Epic tyre choice

[Racer X]

have you seen that advert in the cycling mags showing the teamwork of the cannondale team' date=' when their rider finished an epic stage on a tire-less back rim? wouldn't be a great advert for vredenstein.[/quote']

 

Yeah those Vredestein Killer Bees those guys rode are pretty crap when it comes to puncture resistance, a bit like rubber coated paper.

[AfricaMike]

Have you ever spent time in the slipstream of a bike shod with Crossmarks.  If you're into a facesandblast of note then tell your partner to ride Crossmarks.  My preference is Intense System 2's - reasonably priced and fantastic grip on hardpack dirt roads and sandy beach stuff.  They're not fond of standing climbs and they perish quite quickly on tar.

 

I had bad experiences with slashing the sidewalls of my Pythons but I believe that Hutchinson has done some work on improving them.

[Big JD]

 

What is a "fast rolling" or "slow rolling" tyre?  I don't understand. Also, plesase tell us how you perceived the one to be faster/slower than the other.

 

 

Very good question Johan. I was wondering the same myself

[Johan Bornman]

Team Alb-Gold that won the last stage of this years Epic rode with Nobby Nic's and had no problem at all.

 

My personal choice would be The Nobby Nic's.

 

BTW----They rode the complete Epic with that single set of tyres.

 

I'm confused. Are you amazed that they finished the Epic with the same tyres as they started or that they finished the Epic with Nobby Whatchamacallits?

 

 

[Johan Bornman]

Have you ever spent time in the slipstream of a bike shod with Crossmarks.  If you're into a facesandblast of note then tell your partner to ride Crossmarks.  My preference is Intense System 2's - reasonably priced and fantastic grip on hardpack dirt roads and sandy beach stuff.  They're not fond of standing climbs and they perish quite quickly on tar.

 

I had bad experiences with slashing the sidewalls of my Pythons but I believe that Hutchinson has done some work on improving them.

 

I agree. They're lethal. Not only to your wheelsuckers, but also to yourself. From the front tyre they spray grit into your face and sandblast the downtube. From the back, grit gets blasted onto the drivetrain and into your slipstreamer's face.

 

The solution to this isn't very difficult. Since the pickup is from the blocks closing their grip as the tyre compresses at the bottom and letting go as the wheel rolls, and not from the tackiness of the rubber, the solution is easy.

 

They just need to taper those blocks a little bit and the pick-up will disappear. But no, they (and their advocates here on The Hub) have 1001 reasons why that particular block shape is the best science has to offer.

 

I think that tyre can also be improved by getting rid of the cosmetic + in the centre of each centre row of blocks. That will reduce squirm where it matters most.

 

 

[JasonW]

Just started using Specialized Fast tracks. very impressed with their handling and they seem to be as good as any tyre in the rolling resistance department.

[GoLefty!!]

Have you ever spent time in the slipstream of a bike shod with Crossmarks.  If you're into a facesandblast of note then tell your partner to ride Crossmarks.  My preference is Intense System 2's - reasonably priced and fantastic grip on hardpack dirt roads and sandy beach stuff.  They're not fond of standing climbs and they perish quite quickly on tar.

 

I had bad experiences with slashing the sidewalls of my Pythons but I believe that Hutchinson has done some work on improving them.

 

I agree. They're lethal. Not only to your wheelsuckers' date=' but also to yourself. From the front tyre they spray grit into your face and sandblast the downtube. From the back, grit gets blasted onto the drivetrain and into your slipstreamer's face.

 

The solution to this isn't very difficult. Since the pickup is from the blocks closing their grip as the tyre compresses at the bottom and letting go as the wheel rolls, and not from the tackiness of the rubber, the solution is easy.

 

They just need to taper those blocks a little bit and the pick-up will disappear. But no, they (and their advocates here on The Hub) have 1001 reasons why that particular block shape is the best science has to offer.

 

I think that tyre can also be improved by getting rid of the cosmetic + in the centre of each centre row of blocks. That will reduce squirm where it matters most.

 

 

[/quote']

 

 

 Could not agree more. I absolutely hate those tyres the easy solution is to run them the wrong wy round..........oh hold on crap you can't because they're not direction specific.

