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Main
Date: 03 Feb 2006 12:22:41
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
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Hi, All:
Thanks for turning me onto this latest must-have item! =) So that
Schwalbe athon Plus sounds like the thing to get to avoid
punctures...but how heavy is "heavy," really?
And what about airless tires? What are they, how do they work?
TIA!!
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Date: 09 Feb 2006 17:49:30
From: GaerlanCustomCycles
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
I personally ride the athon 20x1.5's. Knock on wood, have not had
a flat in at least 3 years.
I think the secret is the more pronounced thread pattern compared to
other tires. When you hit a glass bit, it goes in betwen the grooves
and is spit out as the wheel turns. I think tire technology has
imnproved in thelast few years OR maybe just getting lucky
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Date: 10 Feb 2006 09:31:58
From: Peter Clinch
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
GaerlanCustomCycles wrote:
> I personally ride the athon 20x1.5's. Knock on wood, have not had
> a flat in at least 3 years.
I ride them too (on an SMGT and a Brompton). My other half rides them
on a Nazca Fiero Tour, having found the security better for her than the
speed of Stelvios.
So far I've had two punctures over, oh, about 5 years. One on the Brom,
one on the Streetmachine. Covering a lot of miles, and broken glass.
They're good tyres, I'd only change to the Plus if I was in an area of
Total Puncture Hell.
Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
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Date: 09 Feb 2006 13:47:04
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
Hiya, folks -- how about the standard Schwalbe athon? They come
with the SMGTe.
angusinalberta wrote:
> GaerlanCustomCycles wrote:
>
> > On our last trip from Germany to Vienna, some rented bikes in Germany
> > to be dropped off in Vienna. The bikes were equipped with athon
> > Plus. MEchanic says that they have never had flats on those tires -
> > granted the roads were clean.
>
> Here's another vote for the Schwalbe athon Plus.
>
> Datapoint 1. Over the last 25 years I normally expected 5-6 punctures
> each riding season, mainly from bits of wire or glass. That's about 1
> puncture per 1000 km. Last year with the Pluses, I had zero punctures in
> 5500 km.
> Datapoint 2. Last summer a friend had zero punctures using Pluses on his
> 4500 km tour across Canada. (http://tinyurl.com/dvyag)
>
> For me, the miniscule increase in rolling resistance has been well worth it.
>
> Cheers,
> Angus
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Date: 09 Feb 2006 09:21:45
From: GaerlanCustomCycles
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
The athon plus has better rolling resistance rather than using a
tire of same width then adding MrTuffy. The protection is like a foam
sandwhiched bet rubber layers.
On our last trip from Germany to Vienna, some rented bikes in Germany
to be dropped off in Vienna. The bikes were equipped with athon
Plus. MEchanic says that they have never had flats on those tires -
granted the roads were clean.
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Date: 09 Feb 2006 21:22:06
From: angusinalberta
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
GaerlanCustomCycles wrote:
> On our last trip from Germany to Vienna, some rented bikes in Germany
> to be dropped off in Vienna. The bikes were equipped with athon
> Plus. MEchanic says that they have never had flats on those tires -
> granted the roads were clean.
Here's another vote for the Schwalbe athon Plus.
Datapoint 1. Over the last 25 years I normally expected 5-6 punctures
each riding season, mainly from bits of wire or glass. That's about 1
puncture per 1000 km. Last year with the Pluses, I had zero punctures in
5500 km.
Datapoint 2. Last summer a friend had zero punctures using Pluses on his
4500 km tour across Canada. (http://tinyurl.com/dvyag)
For me, the miniscule increase in rolling resistance has been well worth it.
Cheers,
Angus
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Date: 07 Feb 2006 06:48:03
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
And I top-post, too!
C'mon, let's have a riot and burn some New York State flags!
Nanc wrote:
>
>
> Please don't lump all of us from ARBR together. I blocked NYC XYZ long ago
> due to his excessive cross-posting. It really is quite irritating. He only
> recently started posting to ARBR... I figured he was a regular from one of
> the other groups and had just recently starting adding ARBR to his
> cross-posting list.
>
> This will be my last post to multiple groups. I apologize for replying to
> all... just didn't know from which group Paul Hobson is a regular.
>
> ~ Nanc
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Date: 06 Feb 2006 13:44:25
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
Yeah, and you ALWAYS wait for a green light before you cross the
street?
