Monocoque v Tubular

[Besty67]

I’ve been out of racing for about 10 years and now looking at buying another bike to get started again. My last outfit was a long tubular and I’ve got to say, it was fairly forgiving as I learned to ride it. Now I’m looking for a new outfit I’d be interested in getting feedback from folk on just how different a tubular and monocoque are to ride? Does the bike take more setting up? Do you have to ride it in a certain way? What are the pitfalls of a monocoque?

Any advice would be welcomed!

[steve-e]

Nowadays they're nowhere near as twitchy and 'wormy' as they used to be, they are more receptive to tweaks but to be honest once they're set up all you really do is make sure you keep the wheels pointing forward.
They're easier to repair after a ding, you just buy the bits that are bent and pop rivet/glue that section in place of the dinked bit, or bolt on the new bits. With tubular if it's dinked you really need to get it on a jig and straightened by someone with all the kit to do it if not the original builder.
Riding wise, you don't put move about so much, you wedge yourself in and steer with your wrists.

But what do I know, I'm just a passenger

[Besty67]

Thanks for the reply Steve, much appreciated.

Unfortunately I'm not loaded and don't have a rich sponsor to buy a new chassis so I'd be looking at an older monocoque. The one I'm considering has been well set-up for the current team but I presume weights of driver and passenger will affect the balance and set-up and I'd need to get some help to show me how to "tweak" the settings and balance for me if I bought it.

With a tubular I know I can pretty much jump on it and ride it (with a few changes to the suspension) and I can do that myself. It's the monocoque "black-art" and having someone patient enough to show me how to make the changes and what the impacts are of different adjustments.....

[steve-e]

Don't overthink it, they're not that complicated. If it is later than about 1990 you'll be ok they're fine, if it's before that it is probably worth more to put a tz or krauser in and sell to a classic collector , they're becoming very collectible with a 2 stroke in again now.

[Alan Richardson]

Unless you're going to set the world alight, and as it's currently being raced, just get on it and ride it. Make sure you've got good tryre and brake pads and above all.....get comfortable. Buy an LCR if you can. After that an RCN, maybe a Windle. Dont mess with the settings until you've ridden it as quick as you went on the tubular. It worked for me. Last bike i had (2005 LCR/Yamaha) i didnt touch a thing. Previous owner had done 50's on the Indy so my 53's and 1m40's on the GP didnt warrant changing things.

[Besty67]

Cheers Al, good advice there, much appreciated

[Alan Richardson]

by the way, i've raced both over the years.

[Besty67]

I know who tomcome to for advice then

[SlowPhil]

Save some money and have more fun on A BEARs!

[Besty67]

You’re pushing the Series hard Phil, fair play to you mate

[webby]

It all really depends on your budget but buy the best you can afford and where you intend to race but once a monocoque is set up it doesn’t need much fiddling with unless your good enough to be looking to find 10ths of seconds! If not just ride it and enjoy

[Besty67]

Cheers Webby, looks like I’m sorted for next season.....now who’s got a truck for sale

[webby]

Great stuff! I’m a nosey guy ! what did you get ? Who’s bike ?

[Besty67]

I’ll tell you next week when I know it’s all lined up I hate to tempt fate...

[Besty67]

Great stuff! I’m a nosey guy ! what did you get ? Who’s bike ?

To appease your curiosity I’m buying the RSR outfit that’s advertised on the site