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Gluing Tubular (Cyclocross Style)
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Cyclocross Style (or Belgian Style) is a special practice that we've developed from researching and testing over the past few years of racing elite level 'cross. Below we've outlined how we do this process. If it sounds too intense, have us do the dirty work for you. And if you have questions, please post them on our Facebook Page post here.
What you need:
Your favorite Cyclocross Tire. We love the Challenge Grifos.
Vittoria Mastik One
Double Side tape from Cyclocrossworld.com
A brush to apply the glue.
2 days
Patience.
An apron, unless you have clothes you don't care about.
Prep Work:
Without applying glue to the wheel or to the tire, mount the tire on the wheel. Inflate to 40-50psi, depending on what the max pressure is.
Let this sit overnight, if possible.
*Trick* Lightly spray the cotton of the tire with some water before mounting. This will help stretch the cotton.
Tire Glue Work:
Remove the inflated tubular.
Keep 20psi in the tire.
Apply 1 coat of Vittoria Mastik One. Let sit for a few hours, if not overnight.
*While this is drying*
Wheel Glue Work:
Apply one coat to the wheel. Let sit for a few hours.
Apply another coat. Let sit for a few minutes.
Apply the double sided tape that you can purchase at Cyclocrossworld.com to the wheel, over the glue that is now tacky.
Last Tire Prep-Final Steps:
Apply another coat of glue to the tire. Make sure to lightly cover the entire cotton surface.
Wait 10 minutes.
Mounting:
With your double sided tape on the wheel and your tire with tacky glue, this is the best time to mount.
*You will have about 1 minute to adjust the position of the tire once it is mounted*
With 20psi in the tire, insert the valve stem through the valve hole in the wheel.
Push VERY hard with both hands on either side of the valve area.
Stretch the tire as much as possible, waking your hands down along the surface of the wheel, holding the tire.
When you get to the bottom of the wheel, you should be able to hump the remaining tire onto the wheel.
*To properly do this, I've found that you can seat the section of the wheel that has the valve stem into your stomach/hip area. Firmly holding the wheel with your body allows you to use your hands to grab the remaining tire and lift and push it on top of the double sided tape.*
Last steps:
Adjust the tire so that the cotton shows evenly on both sides along the braking surface.
Inflate the tire to the max pressure and let sit over night.
This is now how we mount all of our cyclocross wheels so you can run lower pressures without worrying about rolling the tire.
Questions or Comments? Post them on our Facebook Page discussion about this technique here.