Paul Hobson wrote:
>
>
> From the FAQ:
>
> [quote]
>
> The rec.bicycles subgroups are described below - please try to post your
> article to the appropriate group. The newsgroups were designed to
> minimize cross posting, so please take the time to think about the most
> appropriate newsgroup and post your article there...
>
> rec.bicycles.ketplace: Bicycles, components, ancillary equipment and
> services wanted or for sale, reviews of such things, places to buy them,
> and evaluations of these sources. Not for discussion of general
> engineering, maintenance, or repair -- see rec.bicycles.tech.
>
> rec.bicycles.tech: Techniques of engineering, construction, maintenance
> and repair of bicycles and ancillary equipment. Not for products or
> services offered or wanted -- see rec.bicycles.ketplace.
>
> rec.bicycles.misc: General riding techniques, rider physiology,
> injuries and treatment, diets, and other cycling topics.
> Not for products or services offered or wanted -- see
> rec.bicycles.ketplace.
>
> [unquote]
>
> Some of you weirdos from ARBR are least tolerable. But your x-posting
> is just silly.
>
> --
> Paul M. Hobson
> Georgia Institute of Technology
> .:change the f to ph to reply:.
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Date: 06 Feb 2006 08:32:10
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
Paul Hobson wrote:
> NYC XYZ wrote:
> > Hi, All:
> >
> > Thanks for turning me onto this latest must-have item! =) So that
> > Schwalbe athon Plus sounds like the thing to get to avoid
> > punctures...but how heavy is "heavy," really?
> >
> > And what about airless tires? What are they, how do they work?
> >
> >
> > TIA!!
> >
>
> Why is this x-posted to rec.bicycles.misc *and* rec.bicycles.tech *and*
> rec.bicycles.ketplace??
>
> Only one seems necessary.
>
> \\paul
I figured a wider net catches more fish!
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Date: 06 Feb 2006 15:41:41
From: Paul Hobson
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
> Paul Hobson wrote:
>>Why is this x-posted to rec.bicycles.misc *and* rec.bicycles.tech *and*
>>rec.bicycles.ketplace??
>>
>>Only one seems necessary.
> I figured a wider net catches more fish!
>
From the FAQ:
[quote]
The rec.bicycles subgroups are described below - please try to post your
article to the appropriate group. The newsgroups were designed to
minimize cross posting, so please take the time to think about the most
appropriate newsgroup and post your article there...
rec.bicycles.ketplace: Bicycles, components, ancillary equipment and
services wanted or for sale, reviews of such things, places to buy them,
and evaluations of these sources. Not for discussion of general
engineering, maintenance, or repair -- see rec.bicycles.tech.
rec.bicycles.tech: Techniques of engineering, construction, maintenance
and repair of bicycles and ancillary equipment. Not for products or
services offered or wanted -- see rec.bicycles.ketplace.
rec.bicycles.misc: General riding techniques, rider physiology,
injuries and treatment, diets, and other cycling topics.
Not for products or services offered or wanted -- see
rec.bicycles.ketplace.
[unquote]
Some of you weirdos from ARBR are least tolerable. But your x-posting
is just silly.
--
Paul M. Hobson
Georgia Institute of Technology
.:change the f to ph to reply:.
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Date: 06 Feb 2006 18:42:44
From: Nanc
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
> Some of you weirdos from ARBR are least tolerable. But your x-posting is
> just silly.
Please don't lump all of us from ARBR together. I blocked NYC XYZ long ago
due to his excessive cross-posting. It really is quite irritating. He only
recently started posting to ARBR... I figured he was a regular from one of
the other groups and had just recently starting adding ARBR to his
cross-posting list.
This will be my last post to multiple groups. I apologize for replying to
all... just didn't know from which group Paul Hobson is a regular.
~ Nanc
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Date: 07 Feb 2006 10:56:58
From: Paul Hobson
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
Nanc wrote:
>>Some of you weirdos from ARBR are least tolerable. But your x-posting is
>>just silly.
>
>
> Please don't lump all of us from ARBR together. I blocked NYC XYZ long ago
> due to his excessive cross-posting. It really is quite irritating. He only
> recently started posting to ARBR... I figured he was a regular from one of
> the other groups and had just recently starting adding ARBR to his
> cross-posting list.
