Gluing Tubulars: One More Thing I’ve Learned to Do Myself

(leggi in italiano -> qui)

There are many things about cycling that I’ve learned simply because, at some point, I had to.
Not because I was a mechanic. Not because someone formally taught me. Just because being a cyclist means that, sooner or later, you end up wanting — or needing — to understand what is happening to your bike.

Tubular tires are one of those things.

Last year, when I got my new FFWD track wheels, I decided to film the process of gluing the tubulars onto them. I had already done it before, but I thought it could be useful to show how I personally do it.
And then, as often happens, the footage stayed on my computer for… a very long time. 😂
Now, almost a year later, I finally decided to edit it and put it online.

Not a professional mechanic

Before anyone takes this video as a step-by-step guide and starts gluing their race wheels following my instructions, there is one thing I want to make very clear:

I am not a professional mechanic.

This is simply the way I do it, based on what I’ve learned over the years and the experience I’ve gained working on my own bikes.
There are probably things I could do differently. There are probably mechanics who would look at this video and immediately notice something I could improve.
And that’s exactly why I decided to publish it anyway.
I think there is something useful in showing the process as it actually happens, rather than pretending to know everything.

So if you work as a mechanic, race with tubulars, or simply have more experience than I do, I’m genuinely happy to hear your advice.

The little things that become part of being an athlete

As a professional cyclist, my job is obviously to train and race.
But there is also a whole part of cycling that happens away from the start line.
Learning how your equipment works. Knowing what you are riding. Being able to solve small problems yourself. Understanding what you are asking from your bike and what you need from it.

Over the years, I’ve become much more comfortable doing things that I probably would have left to someone else when I started cycling.
Gluing a tubular might seem like a very small thing.
But it’s one more little piece of knowledge that I’ve picked up along the way.

And, apparently, having long nails helps too. 💅

If you want to see the whole process, the video is now on my YouTube channel.
And if you have a better way of doing it, tell me. I’m always happy to learn something new.