A mate is lending me some carbon wheels with tubs on for the race season. He seems adamant that running them at high pressures is super awesomes but I'm not sure I trust that analysis. Surely one of the advantages is you can run them soft like tubeless?
It it worth trying them pumped to the max or should I just run my normal pressures? I'm not very heavy and I'll be racing on normal roads.
Roughly 100psi on normal roads is about right. I've gone up to 145 on perfect crit tracks.
UK roads are crap, they roll well at v.high pressure and feel fast but they'll be bouncing off every bit of gravel on the road. I'd leave them at 90-100 depending on weight of rider and size of tub.
Thought as much, ta
The advantages are weight and the ability to ride them with a flat. The disadvantage is that they roll off and you will crash if poorly installed (and take out a few riders, like myself), and unless there is a spare wheel arriving when you put up your hand, you will need to carry a spare.
I prefer "Open tubulars" and latex inner tubes.
They can 'skitter' at high pressures if you start to sprint aggressively.
I agree about open tubs and latex tubes - pretty much all of the advantages of tubs with no real disadvantages. I'm really liking the new Vittoria Corsa G+ open tubs, got 3 months out of my first pair
my last experience of puncturing a latex tube was sensing it going flat, riding carefully (leaning forward) for about 3 miles and finding 10psi still in the tube when I got to work
Stiff wheels and high pressures = difficulty keeping the rubber on the road when giving it beans. I run my race wheels at 90f and 100r for grip rather than skipping down the road.
Veloflex Open Corsas with latex inners - run them at 95..... bliss! Get a pair from Ribble for £52.
His wheels. I would do as he says in case you damage them doing something unfortunate such as chipping a rim hitting a drain cover.
Seems wrong for you question his request in one way although fair enough to ask about what works best.
Me, I'd run them low, say 100psi. Depends on the tub of course and the conditions,