Conference noted::bicycle

Here are the pro's and con's for clinchers and sewups as I see them:

      Clinchers

Pro:  Cost less.                Con:  While the best clincher tires combined
      Easy to repair flats.           with the best tubes are about the same
                                      weight as good sewups, clincher rims 
                                      are always heavier. 

      Sewups

Pro:  Accelerate better.        Con:  Cost more. 
      Corner bettter.                 Hard to fix flats.
                                      Yuckie glue gets on your hands.
                                      If you flat 30 miles from home and put a
                                      spare on, you have to be careful on your
                                      turns until you get home and put more  
                                      glue on.

The best performance for rolling resistanse is still found with sewups, 
however, this is only true for the high priced sewups which can be pumped 
up to very high pressures ( 140 psi ). The last time I checked, those type
of tires were around $40 a piece.

There are a number of knowledgable people in this notes file which can give
good recommendations. However, it may be better if you give a little more
info about your bike and how you will use the wheels. Will you be doing fast 
trainig rides, touring, easy 10 mile rides after work, USCF racing or the 
Race Across AMerica ?

                                    Keith

    Thanks for the response, Keith. 
    
    More info: I have a '74 Motobecane "Le Champion" which was a pretty
    good bike back then. Where it stands these days, I'm not sure. It
    has 531 double butted tubing with Campy N.R. derailleurs and hubs.
    Because it was sold as a racing bike, it has sew-up wheels.
    I haven't raced since high school and most of my riding would entail
    those 10 mile rides after work and occasional longer week-end rides.
    BTW, I probably couldn't afford those $40 tires that make that
    difference in rolling resistance you mentioned.

    As long as your Campy hubs are in decent shape, very few go
    bad even after years of riding, I would rebuild using those
    hubs.  There has been a lot of discussion in various notes
    about clincher vs tubular so you have to weigh your decisions.
    I feel what influences the type of wheel you build is where
    you intend to do your riding.  Living out in the country, you
    can generally get by with lighter tires, tubular  or clincher
    because you don't have to worry very much about glass. 
    
    The standard spoke is DT.  If you are not a heavy rider, 15
    gauge spokes should be fine.  From what other people in the
    notes file has said, it sound that the favorite rim is made
    by Mavic.  A pair of hardened rims, and spokes you should 
    expect to pay $55 - $60 a pair mailorder.  You could cut that
    down by $20 - $25 for non-hardened rims.  RE: $40 tubulars,
    I just bought Vittoria CX cottons from a mailorder in 
    Colorado for 52.00 a pair.  Top quality clinchers cost
    $15 each plus the tube.
    
    good luck
    
    Steve
    

    
    	Seems that staying with tubs would be lowest initial cost, you'd
    only have to buy 3 and some glue and they don't have to be THE BEST,
    vs new rims and spokes and tires and tubes and tire (plasitic) irons
    and patch kit.  
    
    	If you've ridden tubs before you will probably be disappointed
    if you spend ALL THAT MONEY on what is essentially a down grade.
    If you decide to do it anyway and are anywhere reasonably near to the
    Maynard, Marlborough, Stow, etc area, you can get your hubs laced into
    the new rims for free, though with everyone spouting, "liability
    issue", these days I don't know that I should offer to do this any
    more.

    	Reg
    

    I would go with clinchers for your needs.  They are cheaper, easier
    to fix, give lower rolling resistance, stay pumped up better, etc...
    
    I have the Michelin Bibs.  They look like sewups (so you still look
    cool on the bike) and they ride great.  I have raced on them many
    times, and rode my best time trial on them.
    
    Before everyone starts screaming about me not knowing what I'm talking
    about, I should also say that I have a pair of sewup race wheels.
    They are 280 gram front rim, 330 rear; 32 oval spokes; Pneudan silk
    tires.  They are definitely nicer and I can feel the difference
    in acceleration and riding comfort.  They are obviously more fragile
    though and I use them only for swept courses in nice weather.
    
    I am a big believer in high-quality clinchers for all but important
    races.
    
    Chuck