 

And those silly little swiss flags on the centre tread, damn weight weenies cos the onlypurpose those flags serve to remove rubber and reduce weight.

 

I'll stick to Pythons for now. Even at a system weight of 90Kg*, I could not break them in 966km.

 

 

 

* System weight includes rider, bike, clothing, food and spares needed to get through 1 stage of the  Cape Epic

[Scoe]

Been riding a Crossmark UST on the back for a while.

 

It is FANTASTIC on hard pack... and usefull for ditching those darn slipstreamers, ha ha.

 

But really, very nice tire1

[Underachiever]

The Specialized Fast trak was durable enough' date=' just felt a bit slow rolling. The Pythons : any mishaps?

 

I would be a bit careful of the Fred's as a front tyre, especially if Dr Evil works something like the Gamkasberg downhill into the 2009 route. A good suggestion as a rear tyre though. Fast rolling. 

[/quote']

 

What is a "fast rolling" or "slow rolling" tyre?  I don't understand. Also, plesase tell us how you perceived the one to be faster/slower than the other.

 

 

 

Johan,

 

Wanted to write a comprehensive e-mail our your comment, but time I don't have the time.....

 

Consider this:

If basketball players and golfers develop such a feel in their sports (just aiming and firing away into the hoop or into the cup), then surely bikers can develop the same feel to say one frame is more stiff than the other or one tyre rolls better than the other.  God gave us an amazing body.

 

EVERYTHING doesn't require an n'th degree of scientific analysis to be taken as the truth.

 

Thanks to the hubbers that contributed positively to the thread.

 

   

Underachiever2008-12-11 07:14:54

[Johan Bornman]

 

EVERYTHING doesn't require an n'th degree of scientific analysis to be taken as the truth.

 

That's probably why we still have the burden of religion.

 

Thanks to the hubbers that contributed positively to the thread.

Glad I could help.

 

   

[Groot Lem]

Guys,not wanna brag/talk sh*t, but after a few glasses of red wine I'm stumbling on this ***. I've done 4 Epics. U cant decide on tyres untill you know the conditions, like sand, rocks, hardpack. And WET or DRY?? No one knows.

And anyway, the type of person that post this, packs a camelback that weighs 10kg's. So rather go save on the weight.

[Underachiever]

 

EVERYTHING doesn't require an n'th degree of scientific analysis to be taken as the truth.

 

That's probably why we still have the burden of religion.

    

 

Johan

 

I had a feeling you'll pull the religion card.  I am a Christian, if religion is a burden to you, I feel sorry for you.

[Underachiever]

Guys' date='not wanna brag/talk sh*t, but after a few glasses of red wine I'm stumbling on this ***. I've done 4 Epics. U cant decide on tyres untill you know the conditions, like sand, rocks, hardpack. And WET or DRY?? No one knows.

And anyway, the type of person that post this, packs a camelback that weighs 10kg's. So rather go save on the weight.

[/quote']

 

Hendrik, haven't changed in all these years I see, it's time to grow up and stop talking sh*t.  

 

A honest question was asked, and I for one that knows the Cape quite well (and doing the Epic next year), was quite interested in the answer.  Goodbadugly was hoping that the Capetonians could help in this regard.

 

Also, I thought  the purpose of this section was to ask (and learn from the answers).

 

 

 

[Racer X]

The new Conti Race Kings look like another good option for the epic.

[Johan Bornman]

 

I am a Christian' date=' if religion is a burden to you, I feel sorry for you.[/quote']

 

Please dont.

[Johan Bornman]

Hendrik' date=' haven't changed in all these years I see, it's time to grow up and stop talking sh*t.  

 

A honest question was asked, and I for one that knows the Cape quite well (and doing the Epic next year), was quite interested in the answer.  Goodbadugly was hoping that the Capetonians could help in this regard.

 

Also, I thought  the purpose of this section was to ask (and learn from the answers).

 

 

 

[/quote']

 

Methinks Hendrik gave a very honest reply. It doesn't matter. Just ride the damn thing.

 

This is not Formula One where you can pop into the pits and change tyres based on the moisture content in the air.

 

In a single day you'll find rock, sand, water, mud, leaves, kikuyu and powder. Whatever tyre you've been training with that's not too smooth will do the trick.