>
> This will be my last post to multiple groups. I apologize for replying to
> all... just didn't know from which group Paul Hobson is a regular.
>
> ~ Nanc
my apologies, nanc
\\paul
(this is my last xpost too)
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| | | | | |
Date: 07 Feb 2006 15:25:03
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
"Paul Hobson" <fobson@gatech.edu > wrote in message
news:dsag0c$7h1$1@news-int.gatech.edu...
> Nanc wrote:
>>>Some of you weirdos from ARBR are least tolerable. But your x-posting is
>>>just silly.
>>
>>
>> Please don't lump all of us from ARBR together. I blocked NYC XYZ long
>> ago due to his excessive cross-posting. It really is quite irritating.
>> He only recently started posting to ARBR... I figured he was a regular
>> from one of the other groups and had just recently starting adding ARBR
>> to his cross-posting list.
>>
>> This will be my last post to multiple groups. I apologize for replying
>> to all... just didn't know from which group Paul Hobson is a regular.
>>
>> ~ Nanc
>
> my apologies, nanc
> \\paul
> (this is my last xpost too)
Newsgroups trimmed.
Both Paul and Nanc are right as rain of course. Cross-posting to many groups
is an abomination. I have always been vehemently opposed to it.
I will occasionally drag certain threads over to ARBR to keep it from
terminally expiring due to a lack of posters there, but I only do it very
reluctantly. I have decided not to do it anymore no matter what. It does
nothing but create a mess. ARBR can either make it on its own or it can die
and go to Hell where all newsgroups go eventually.
By the way, the reason cross-posting NEVER works is because ALL newsgroups
are just chock full of idiots, morons and imbeciles. Eliminate those types
and who knows what might be possible.
Regards,
Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota
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Date: 06 Feb 2006 07:47:55
From: Paul Hobson
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
> Hi, All:
>
> Thanks for turning me onto this latest must-have item! =) So that
> Schwalbe athon Plus sounds like the thing to get to avoid
> punctures...but how heavy is "heavy," really?
>
> And what about airless tires? What are they, how do they work?
>
>
> TIA!!
>
Why is this x-posted to rec.bicycles.misc *and* rec.bicycles.tech *and*
rec.bicycles.ketplace??
Only one seems necessary.
\\paul
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Date: 05 Feb 2006 15:17:27
From:
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
Most of the opinions you will receive about airless tires are from
people who have never tried them and are just repeating what they've
heard from a disgruntled consumer who probably wasn't st enough to
buy the correct size tire for their rim.
The main problem with them is that they only fit well on a few rims
and, since you can't air them up to fit, you don't get the kind of
performance that they are capable of giving.
They are much heavier and don't roll _quite_ as well as a pneumatic
tire but, if you use them for what they are best for, they are, to my
mind, SUPER and I have always had one bike with airless tires for about
8 years now.
There are times when I _need_ to get somewhere, times when it is cold,
raining, dark, I'm going to be carrying groceries, etc., etc. and I
just don't want to chance getting a flat.
However, most of the time I ride a fixie with pneumatic tires.
Lewis.
**********
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Date: 05 Feb 2006 07:29:41
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
Peter Clinch wrote:
>
>
> Too heavy for racing if you're serious about it, but not too heavy
> otherwise, especially on a bike like a Streetmachine which isn't
> exactly light to start with.
Actually, I almost threw one up to the ceiling the first time I lifted
it! With all the talk about "heavy" I forgot that 33-lbs. is almost
less than half what I curl at the gym!
I mean, even a tire weighing 300g means like a pound for two of them on
a bike...that's like carring a loaf of bread in the pannier! Not even,
since that pound is "stretched out"....
Of course I have a need for speed -- though I won't be "racing" -- but
I don't see how things can be adversely affected by a couple of hundred
of extra grams.
> I use standard athons on mine and have managed one puncture in
> several years (a glass sliver). Also use athons on the Brompton
> folder, add another puncture over several years on those. Unless
> you're in a particulat puncture black spot) lanes covered in
> trimmings from Hawthorn hedges are often cited in the UK) standard
> athons (standard issue on the SMGT) should be fine.
Thanks! That's a relief for sure. The last flat I had was at night,
along a small highway (how come these are always full of debris?!),
like thirty-five miles away from home. A real bummer topping off an
otherwise great day.
