Messages

1

Gear Talk / Slick tires

« on: October 03, 2005, 08:33:20 pm »

RolyPoly --

Thanks very much for the data.  I'm using 35 mm tires, which fit well on my bike, and the Conti tread pattern is pretty unobstrusive.

Cars tires, of course, have pronounced tread patterns which provide channels for the water to escape out from under the tires so as to prevent hydroplaning.

Is there any benefit to a channeling-type tread pattern on a bike tire, or are the tires narrow enough and speeds low enough that hydroplaning isn't a real-world factor?

I remember some years ago riding on a wet asphalt street when all of a sudden my back wheel lost traction and swung around beside me, much like a dirt-track motorcycle in a turn.  It was a non-knobby treaded tire, but I don't recall what make/model.  

Sheldon's article makes it sound like there's no benefit at all to treads, but that certainly seemed like a hydroplaning event.  

Is there truly no difference between treaded and non-treaded tires in wet situations?

Mark




This message was edited by like2bike on 10-3-05 @ 8:32 PM

2

Gear Talk / Slick tires

« on: September 28, 2005, 08:17:03 pm »

Well, I just read St. Sheldon's article on tires.  Now I'm a believer in slick tires for my touring bike.  

So what's a good 700c slick touring tire?  I've been running Continental Top Touring 2000, and I've been looking at the Schwalbe tires advertised in the magazine, but those are both treaded tires.

What's the list think?

Mark

3

Gear Talk / A chain is a chain is a chain....or is it?

« on: September 28, 2005, 08:20:53 pm »

I agree with the comments above.

You might be interested, however, in replacing one of your links with a Wipperman Connex link.

This is the high-tech equivalent of a master link, and it makes removing the chain really easy - so it's easy to clean (rather than using the "on-the-sprockets" chain-cleaning machines.

I've run mine for several thousand miles without a problem.

Mark

4

Routes / riding west coast

« on: January 21, 2004, 02:25:49 pm »

I ride from San Luis Obispo to Ventura, CA with some frequency.  It's a pretty route.  There's no water between Lompoc and Gaviota State Beach.

See ya --

like2bike

5

Routes / W. Montana routes?

« on: December 26, 2003, 10:05:44 pm »

Hi,

I'm planning a cycle touring trip to western Montana next summer, and I'm looking for route advice.

The trip is four cycling days long, and we have to fly in & out of MT.
 
We live down in the scrubby chaparral area of S. Calif. and are looking for some of that Alpiny exposure.  We'd be camping out for the three nights.

This seems like a popular cycling destination, and I wonder if any list members have any good ideas about this.

Thanks!

Mark