Looking for new tires
Yesterday I was watching this video of the Stage 16 mountain top timetrial at the Giro d'Italia when the phone rang. The caller was from a bike shop from whom I'd placed an order for some tires.
See, I've been running whatever skins I've had laying around on my TT bike this year. I found an old Michelin Pro Race for the front. On the back it has been a red striped Michelin Ironman in what looks like a 25mm on that Hed disk. I decided it was time to invest in something known to be lower in both profile and rolling resistance.
The tires I'd chosen were Michelin Pro Race 3, or Pro 3 Race. Whichever. I found out that even though they're advertised in a 20mm, Michelin hasn't yet begun making them. The search for new tires thus continues.
Even if you're not following the Giro you should check out this video. The ramps these guys are pulling are real killers. Well north of 20% and unpaved. There aren't many times you'll see the pros running compact rings and dinner plate cogs.
Eight miles in a little over 40 minutes. Less than 12 mph. Think guys like us could do 10 mph? Yeah, maybe for a handful of minutes. Maybe.
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You gotta wonder
What sort of tires they use for a ride like that. I am betting they are something in a nice tubular.
I have seen the data for the latest clinchers, but I think I will continue to use tubulars for their plush feel and pinch flat resistance...it seems I can never complete a ride without finding some gravel/rough sections.
May be it is in my head, but tubulars just feel better in almost ever aspect of riding.
Giro
That mountain stage was just amazing! When you see a pro with a 28 on the back ... wow!
There are LOTS of nasty steep climbs in Italy.
tyres....
For TT use, you might try some Veloflex Record clinchers, they're just a little faster than Pro Race 3's.
R.
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