> They're made from closed cell foam, I think. As to "how do they
> work?", "not very well" appears to be the almost universal opinion
> from cyclists that actually want to get about over any sort of
> distance and enjoy themselves in the process. But you won't get
> flat tyres.
I'm still damned curious, and would be willing to just try some out --
though I'll be too lazy to install them if they're really that much of
a hassle just getting on and off! Not to mention damaging the
wheels...?!?!
> Pete.
> --
> Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
> Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
> Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
> net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
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| | |
Date: 05 Feb 2006 20:55:09
From: Peter Clinch
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
> Of course I have a need for speed -- though I won't be "racing" -- but
> I don't see how things can be adversely affected by a couple of hundred
> of extra grams.
Depends on how much you're really worrying, but if it weren't a
genuine concern all the bikes ridden by pros wouldn't be floating
/very/ close to the UCI's minimum weight limit, as there'd be
nothing to gain.
Also, if the weight is on the wheels it'll possibly have some
noticable effect on the handling, perhaps more especially on the
steered wheel. But I doubt you'd notice that much difference on a
bike like the Streetmachine, which is both refined and a little
ponderous even though it can get a good head of speed with a run at it.
> I'm still damned curious, and would be willing to just try some out --
Your time... though I'm not afraid to experiment a fair bit (or I
wouldn't ride 'bents and unis), something which has been widely
available for years and has attracted /no/ positive comments from
any cyclist covering distances I've yet come across is really not
shouting out "Try me! Try me!".
Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
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Date: 04 Feb 2006 17:03:11
From: Peter Clinch
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
> Thanks for turning me onto this latest must-have item! =) So that
> Schwalbe athon Plus sounds like the thing to get to avoid
> punctures...but how heavy is "heavy," really?
Too heavy for racing if you're serious about it, but not too heavy
otherwise, especially on a bike like a Streetmachine which isn't
exactly light to start with.
I use standard athons on mine and have managed one puncture in
several years (a glass sliver). Also use athons on the Brompton
folder, add another puncture over several years on those. Unless
you're in a particulat puncture black spot) lanes covered in
trimmings from Hawthorn hedges are often cited in the UK) standard
athons (standard issue on the SMGT) should be fine.
> And what about airless tires? What are they, how do they work?
They're made from closed cell foam, I think. As to "how do they
work?", "not very well" appears to be the almost universal opinion
from cyclists that actually want to get about over any sort of
distance and enjoy themselves in the process. But you won't get
flat tyres.
Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.clinch@dundee.ac.uk http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
|
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Date: 04 Feb 2006 07:21:27
From: Earl Bollinger
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1138998161.737178.247140@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Hi, All:
>
> Thanks for turning me onto this latest must-have item! =) So that
> Schwalbe athon Plus sounds like the thing to get to avoid
> punctures...but how heavy is "heavy," really?
>
> And what about airless tires? What are they, how do they work?
>
>
> TIA!!
>
there are two types you could use, the entire airless tire/tube unit as one,
or use a tire of your choice with a airless tube.
In either case they are heavier, which makes the wheels feel sluggish and
more hard to pedal (sort of like the rolling resistance is greater).
They ride and feel harder or more harsh. They are very difficult to get on,
you have to be careful to not stab yourself as you have to use real wide
blade screwdrivers to put them on, whcih means thin alumnium rims can be
damaged in the process, but if you have steel stamped rims you are OK.
The sold tire ones may not have a good gripper tire design, you may need to
be f\careful on wet roads or streets in the turns and such.
But if you are getting lots of flats from thorns, glass, sharp rock
splinters and such, they are the way to go in that case.
it is a trade off, lots of flats or lots of riding, so it depends.
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Date: 04 Feb 2006 04:18:31
From: Ron Wallenfang
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
I gave up quickly on slime tubes for the reasons stated by others. It's
impossible to repair a puncture when you get one, and worse, difficult to
reinflate the tube. I also gave up after a couple winters on studded tires.
Their rolling resistance is big-time (2+ mph for me), plus they are very
noisy.
Mr. Tuffy liners stop many (not all) punctures, but their sharp edges
themselves cause leaks. That can be cured with thick thorn resistant tubes,
which I do use. But they too have a downside. They are more susceptible to
stem failures than other tires.
