Re: New to cycling
 

Not really, but it's difficult to comment on that, the weight of the motor is the real issue here. :yelrotflm

I did find however, I gained about 2-3Kph ave speed on my regular rides just with the tyre change from 23 to 25.

Re: New to cycling
 

Get to the carpark, drop the bike and flake out on the ground.

Re: New to cycling
 

Haha. That's a fair call. Just wondered if you had some form of plan to avoid feeling sore a few days after.

Gained 2-3km ave speed? wow, that's a fair bit. Why would that be? I would have though less frictional foot print on the road would equate to faster speeds?

Re: New to cycling
 

That's exactly what happens. The 25 has a shorter but rounder contact patch over the longer one for 23s. Longitudally the 25 has less rolling resistance.
Many pros are now running 25mm tyres for that exact reason.

EDIT: More info here http://www.competitivecyclist.com/learn/25-vs-23

Re: New to cycling
 

wow, thats something I didnt know. Cheers for the heads up.

Re: New to cycling
 

Rubino Pro slicks in 23.

Re: New to cycling
 

Interesting, when I started road racing we all rode 27x1 on your high end race bike and 27x1 1/8 on your training bike. Yes I have been in this sport long enough to remember imperial sizes. The idea was to go narrow and hard on race wheels.

Then came the metrics and the practice was the same but even more so as the metrics came narrower than the imperials did and I remember running 23 on my training wheels, 21 on my road race wheels and 19 (@160-180 psi) on my TT bike. The ride quality on a tubular (singles) in a 19 at 160 psi was awful, you might as well be riding concrete wheels but that same sensation made you think it was fast.

Now it seems we were wrong all that time.

Re: New to cycling
 

Anyone know what pressure I should be running in my mountain bike tyres? Maximum on the sidewall? They seem to bulge a bit with me on it, I'm not sure what the bike shop set them too.

Or maybe I'm just too fat and this problem will go away if I use the bike more :yelrotflm

Where can I get a tyre inflator where I can see what pressure I'm putting into them? Is there an adaptor that fits into a car tyre inflator?

Re: New to cycling
 

What type of tyres, off road, hybrid or slicks? Where are you riding?

Yes you can get adaptors for the valves.

Re: New to cycling
 

Its funny how things change, makes you wonder if its all manufacturer propaganda or changes in technology (different rubber). I was of the same opinion, Skinny and harder was better, I used to ride a heap when I was younger and in training for competition in another sport - many years ago now.(When did things change to metric sizes anyway??)

I have now started back riding for fitness and fun in the last couple of years. As with most things I get into, I read up and absorb as much info as possible. Out of curiosity I decided to give the 25s try, and have not looked back. Obviously there is a point where it becomes too wide though.
I have even heard of some pros running 28mm tyres in classics like Paris - Roubaix and Tour of Flanders. clearly this is due to the lower pressure factor = softer ride, but the trade off cant be too bad or they would "suffer" through with the 23 or 25 tyres..

Re: New to cycling
 

Norco Charger - cross country bike, I'm guessing hybrid type tyre:

http://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/...er/charger-91/

Local dirt back roads mostly.

Re: New to cycling
 

get yourself one of these Damo

http://www.rei.com/product/657109/to...ort-floor-pump

that is what i have, but there are a range of brands out there and prices start from about $40 depending on quality. they are readily available at all decent bike shops and sporting goods shops.

Re: New to cycling
 

Now you are testing my memory. I remember still being on 27x1's when I was 13 but metric was coming in, my bike was a Malvern Star with Shimano 600 on it. My next bike had 700c wheels, Mavic MA2 rims with Phil Wood titanium hubs and I was on that bike when I was 15 so that would make it about 1985-1987.

Do you have it in the 29", if so I would like to get a 29er to replace my current 26?

I would assume you are just running standard tyre and tube and not tubeless. If so 35-40 psi will be ok. You can go up and down from there depending on where you ride and what you like. Go harder pressures if you have some weight on you or your are riding a lot of hard pack/pavement. The down side of high pressures is you lose some of the tyre deformation and therefore there tyre contact patch that gives you grip. Also high tyre pressures will bounce off ruts and rocks etc which will lose grip rather than absorbing them. Go too soft and you will run the risk of pinch flats.

