tires

[mimitabby]

okay, i'm not a new rider; but i'm new to the world of buying tires I hope that counts.

I look in the catalogs and all the "good" tires are black... yet i see people
with all sorts of colorful (really neat looking) tires.

what's the deal? can you buy a good sturdy tire that is RED or BLUE or .. ?

thank you

[Tri Girl]

My LBS has lots of colorful tires- I think my next pair is going to be colorful instead of boring ol' black. What color are you thinking you want? What color is your ride?

[SadieKate]

There are plenty of "good" tires in other colors. Get on the manufacturers web site.

What tires are you considering and why?

PS - It does seem like a lot of the colored tires are only available a 23, maybe a few in 25.

[mimitabby]

my ride is the bike in my avatar without the yellow seat and handlebars.
it's a dark navy with yellow. right now it has medium blue tires (it came with them) but for my birthday i am going to ask for a slightly larger tire size
so COLOR would be nice. Not sure;what do you think? Navy blue or Yellow?
or Bianchi celeste?
:)

[Eden]

Vittorias wear like iron and come in several different colors (red, blue, yellow and green with or without a black stripe depending on the model/use).
They are called "road racing" tires, but the ones that are listed as training tires are super tough. I rode a Vittoria (I think it was a Rubino) on my rear all winter long with nary a flat tire - and put it on the trainer most evenings and it never even started to show any wear.

[Nanci]

Nice- try having a bike with 650's and wanting colored tires...I'm lucky to find _anything!_

Sort of tossing around the idea of Gatorskins for the next set, although I rarely flat (untli I said that) even on light racing tires. But still...

I'd sure like some nice red tires, though.

[mimitabby]

There are plenty of "good" tires in other colors. Get on the manufacturers web site.

What tires are you considering and why?

PS - It does seem like a lot of the colored tires are only available a 23, maybe a few in 25.

my bike has 23's and i'd like to go to 25 for stability... so why not get cool tires at the same time. I'll look up the Vittoria's.

[SadieKate]

Deleted. Mimi answered faster than I could type.

[mimitabby]

Nice- try having a bike with 650's and wanting colored tires...I'm lucky to find _anything!_

Sort of tossing around the idea of Gatorskins for the next set, although I rarely flat (untli I said that) even on light racing tires. But still...

I'd sure like some nice red tires, though.

Yeah, what's up with that? I know if i ever go custom, that's the tire size i'd want, what a bummer. I saw a lady on a little bike with awesome colored tires. but i have NO idea what kind they were.

[Eden]

A teammate of mine uses Tufos and I'm almost sure her's are red -at least I know Tufo makes red (as well as other colors) and she rides 650's. The thing is they are "tubular clinchers" so they don't have an inner tube even though they go on clincher rims. I think that they are very flat resistant, but more difficult to fix if you do get a flat.

[SadieKate]

Tons of really good tires out there. Colored in 25 -- you'll have to do some research. Depending on your decision, I have a brand spanking new set of Michelin Carbon 700x25c with yellow stripes. They are very durable. Not as supple as a high performance racing tire but great for training (they're labeled ultra resistant). They won't work on my Ritchey rims. Tell the RD I'll make him a good deal if this is what you want.

Sheesh, I have got to get going on how to sell on eBay. The sheer volume of extra stuff is driving me nuts. The LBS calls us for parts!:eek:

Check Schwalbe and Continental also.

www.biketiresdirect.com has a good selection if you want to see multiple manufacturers quickly and has a somewhat usable search function.http://www.biketiresdirect.com/categories.asp?cat=ti&tnum=1824248&c=2430917

[mimitabby]

awe, Sadie Kate, i want COLORS!

I know what you mean about parts... we need to set up a swap website
with paypal and stuff for bike stuff.

[Tri Girl]

I vote for yellow tires-they will look like they're on fire when you're flying down the road.

[mimitabby]

whoa whoa,
clincher tire is Standard for road bikes??? really? How come my husband has 300 different tubes??

[SadieKate]

Clinchers use tubes. Tubulars (aka sew-ups) do not.

