How to Glue on a Tubular Bicycle Tire

How to glue on a new tubular tire. 


1st.  Get a good tubular tire glue such as shown left.


2nd.  Get a good tubular.  I prefer Vittoria tires. Also add a valve extension (pictured below) for deep rims such as the Zipp 404.

The instructions for the glue pictured above are on the left. They are photographed right off the box of the Vittoria glue. 


A slight variation that I was taught, and have used successfully for years,  is putting the glue on the tire's rim tape and letting the glue dry to the touch.  First,  slightly  inflate the tire so that the tire will rotate itself, rim tape out so that it is easier to glue.


Another trick that I use is to prestretch the tire by dry fitting (without glue) and airing up the tire on an unglued rim.  This prestretching will make it easier to fit on the tire later.

Put the glue on the rim quickly and neatly.  You can use a small brush.  I used my finger on this one.


Notice that the picture above shows an arrow on the tire which indicates the correct tread direction for the tire.  This is important for the rear wheel.

Don't worry if you get a little bit of glue on the tire and rim when you are pulling on the tire.  It will clean off easily with Mineral Spirits.

The above image is an "after" picture of a cleaned tire and rim, from using Mineral Spirits and a cloth rag.


That's all there is to it.  Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours before racing.

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