tyre advice please

aripallaris
aripallaris Posts: 294
edited May 2011 in Road beginners
so my trek bike came with some all season race bontrager 23c tyres which im pretty happy with..(then again they ar the only ones ive experienced) no punctures yet, seems pretty fast but it is my first roadie. grip is pretty good too.

well heres my dilemma. I also purchased some folding gator skin ultra tyres in 25c but im not sure whether or not to get them fitted to the bike. im a little worried that i may be compromising on speed and grip. what do you experienced roadies recommend? ive seen a set of continental gp 4000s going for a round 30ish. should i get some new wheels in 23c?

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    In all honesty, you'll probably find the Gatorskins both more comfortable and faster (wider carcass, less rolling resistance). I don't understand why you feel you need someone to fit them for you?
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • aripallaris
    aripallaris Posts: 294
    ah thats just my wording... ill be doing the fitting myself. :lol:
    think im just going to have to try them out tonight... any tips with installing folding tyres? ive read they can be a little tricky
  • ShutUpLegs
    ShutUpLegs Posts: 3,522
    aripallaris wrote:
    ah thats just my wording... ill be doing the fitting myself. :lol:
    think im just going to have to try them out tonight... any tips with installing folding tyres? ive read they can be a little tricky

    Unfold them first
  • aripallaris
    aripallaris Posts: 294
    lol
  • aripallaris
    aripallaris Posts: 294
    lol
  • mankybianchi
    mankybianchi Posts: 117
    Not really much of a dilemma though. Fit the gatorskins and see for yourself seeing as you already have them. You then have your own experience to draw from.
  • -steves-
    -steves- Posts: 99
    cadseen wrote:
    avoid using tyre levers.

    As a complete newbie, why? I thought thats was what they were for? Is it just because its easier to trap the tube?

    Ta
    Steve
  • markos1963
    markos1963 Posts: 3,724
    -steves- wrote:
    cadseen wrote:
    avoid using tyre levers.

    As a complete newbie, why? I thought thats was what they were for? Is it just because its easier to trap the tube?

    Ta
    Steve

    A lot of beginners can be hamfisted with tyre levers and end up trapping the tube with the lever. If you can learn to fit tyres without levers it's a good skill to have, especially when out on the road.
    Norfolk, who nicked all the hills?

    http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/243 ... 8d.jpg?v=0
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  • -steves-
    -steves- Posts: 99
    markos1963 wrote:
    -steves- wrote:
    cadseen wrote:
    avoid using tyre levers.

    As a complete newbie, why? I thought thats was what they were for? Is it just because its easier to trap the tube?

    Ta
    Steve

    A lot of beginners can be hamfisted with tyre levers and end up trapping the tube with the lever. If you can learn to fit tyres without levers it's a good skill to have, especially when out on the road.

    Thank you :D
  • night_porter
    night_porter Posts: 888
    Don't forget to put a little air into the tubes before you try to fit the last part of the tyre, this will also protect against trappin/pinching the tube.

    It can be so demoralising to struggle to put a tyre on, then pump it up and watch it go down or worse still blow out.
  • Garryboy
    Garryboy Posts: 344
    You wont be dissapointed with gatorskins - bought mine after getting a p#ncture on almost every outing with stock tyres - havent punctured since putting on the gators, prob about 300 miles so far on very crap and gravely roads.

    In terms of fitting without tyre levers there is a good vid on youtube about fitting, I think, schwalbe marathon tyres but its good technique to learn for all tyres.

    Enjoy!
  • aripallaris
    aripallaris Posts: 294
    i hope so mate, took me ages to fit them. hopefully i havent pinched the tubes, i dont fancy doing that again. my fingers freaking hurt. only the morning will tell though... also got my new brake pads fitted too (swiss stop greens all round). realigned my seat with a level... so new setup to have a play with on my way to work tomorrow.

    cant wait to take her out for a spin. 8)
  • aripallaris
    aripallaris Posts: 294
    what a difference in the ride quality.. lets painful on the bum, much faster, ten times smoother ride. and i t ook the same route i always take just to have an accurate assessment. also the breaking is so crisp with these new pads.

    kinda annoyed at myself for not getting them on sooner!
  • EdZed
    EdZed Posts: 119
    This demo from Spa Cycles is worth watching, it'll save you a lot of frustration in the future; and no need for tyre levers

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4
  • Rich Hcp
    Rich Hcp Posts: 1,355
    cadseen wrote:
    avoid using tyre levers.

    If you are careful, its no problem using levers for a little extra help.

    I've used plastic levers loads of times and never had a problem, even at the roadside.

    Just be careful and don't over rush it (rule of thumb when changing any tyre, with or without levers) :lol: 8)
    Richard

    Giving it Large

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