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You're all mad.
26" versus 700c doesn't equate to lighter versus heavier (especially when running super wide tyres).
There are plenty of tyre choices out there for both wheel sizes.
The way you've distributed your weight on your bike will have more effect on grip than a soft/hard compound tyre (for the most part).
Running less PSI only helps achieve grip on uneven surfaces (think MTBing), but it's also a neat way of getting an early warning pre-slip on slippery surfaces (your side wall will start to turn over before the wheel goes, giving you more "feedback" in your grip).
The surface area of most tyres will be very similar at the same PSI (despite differences in width), an exception being a non-round profile tyre, such as the RiBMo.
Soft compounds for grip with even braking ("steady" braking) on both wheels, a tyre is useless once it's skidding.
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I'm spouting shite
not all wrong then
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Max, I had no idea you weren't British.
The reason it's easier to Skid a smaller tyre isn't because of a change in surface friction, but because sideways force is spread over the contact point. Smaller contact point = much greater concentration of force.
But there is more to 'control' than merely surface friction. There is also balance, which is greatly effected by how big your contact point is and how it moves underneath you.
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more weight over the back = more grip at the rear
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26" just looks better.
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26 looks better on short people.
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A light 700c rim versus a heavy 26" rim will mean more acceleration (and less momentum) for the 700c wheel compared to the 26" (this goes against the norm as 26" rims normally have this property due to the small diameter).
Weight distribution: Too much weight on the rear and there isn't enough downward force on the front to find grip or "confidence". (Think oversteer/understeer in a front/rear engined vehicles.) Most polo rigs put too much weight behind a turn which is not good for grip (skids/wobbles versus smooth turns across the profile of your tyres).
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Really nice website. Loads of good solid content.
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Max, what's up with the fork disc mounts, I know they are post mount, but why the long extension washers for a 160mm rotor?
EDIT: Nevermind, it's because of the two rake options!also, is the cutout in the dropout supposed to look like a cock and balls?
http://www.maxpowercycles.de/wp-content/gallery/frames/max6_web.jpg
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Really nice website. Loads of good solid content.
great favicon.
and the technical stuff on the site is really interesting and well thought out
nice one max! glad its all working out well for you.
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also, is the cutout in the dropout supposed to look like a cock and balls?
http://www.maxpowercycles.de/wp-content/gallery/frames/max6_web.jpg
Same as this!
Brilliant tab thumbnail thingy on your webpage btw...
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rolling resistance is even more experimental stuff than friction, i don't know enough about it to really beeing able to explain everything right. main thing is: rolling resistance increases exponentially as pressure gets lower. probably because: if you have lower tire pressure, your tire doesn't just roll in clean contact to the ground, but it gets warped constantly. this needs energy, which is then mostly transfered into heat.
hope my poor technical english ins't too confusing
Great explanation. I remember reading somewhere that wider profile tyres (assuming same tyre pressure) have lower rolling resistance (although obviously wider profile equals great aerodyamic resistance), but this clearly isn't something that would come into polo.
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As far as weight goes, a 200g 700x23c race tyre isn't going to last very long on most people's polo bike. A 350-400g 26x1.25" Ribmo lasts ages.
Well, yeah, but I would happily sacrifice durability for performance. The difference in grip between Zaffiros & Fortezzas is really noticeable, and that's between two tyres of a similar weight.
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Great explanation. I remember reading somewhere that wider profile tyres (assuming same tyre pressure) have lower rolling resistance (although obviously wider profile equals great aerodyamic resistance), but this clearly isn't something that would come into polo.
Sheldon says same psi + wider tyre = feels harder.
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Sheldon says same psi + wider tyre = feels harder.
Yeah, I wasn't referring to comfort, more an objective measurement of friction.
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Posted by
@Shinscar
Interesting - to be honest I can't think of a time where I've slipped out on an outdoor court, even if it's wet. Some tyres 'feel grippier' though, which gives me more confidence. The main problem is less control with skidding or braking heavily in corners causing front wheel skids.
For road riding, I think it's an issue of confidence again - I've only ever slipped out on frost or ice and that would happen to any tyre. Perhaps I'm not cornering hard enough.
As far as weight goes, a 200g 700x23c race tyre isn't going to last very long on most people's polo bike. A 350-400g 26x1.25" Ribmo lasts ages. Also, all other things being equal a 26" wheel will be lighter and hence accelerate faster than a 700c wheel.