't new, it's not necessary to remove the old glue with solvent as long as there is no attached debris.

    • 7

      Squeeze one drop of glue about the size of a pea onto the surface of the rim between each spoke on the wheel. That's about the right amount to cover the entire surface of the rim by spreading each drop from edge to edge with your finger.

    • 8

      Spread glue on the cloth strip that runs along the inner surface of the tubular tire, using a similar amount of glue and the same technique used to coat the rim. Be careful not to spread glue beyond the cloth tape to the sidewalls of the tire.

    • 9

      Set aside the wheel and the tire in an area free from dirt and debris while the glue hardens slightly. When you touch the surface of the rim, the glue is ready when it's tacky but does not spread.

    • 10

      Insert the valve stem through the hole in the rim and slide the tire into place using the same technique you used to mount the tire for stretching during the preparation stage.

    • 11

      Inflate the tire to the manufacturer's recommended pressure.