[SadieKate]

awe, Sadie Kate, i want COLORS!oops, I just added that they have yellow stripes.

A picture of the tires. This model has been replaced the the Krylions, I think.
http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/wheels/tires-clincher/michelin/PRD_112159_2489crx.aspx

[mimitabby]

I vote for yellow tires-they will look like they're on fire when you're flying down the road.

yellow does sound cool. but they don't seem to have them in a big enough size.
21 cm is all i can find!!

[Kitsune06]

hmm... anyone know if 26" road slicks come with blue? :o

[Bikingmomof3]

Tons of really good tires out there. Colored in 25 -- you'll have to do some research. Depending on your decision, I have a brand spanking new set of Michelin Carbon 700x25c with yellow stripes. They are very durable. Not as supple as a high performance racing tire but great for training (they're labeled ultra resistant). They won't work on my Ritchey rims. Tell the RD I'll make him a good deal if this is what you want.

Sheesh, I have got to get going on how to sell on eBay. The sheer volume of extra stuff is driving me nuts. The LBS calls us for parts!:eek:

Check Schwalbe and Continental also.

www.biketiresdirect.com has a good selection if you want to see multiple manufacturers quickly and has a somewhat usable search function.http://www.biketiresdirect.com/categories.asp?cat=ti&tnum=1824248&c=2430917

Oh more things to look at for my new bike. I believe my tires are 700x25c. :)

[fatbottomedgurl]

I vote for yellow. My mtb tires are red to match the red accents on my black & yellow bike.:) w/ black & red saddle.

[Triskeliongirl]

Schwalbe Stelvios come in many colors right here on TE, but only in 700 x 23. BTW, its a great tire, high pressure, light, rolls really well, very flat resistant. I use them cuz they are the best racing tire in both a 24" and 700cc size. Mimi, do understand that if you go to a wider tire you will have more rolling resistance and it is likely to impact your speed. I do prefer wider tires on my commuter, but love the 23 stelvios for fast club riding. My husband bought the yellow striped michelins, and they tore on his first ride! I have yet to flat with my stelvios.

[DebW]

Clinchers use tubes. Tubulars (aka sew-ups) do not.

Sew-ups do use tubes. When you repair them, you have to open the stitching and patch the tube. But you can't replace the tube (unless you want to do several hours worth of sewing). You don't carry spare tubes, but a spare tire with a tube sealed inside. There are new tires called "tubular clinchers" which contain no tubes and use clincher rims. Traditional sew-ups use a very different rim and are held on by glue.

[mimitabby]

DH said my tires were not the sewup or clincher type as I suspected.
Judging from the comments in this thread, #1 i will buy yellow or yellow striped tires
#2 BIKE TIRE MANUFACTURERS, GIRL BIKERS OF ALL AGES LIKE COLORS!!!! and we have $$$ and like to spend it!!!

[KnottedYet]

I think these are cool. Maybe I'll get some when (if) my continentals wear out.

http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/webalog/tires_tubes/10054.html

[mimitabby]

Knotted,

those are cool!! but he says he's going sell them for 32 bucks a piece, but then is selling them for 38 and 43!!!

people should proofread their ads.

[KnottedYet]

The text was written in 2002 or so, and then the prices were updated since then. But aren't they cool tires?

[SadieKate]

Sew-ups do use tubes. When you repair them, you have to open the stitching and patch the tube. But you can't replace the tube (unless you want to do several hours worth of sewing). You don't carry spare tubes, but a spare tire with a tube sealed inside. There are new tires called "tubular clinchers" which contain no tubes and use clincher rims. Traditional sew-ups use a very different rim and are held on by glue.Thank you, Deb. I was trying to keep this super simple so as not to confuse Mimi.

Mimi, if you don't have sew-ups or clinchers what do you have? Unless you have a solid tire -- but that is even more rare than a sew-up/tubular on a road bike.

Any recent model road bike will use clinchers.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html

[mimitabby]

doy.. i have tires with tubes and with rims.
sorry. I am getting it bit by bit.