I have had success with Bontrager kevlar-lined tires. Like the Mr. Tuffy
liners, they don't stop everything (I've had failures when I hit a 1 1/2
inch screw and a 1 inch nail), but they do stop a lot of small stuff. Plus
they're good for 5000 miles or so on the rear wheel and almost indefinitely
on the front. I assume I'm giving up some speed because they are moderately
heavy. I use them with the thorn resistant tube and sometimes a Mr. Tuffy
liner, though I'm leaning against that right now. On long trips, my spare
tubes are not thorn resistant. They're too bulky.
"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1138998161.737178.247140@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Hi, All:
>
> Thanks for turning me onto this latest must-have item! =) So that
> Schwalbe athon Plus sounds like the thing to get to avoid
> punctures...but how heavy is "heavy," really?
>
> And what about airless tires? What are they, how do they work?
>
>
> TIA!!
>
|
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Date: 03 Feb 2006 18:19:27
From: Chalo
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
>
> Thanks for turning me onto this latest must-have item! =) So that
> Schwalbe athon Plus sounds like the thing to get to avoid
> punctures...but how heavy is "heavy," really?
I used the 700x38 version of those tires, and they are about twice as
heavy as the lightest tires I have used in that size range.
http://www.schwalbe.com/index.pl?bereich=produkte&einsatzbereich=4&produktgruppe=48&produkt=131&details=226
I _love_ Schwalbe athon Plus tires, but I have had some problems
with them blowing off my rims at modest amounts over the sidewall
rating. I have also had one sidewall herniate at the rated pressure
with less than 20 miles on the tire.
That's the bad news. The good news is that they not only prevent
punctures, but the tread's "chewy center" offers a cushy ride even when
the casing is inflated very hard. It makes a tremendous positive
difference in ride quality.
I wish my bikes could accomodate the 700x47 size.
Chalo Colina
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Date: 03 Feb 2006 16:20:01
From: Tim McNamara
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com > writes:
> Hi, All:
>
> Thanks for turning me onto this latest must-have item! =) So that
> Schwalbe athon Plus sounds like the thing to get to avoid
> punctures...but how heavy is "heavy," really?
>
> And what about airless tires? What are they, how do they work?
They ride like they have 200 psi in them, and they roll like they have
40 psi in them. In other words, the worst of both worlds. They won't
go flat but you'll also not enjoy riding your bike...
|
| |
Date: 03 Feb 2006 22:03:56
From: Ron Hardin
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
Maybe if you have constant flats; I tried some back in the 70s and
(a) they're real bait for screwdriver skin punctures trying to get
them on and off
(b) they don't solve the changing tire problem! The tube wears through
in a little longer than it takes normally (because you don't care about
actually wearing through as much) so you still have to change the
sucker, and that's _hard_, going off and going on.
(c) the increased vibration breaks apart the hub flange at the spoke
holes.
Cheng Shin tires last forever, if you want an alternative, though
they have by far the greatest rolling resistance I've ever run into.
--
Ron Hardin
rhhardin@mindspring.com
On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.
|
| |
Date: 03 Feb 2006 13:38:17
From: bill
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
In the past 4 years, I have ridden on average, 2,000 miles per year. I
have had one puncture flat in that time.
What do I ride? Tubulars (aka sew-ups). Half were standard butyl
tubed, the others TUFO vulcanized tublesss tubulars.
"Impossible!" is what I hear all the time. But if you know how to use
tubulars, they are far better in this respect.
Clinchers are prone to flatting. The stiffness of the construction
encourages puncture rather than deformation. The tube is prone to
pinch flats. And no, this is not because of "faulty installation." It
is the "snakebite" phenomenon--which happens to mountainbikers even
more frequently. At some point, you will bottom out to the rim flange,
and when you do, it is snakebite time. Tubulars don't have that sharp
flange, and so bottoming out never damages anything.
Go ahead and ride your airless bricks. See if you have fun.
The great thing about tubulars is that they are less flat-prone and at
the same time the most fun to ride! (Nothing accelerates, corners or
feels like a good tubular).
And you don't have to deal with trying to get that kevar bead over the
flange in the winter, as you do with clinchers. Tubul;ars are easy to
change--just strip one off and pull the new one on.
