Clincher or Tubular? | Ask The Coach

Coach Ani de Leon is a Certified Level 2 Triathlon Coach by the International Triathlon Union and has completed coaching, camp requirements and attended coaching courses such as Endurance Performance Systems Camp in Melbourne, Australia under Tony Benson, Noosa Triathlon Camp in Sunshine Coast, Australia under Nick Croft, High Performance Training Camp in Goldcoast, Australia under Col Stewart, and the Timex Multisport Team Camp, Coach Ani’s other significant highlights include : The first Filipina Ironman World Championships Qualifier and First Female Multisport Coach in the Philippines, Founder/Coach SuperTriKids Triathlon Youth Dev’t Program, Founder/ Coach of First All Womens Running Clinics (Pinay in Action) in the Philippines, Founding Member of First All Womens Cycling Team in the Philippines (Team Davids Salon), and lastly, perhaps the most important of all (for us at least!), she’s our first In[FOCUS] Athlete too!

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Clincher or Tubular Wheels? Daniel Gonzales asks our resident online triathlon expert, Coach Ani de Leon-Brown, one of triathlon’s (and cycling!) greatest debate-inducing questions. Read on for what Coach Ani has to say.

From Daniel :

Coach Ani what can you recommend for my race wheels? Clincher or tubular? Are tubulars really far more superior than clinchers? Also, what’s your opinion about carbon clinchers? I’m thinking of getting those instead so it’s the best of both worlds.

From Coach Ani :

Hi Daniel!

Tubulars have traditionally been known to be at an advantage when it comes to overall speed, but in recent years the technology used in clincher wheels have improved dramatically in terms of aerodynamics, weight, and ride quality. I myself have used both personally in many races, but nowadays if you ask me which one I prefer, I would say clincher hands down. If you had asked me a decade ago for example, I would have said- “tubulars for racing and clinchers for training.” Considering the now minimal difference between the two, and also, reusability and cost of tires, clinchers are way more practical.

As for carbon clinchers, they are great, but better used for racing rather than training if they have a carbon braking surface. The carbon braking surface is lighter but not as durable and safe in wet and downhill conditions. If you are using the wheels for training I recommend using clinchers with an aluminium braking surface as they will last longer and be a safer option in all conditions.

Hope that helps!

Coach Ani

Image Credit : m.dhgate. com/product/white-hed-3-spokes-wheel-carbon-wheels-clincher/201210711.html