Tyre change before Argus

[Hearts*]

Hi Guys,

 

I have had a good streak with my current tyres not puncturing since August last year...I had a inspection last night and I might be due for a change.

Should I change this week before the Argus or should I push through? Also maybe a swop from front to back might be easier, but that means less traction on the front wheels?

 

If it was any other race I would most probably not even check my tyres...the pressure of the world champs!

[dev null]

I have decided to get a set of new Gatorskins and tubes for the race. I currently have a set of Kenda Kriteriums on, but in the back of my mind I don't trust them even though I have not yet had 'n puncture with them.

[Red Zone]

Go ahead and change the tyres, at least you will have something new (if not shiny) to make you feel faster. Although you will probably be a bit slower due to the weight of the extra tread that you will have on the new tyres. Just take them for a spin before the race to bed them in and make sure you have fitted them correctly.

[Ryan]

Do you know how you would kick yourself if you didn't fit new tyres and then punctured on the day.

[Minion]

Also maybe a swop from front to back might be easier, but that means less traction on the front wheels?

You can swap front to back, but never swap the other way - it's dangerous. Here's why:

http://sheldonbrown.com/tire-rotation.html

[LOOK695]

I would put new tyres on

[Tiny K]

I fitted new tyres two years ago, and dies - because of the wind - yeah, it's off topic a lil bit.

 

If your tyres look dodge and you are nervous about them and you are really counting on the Argus to give you you best results ever, then change them.

 

I have a set of race wheels and training wheels, so I inspect my tyres before and after every race. There are a few nicks and scratches, but none deep enough to do harm.

 

If you are unsure, change them. CWC has some good specials going at the moment.

[Pusher]

I would put new tyres on

Buy them at the Expo-there should be good prices!

[Hearts*]

I'll try and go to the expo Thursday and get a set of Gatorskins...the expo usually has some nice specials...

[Tiny K]

You can swap front to back, but never swap the other way - it's dangerous. Here's why:

http://sheldonbrown....e-rotation.html

 

Let me copy paste it here but I must say, I never thought of it that way before, but it makes sense especially with my weight of a tad short of a century I am heavy on tyres, especially back ones.

 

 

 

It is common for a front tire to outlast a rear tire by as much as three to one. Rear tires have more weight on them, and also have to deal with drive forces.

 

This disparity in tread life is exacerbated in the case cyclists who rely on their rear brake (you shouldn't! See my article on Braking and Turning.)

 

Well-meaning cyclists, even some mechanics who don't know any better, sometimes try to deal with this by swapping tires, putting the less worn front tire on the back wheel, and moving the worn-but-usable rear tire to the front. The idea is to equalize the wear on the two tires, but this is a serious mistake, don't do it!

 

The only time tire rotation is appropriate on a bicycle is when you are replacing the rear tire. If you feel like taking the trouble, and use the same type of tire front and rear, you should move the front tire to the rear wheel, and install the new tire in front.

 

The reason for this is that the front tire is much more critical for safety than the rear, so you should have the more reliable tire on the front.

 

If you have a blowout, if it is on the rear tire, you have a very good chance of bringing the bike to a controlled stop. If your front tire blows, you can lose steering control, and a crash is a real possibility.

[Hearts*]

So in the end my new tyres lasted for the ±5km of the Argus I did...

My RD got caught in my wheel and bent pulling the RD over to the top front of the cassette into the wheel, I tried to bring it back down and my RD broke off...and that gentlemen was my Argus done and dusted...

It was my best seeding to date with ±5 months of training at least 4 days per week and then it ends with a mechanical...

 

The only positive was a gentlemen that gave me a lift back to my car at the Waterfront...His wife forgot her helmet and he was back to the start...