Mileage:
rear tires, I get 1,000 miles on a lightweight trainer (Conti Giro) or
TUFO performance type. I gert 2,000 rear wheel miles on the heavier
TUFOS.
front tires, I get over 4,000 miles and have to change them due to
drying out, rather than treadwear.
|
| | |
Date: 03 Feb 2006 16:30:00
From: Tim McNamara
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
|
"bill" <bill@plattdesign.net > writes:
> In the past 4 years, I have ridden on average, 2,000 miles per year.
> I have had one puncture flat in that time.
8,000 miles and "one puncture flat." Have you had other types of
flats?
> What do I ride? Tubulars (aka sew-ups). Half were standard butyl
> tubed, the others TUFO vulcanized tublesss tubulars.
>
> "Impossible!" is what I hear all the time. But if you know how to
> use tubulars, they are far better in this respect.
>
> Clinchers are prone to flatting. The stiffness of the construction
> encourages puncture rather than deformation.
Malarkey. Pure and simple. Those who have ridden both know that you
are either making this up or thoroughly confused. There are lots of
clinchers available with casings every bit as supple as tubulars.
Hell, most tubulars are nowhere near as supple as the old Setas but
people talk about them like all tubulars are like those old silks.
> The tube is prone to pinch flats. And no, this is not because of
> "faulty installation." It is the "snakebite" phenomenon--which
> happens to mountainbikers even more frequently. At some point, you
> will bottom out to the rim flange, and when you do, it is snakebite
> time.
Fairly true. Although I can't recall a pinch flat on my clinchers in
quite a while, a couple of years maybe.
> Tubulars don't have that sharp flange, and so bottoming out
> never damages anything.
Malarkey again.
> Go ahead and ride your airless bricks. See if you have fun.
>
> The great thing about tubulars is that they are less flat-prone and
> at the same time the most fun to ride! (Nothing accelerates, corners
> or feels like a good tubular).
A double dose of you-know-what here.
> And you don't have to deal with trying to get that kevar bead over
> the flange in the winter, as you do with clinchers. Tubul;ars are
> easy to change--just strip one off and pull the new one on.
I can change the tube out of a clincher faster than I can replace a
tubular.
> Mileage:
>
> rear tires, I get 1,000 miles on a lightweight trainer (Conti Giro)
> or TUFO performance type. I gert 2,000 rear wheel miles on the
> heavier TUFOS.
Wow. I'd be really pissed off if I only got 1000 miles on a rear tire
before it wore out.
> front tires, I get over 4,000 miles and have to change them due to
> drying out, rather than treadwear.
Rotating your tires correctly prevents this problem. Take the worn
out rear tire off, swap the front tire onto the rear wheel and put the
new tire on the front.
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Date: 04 Feb 2006 02:23:11
From: Werehatrack
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
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On Fri, 03 Feb 2006 16:30:00 -0600, Tim McNaa
<timmcn@bitstream.net > wrote:
>"bill" <bill@plattdesign.net> writes:
>
>> front tires, I get over 4,000 miles and have to change them due to
>> drying out, rather than treadwear.
>
>Rotating your tires correctly prevents this problem. Take the worn
>out rear tire off, swap the front tire onto the rear wheel and put the
>new tire on the front.
Ah, but with tubulars, this isn't practical; only a clincher allows
the tire to be easily and swiftly demounted and remounted for
immediate use on a different wheel. Thus a worn tubular on a front
wheel is likely to remain in service there until it's worn out. The
commonplace clincher safety measure of always putting the best tire
forward isn't a policy that easily adhered to with tubulars.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
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Date: 03 Feb 2006 21:06:42
From: Werehatrack
Subject: Re: Airless Tires? And How Heavy Is "Heavy"?
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On 3 Feb 2006 12:22:41 -0800, "NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com >
wrote:
>And what about airless tires? What are they, how do they work?
They are semi-solid constructs, sometimes using a conventional tube
with a foam doughnut in place of the tube, and sometimes made as a
unit with the foam center molded in place within the tire shell.
While they are often regarded as a good thing on wheelchairs and other
low-speed devoces which require a minimal-maintenance service
situation, they have far higher rolling resistance than most
conventional tires (even the puncture-resistant ones fare better from
what I've heard) and they ride very rough; like running a conventional
tire severely over rated pressure.
Some recreational and commuter cyclists like them. No competitive and
few enthusiast cyclists feel that the penalties justify the expense,
inefficiency, and difficulty of installation.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
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