700 cc wheels, clincher rims. Need a pair of tires good for gravel and paved road race. I know width is good, but how wide? I have plenty of clearance for wider tires.
More tread better? I am willing to sacrifice weight for better tread and cost. I won't be using these for everyday training or racing, so cheaper is better.
M.
2007-01-20 03:38:04 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Cycling
I ride LOTS of gravel roads, my bike is basically a 'cross style, but I also race road and crits with it.
In my experience, width is more important than tread. Because gravel is loose, you're not going to get traction regardless of the tread, so I run slicks front and back (that way at least they are fast on the pavement and corner well there).
You want width to avoid pinch flats. I run pretty firm pressure even on gravel, 95+. When I ride with guys using standard road tires, they get a pinch flat or 2 on every ride, while I almost never do.
On front I run the Avocet FasGrip Carbon 12 in 700x32. I forget whether I have the kevlar or not.
http://www.avocet.com/tirepages/carbon12_specs.html
In back I run the Panaracer Pasela. It has a bit of tread but they last a really long time and I haven't had a rear flat yet in the year since I put it on. It's a bit heavy for a racing tire though.
http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/tires_tubes/10070.html
So there you go. If I was going to race on a combo road/gravel course, I'd run these tires and some good strong 32 spoke wheels, leave the ultralight boutique wheels at home. You can't win if you don't finish.
Scott
2007-01-20 12:52:27 · answer #1 · answered by scott.braden 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a pair of "cross" (cyclocross) tires. Very durable for the off-road parts of the race. Lots of different tread patterns available. Attached link is a good set of Kenda Kwick Cyclocross - 700 x 30 with a tread pattern that is not too agressive on the knobs, so you will still be able to get some good speed while on the paved sections. $19.95 USD per.
2007-01-20 18:43:12 · answer #2 · answered by OlMacDude 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a catalog ( FREE printed 2007 by now) from COLORADO CYCLIST---they have a vast outstanding variety of road bike tires!!! ( or if you prefer check their official website )----Tread? Unless you'll go cyclo---its BEST you get wider and sticky brands.
2007-01-20 18:59:02 · answer #3 · answered by hummerhead2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think your best size is about 1.9 inch and you can go for panaracer fireblades i think they do them on 700c's but if not then there are a lot of maxis tires available that range from £7-£25 per tyre just depends on how much you are willing to spend
2007-01-20 17:26:59 · answer #4 · answered by tom g 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The kind that have 3 inch spokes, like on golf shoes....
2007-01-20 11:45:35 · answer #5 · answered by Yentl 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