I presumed that Clinchers were the new thing to hold onto the sew/glued tires.

Rims: Mavic CXP-21, 32

i'm glad my husband isn't reading this!
:o

[SadieKate]

Rims: Mavic CXP-21, 32

I assume the 21 and 32 were simply the previous version of the 22 and 33 listed on Mavic's site.

You can look on the manufacturer's sites to find maximum tire size and pressure as shown in the link below. A little bit of sleuthing and you could probably find the same for your rims but it is probably the same or darn close to it. You are not looking to put an extreme tire on the rim so any 700x25 should be fine.

http://www.mavic.com/ewb_pages/p/produit_jante_cxp33.php?onglet=3&gamme=route

[SadieKate]

Schwalbe Stelvios come in many colors right here on TE, but only in 700 x 23. BTW, its a great tire, high pressure, light, rolls really well, very flat resistant. I use them cuz they are the best racing tire in both a 24" and 700cc size. Mimi, do understand that if you go to a wider tire you will have more rolling resistance and it is likely to impact your speed. I do prefer wider tires on my commuter, but love the 23 stelvios for fast club riding. My husband bought the yellow striped michelins, and they tore on his first ride! I have yet to flat with my stelvios.

Regarding rolling resistance: http://sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#width

Regarding "yellow striped michelins": Michelin makes many tires with yellow stripes and not all Michelins have the same durability. Race Pros are known for being more prone to slashes (personally experienced) but Carbon are known for lasting a darn long time (also personally experienced).

[mimitabby]

People are telling me that i will be slower on 25cm tires than 23cm tires.
I don't see that it's going to make THAT much difference, I'm not a racer.
Thanks for the Sheldon Brown article.
He seems to agree with the Cascade bike club guy who came to my company to talk about urban biking. He said that most people have too much air in their tires. If a 250 lb man has his tubes at the max inflation of 90, someone like me (125lbs) can do just as well with less air in my tires, and so doing have a more comfortable ride..

[kelownagirl]

Sticking my nose in here with a question. Dh has 23cm and I have 25cm tires. I have trouble keeping up with him at the best of times. Do you think a tire change might help even a bit? I'm looking for any advantage I can get...

Interesting about the inflation. We don't have a guage so we have to guess how much air we have. Guess it's time to buy one.




People are telling me that i will be slower on 25cm tires than 23cm tires.
I don't see that it's going to make THAT much difference, I'm not a racer.
Thanks for the Sheldon Brown article.
He seems to agree with the Cascade bike club guy who came to my company to talk about urban biking. He said that most people have too much air in their tires. If a 250 lb man has his tubes at the max inflation of 90, someone like me (125lbs) can do just as well with less air in my tires, and so doing have a more comfortable ride..

[Geonz]

35 to 28... now *that* makes a huge difference.

25 to 23 - at that point, the other differences in the tread might make more difference. First off, some tires with the same size number just aren't the same size, I don't care what they say (like dress sizes). Other tread differences and how much pressure is in 'em will also make a difference. Chain "stretch" will make a difference - how many miles on the chain? Seat adjustment? Foot position? Stroke technique ("round and round, not up and down)?
Lots of things to think about for getting that edge... more chocolate or other caffeine source (or slip him decaf) would prob'ly do it :-)

[Kano]

Sticking my nose in here with a question. Dh has 23cm and I have 25cm tires. I have trouble keeping up with him at the best of times. Do you think a tire change might help even a bit? I'm looking for any advantage I can get...

Interesting about the inflation. We don't have a guage so we have to guess how much air we have. Guess it's time to buy one.


Hee Hee! Kelowna -- this is just like me! I have trouble keeping up with DH too, and keep looking for little things (like here, honey, have a trailer and drag dear grandson along!)

Yup, get a tire gauge -- if my tires are below some number, it's like slogging through mud compared to having plenty of air! (DHisn't as picky about his tire pressure, he teases me -- says I would go nuts with those road bike tires, cuz they need "such high pressure")

Karen in Boise