Quote Originally Posted by ny biker View Post
I have not had much experience with chipseal (not that I'm complaining ) but I think you can make modifications to make it less unpleasant, specifically with your tires. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think wider tires will help, e.g., 25 or 28 mm instead of 23 for a road bike. Also lower air pressure should help. Just make sure your frame can work with the wider tire; someone at the LBS told me my Madone can use a 25 but not a 28. If you have a touring bike, you can probably go even wider.
Yes the wider tire does help some. I rode the Hotter N Hell last year on my hybrid with 28s and a lower tire pressure. I now ride a Ruby with 25s. I did lower my tire pressure some when I rode chip seal here, but then I tend to suffer more flats. I think with Chip seal there is nothing that will totally help, you can just make it as comfortable as possible. Be thankful it isn't a popular road surface where you are.