BrianAllan wrote:Is it really that hard to set-up 3 or 4 pairs of tubulars for a test? No. No it's not.
If you're trying to do this properly - one wheel so you don't introduce bearing and aero differences into test and preferably same session in order to minimise environmental differences - then yes - tubs are hard to test as you can't go from one to another.
Fractions of a watt? Huh? Like Wiggins during the hour record? Is anyone running clinchers in the TdF to your knowledge?
Track is a different beast - tubs take higher pressures so deal with increased CRR from G-force better. Also the surface is so smooth that there isn't the CRR penalty from overinflation. For road racing there is the tradeoff of better control when flatted and lower weight (for tubs) - usually at the expense of lowest CRR.
I think I heard something about Tony Martin running clinchers in a TT stage once, but it's quite uncommon if it happens.
Tony still on clinchers http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/07/ ... hiv_338580
The reasons for using tubs in Road Races or Track don't apply to TT.
Tyre choice is very much about deciding where you want to compromise. For WW - clinchers are a weight penalty that is hard to bear. Most of my clients I recommend GP4000SII because they're safe and most people doing centuries or Ironman would rather err on the side of tougher than fastest.