I am 90+ kgs at the moment and I run 35 psi on my MTB with no problems.

Re: New to cycling
 

Anybody used these tires before and can give an honest review?

http://www.wiggle.com.au/schwalbe-ul...ing-road-tyre/
http://www.wiggle.com.au/veloflex-co...ing-road-tyre/

Re: New to cycling
 

I haven't used them, but I have used other Ultremo's, they seem fine.

My personal favourites are Michellin Pro Race 4 - Endurance and Vittoria Rubino Pro's.

Re: New to cycling
 

What are they (Ultremo's) like in terms of puncture resistance?

Re: New to cycling
 

As I said, I didn't use the ones you quoted, but the ones I used were fine really.

Like anything, if you hit a big enough piece of glass or metal, it doesn't matter what you're running.

I once used the Schwalbe durano's, meant to be the best commuting tyre on God's green earth. No joke, first ride I got a puncture. But that was caused by a large nail that I didn't see due to the rain, so didn't matter what I had on, it was going to get punctured.

The Michelin Pro Race 4 Endurances have done really well for me. They've gone through quite a bit of smashed up glass and held up beautifully *touch wood*

Re: New to cycling
 

Cool. Cheers for the heads up.

Re: New to cycling
 

Hi All,

long time lurker, I have recently dusted off the mountain bike and getting back into cycling after a very long hiatus, and just joined the strava group.

I am hoping to buy my first road bike later in the year so will probably bug you all with lots of questions :yelrotflm

cheers
Dale

Re: New to cycling
 

Welcome Dale. Good to hear you getting back on the saddle. Let us know if anyone here can assist.

Re: New to cycling
 

no probs Dale, just fire away when ready. we've all been there (some more recently than others) but you have to start somewhere.

Re: New to cycling
 

Thanks guys

Re: New to cycling
 

2 solid rides on the new bar tape, 106 km yesterday with 2 major climbs and another 53 km today with no major climbs but as I live in a semi rural area all my rides are done on pretty rough roads.

Just to re-cap I have fitted Specialized gel pads and Specialized Roubaix wide tape. There is a hell of a lot more padding and it really does take some of the vibration out of it. I have noticed that it gives a strange sensation when climbing out of the saddle as the gel allows a lot of movement under your hands and it feels like something is really flexing on the bike. It feels great in the drops, seems to smooth out some of the curves of my Ritchey WCS anatomical bars and allows great grip in the 80km/h plus descents, really happy with this.

So it seems worthwhile if you have to endure pretty rough roads but I think it would be overkill if you spend most of your time on smooth roads. In that case I think the Roubaix wide tape without the additional pads would be a good choice.

Re: New to cycling
 

That Charger 9.1 is sexy as, I want one. Funny how I got no resistance from my wife when I bought my new F6 but she ****** and moans over a $1500 pushy!

Re: New to cycling
 

I have been using for some years Vredestein Tricomp tyres 23' on my race bike , and have been alternating between Schwalbe ULtremo ZX 23' or Continental 4000 Grand Prix 23' on my trainer and commuter.. I must say the Schwalbe feel the nicest in all weather conditions , and you get very good k's out of them , but the Vredestein matched to the Zipp 404 , just feel faster - but not has forgiving ...

Re: New to cycling
 

If anyone is interested i am selling my dads bike for him.
avanti giro size medium.

Alloy frame with carbon fork, seatstays and seat post.
Will come with specialized road shoes.

Can sell for $500 Cost him $1850
https://i1286.photobucket.com/albums...ps1yhlvkfo.jpg

https://i1286.photobucket.com/albums...pszjmdhqkh.jpg

Re: New to cycling
 

too small for me.

if anyone comes across a half decent roadie in large (somewhere in the mid to high 50's cm) in the brisbane area, then let me know. haven't ruled out buying a 2nd bike to keep at my folks place up there so i have something to use whilst on holidays.

Re: New to cycling
 

Rode through a Booze Bus last night & got breath tested, lol. Anyone else had this before?

Re: New to cycling
 

Not me. But since we ride what is considered a legal vehicle on the roads, we need to make sure we abide by the same rules in terms of alcohol limits.

Re: New to cycling
 

Defiantly, I wasn't fussed by it at all.