Specialized Captain Control - What size?

apreading

I just ordered a pair of Specialized The Captain Control 2.0 tyres from Noahs Ark.

Looking to use these for intermediate stuff. I already have Nevegals for more off road stuff and some Michelin Citys for all road use. I was looking for something in between for Canal towpaths, bridalways and route which include some road work too. The captain controls were the ones I fancied for this.

However they sent me the 2.2s - which arent even listed on their website and I didnt think were available in the UK.

Now I have seen some say the 2.2s are better if you want a do-it-all tyre but I am not exactly looking for that and I suspect the 2.0s would be better for weight and rolling resistance.

I would just send them back and ask for what I ordered but as you cant normally buy them in the UK and I have seen many rave about them, part of me wonders if I should keep them.

Or should I consider a compromise and put a 2.0 in back with a 2.2 up front?

Any thoughts????

Thanks

BigShot

I think you need to ask yourself what you would have done if both were readily available.

Would you have gone for the 2.2 at all? If not then it's simple - get 'em swapped. If so then it's a bit more complicated. Can't be any more help than that though.

*AL*

apreading wrote:

Or should I consider a compromise and put a 2.0 in back with a 2.2 up front?

That's not a compromise, that's the best way.

I have S Works captains (2.2 front & 2.0 rear) on both my Stumpty and Epic throughout the summer.

apreading

Trouble is - I dont really know...

I have never run anything wider than a 2.0...

I have just got the nevegals for when I want a wider, more gripy tyre.

With the captains I was looking for low rolling resistance above most other considerations, but with enough grip that I dont need to change tyres at the slightest hint of off-road.

I guess what I am asking is whether the 2.0 will roll better and will I notice the lighter weight? If so, and I am thinking it will be, then that is the one I want.

Just thought I would get a sanity check before I contact them - if consensus is that the difference is negligible then I will give the 2.2s a go and if I dont get on with them I guess I could just get a 2.0 or even a fast trak for the rear.

apreading

*AL* wrote:

That's not a compromise, that's the best way.

I have S Works captains (2.2 front & 2.0 rear) on both my Stumpty and Epic throughout the summer.

Thats what I thought I had read. What is the downside to running the 2.2 in the rear too?

I am thinking I might give that a go for a while and switch the rear to a 2.0 or even a fast trak if I feel the need to change. Or do you think I should get a 2.0 for the rear now?

My lad will be upgrading from his 24" Hotrock at some point and has already told me his new bike MUST be a specialized so I am guessing he will get Fast Traks F&R. I could swap his front for my rear Captain 2.2 if I wanted to try that option out.

*AL*

apreading wrote:

Thats what I thought I had read. What is the downside to running the 2.2 in the rear too?

I am thinking I might give that a go for a while and switch the rear to a 2.0 or even a fast trak if I feel the need to change. Or do you think I should get a 2.0 for the rear now?

My lad will be upgrading from his 24" Hotrock at some point and has already told me his new bike MUST be a specialized so I am guessing he will get Fast Traks F&R. I could swap his front for my rear Captain 2.2 if I wanted to try that option out.

A 2.2 would be ok on the rear, it's just personal preference.

I find the 2.0 on the rear to be plenty large enough to provide some comfort and enough grip, whilst the larger 2.2 front keeps the grip bias toward the front, which is where you really want it.

Fast Tracks are gash on anything except tow paths and completely bone dry dirt.
If you're buying a new bike any Spesh dealer worth their salt would swap them for something to your liking to clinch the deal, mine even swapped the saddle and grips to keep me sweet.

apreading

Funny thing about Fast Traks - some seem to love them while others hate them. My lad has them on his Hotrock and loved them - they seem to be fine with all of the riding we do. I am sure when we go to Swinley they are not the best but he copes happily.

We dont tend to go when it is really wet and sloppy mud though.

I have seen quite a few people on the web saying that Captains up front and Fast Trak LK in the rear is the best all round solution.

I am not totally sure they are right and would probably spec a Captain 2.0 in the rear as you have suggested by choice, but our experience of Fast Traks suggest they arent really that bad unless you are trying to do something serious with them.

tsenior

Fast tracks are good for hardpack and hard dry trails and pumped up, acceptable for tarmac sections up to a couple of miles, they are at least fast.

nothing slippy or sticky though.

apreading

wasnt looking for slippy or sticky - thats what I have the Nevegals for.

Something tells me I want a little more versatile that Fast Traks though - hence Captains seemed a sensible choice. I suspect I will change to 2.0s for the rear at some point though.

I think I will give the 2.2s a gofor now though.

thanks all

*AL*

I was in my lbs at the weekend and the manager is quite an accomplished XC racer.

Although I haven't tried it myself, he uses a 2.2 or 2.0 Captain on the front and a 2.0 Fast Track on the rear for dry weather racing. He's tried everything on the market over the years, and reckons that the Captains/Fast Track combo is neigh on impossible to beat.

Obviously there's a certain degree of personal preference preference involved, but if you have the tyres to hand it's worth a try.