Current Projects chat and miscellany

The SL42 comes with a black braking surface, will that get worn down to silver over time?

Yes. It's only soft anodising, it will be gone in a week if you ride in town in all weathers.

Damn, I suspected as much.

Do gp4000 come in 28's? only seen 25's

23&25

The Grand Prix 4 seasons come in 28.

gators are great for cheap everyday commuting tyres. They wear out pretty quick and don't have great grip but roll alright and are cheap, so if it gets killed by a big piece of glass or whatever it's no big issue.
Gp4000 are very quick tyres, last for a good amount of time and don't puncture too easily.
4seasons roll slightly slower than the gp4000's, but last much longer and are a good amount more protected from punctures. Both these ones cost a fair amount so can be pricey to replace.

I've heard people say the opposite about the 4 season - it isn't as long lasting due to the softer compound for increased grip in cold/wet weather.

I'm torn between these two. But either way, I think I'll end up with a much faster tyre than the 28c marathons I'm currently running!

The other option is the Rubino Pro in 28c.

They're meant to be releasing a 28c GP4000s soon

I'm going to go for 23c - or is this ridiculous?

No reason to go for 23c, get 25s

The 25c is pretty narrow anyway... More comfort, more grip, why not?

And it doesn't affect the rolling resistance?

Oh nefarious, you so funny.

I just don't know. God forbid I make the assumption that smaller tyre diameter results in a smaller contact area, reducing friction. God forbid!

Quick quote from C+;

Wider tires roll faster than narrower ones: Riders have argued for years that narrower tires – especially on the road – roll faster and are more efficient than wider ones when in fact, the opposite is true. According to Wheel Energy, the key to reducing rolling resistance is minimizing the energy lost to casing deformation, not minimizing how much tread is in contact with the ground. All other factors being equal, wider casings exhibit less 'bulge' as a percentage of their cross-section and also have a shorter section of deflected sidewall.

More link.

Schwalbe also said the same;

Small diameter tires have a higher rolling resistance at the same tire pressure, because tire deformation is proportionally more important, in other words the tire is "less round". Wider tires roll better than narrow ones. This assertion generally generates skepticism, nevertheless at the same tire pressure a narrow tire deflects more and so deforms more.

So Specialized;

I've heard people say the opposite about the 4 season - it isn't as long lasting due to the softer compound for increased grip in cold/wet weather.

I'm torn between these two. But either way, I think I'll end up with a much faster tyre than the 28c marathons I'm currently running!

I used a pair for most of last year on my fixed bike then my road bike and they still look barely worn. If you're coming from marathons then anything will feel quick.

Quick quote from C+;

More link.

Schwalbe also said the same;

Pls find published & peer reviewed studies.

Kthx.

The rubber on Contis seems to last forever. All of mine have been retired due to bad cuts, not from tread wear.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I'd still suggest 28C Rubino Pro at half the price and with the benefit of a nicer ride. The GP4000S is a good tyre though.

gp4 season in 25c, thank you all for having patience with my massive lack of understanding on this subject - mans just don't want to be throwing away £60 on wrong tyres ya get me?

Speaking of 25mm tyres, the Bontrager AW2 look very interesting, will get a set for my fixed bike, the sidewall is very tiny;

The rubber on Contis seems to last forever. All of mine have been retired due to bad cuts, not from tread wear.

This and...

28C Rubino Pro at half the price and with the benefit of a nicer ride.

This.

Still going for the Contis loololololol.

Dat irrationality

By the way, bike's too small for you Jordan.

Not a huge price difference when you take that sale price on wiggle.

I hadn't even looked, just saw the comments and it made me laugh