Strada Bianchi tyre choice

rower63
rower63 Posts: 1,991
edited February 2016 in Road general
A mate of mine is doing Strada Bianche early March and needs advice on tyre choice, namely size and brand/type. Apparently Strada Bianche is mainly dry fine gravel. He has a Spesh Roubaix and plenty of clearance.
Can the hive mind help please?
Dolan Titanium ADX 2016
Ridley Noah FAST 2013
Bottecchia/Campagnolo 1990
Carrera Parva Hybrid 2016
Hoy Sa Calobra 002 2014 [off duty]
Storck Absolutist 2011 [off duty]
http://www.slidingseat.net/cycling/cycling.html

Comments

  • thegreatdivide
    thegreatdivide Posts: 5,807
    Strade Bianche is dry fine gravel until it rains. Get your mate to Google 'Strade Bianche Giro 2010' so he's prepared for the worst.

    I'd go for 28mm.
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,379
    not done the event but have ridden a bit on the same surface (dry), with 25mm tubs it was ok, though in retrospect i had the pressure too high

    with clinchers i'd use a bigger tyre and run lower pressures, 28 or 30mm

    stick with slick/light textured tread, i think chunky tread would be spraying bits at high velocity over you/bike, whereas with slicks you just get coated in a generous layer of dust, or mud if it rains...

    make sure everything is done up tight, i took it fast as i could as it was much comfier, but my saddle clamp was still shaken loose, since then i put some threadlock on the screws
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Challenge make a tyre specifically for this event - I can't quite remember the name of it though...
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,317
    I have done those roads on thee occasions during the Eroica... Always used 23-25 mm tyres, no problem at all
    left the forum March 2023
  • xcMuttley
    xcMuttley Posts: 434
    Bit of an oddball choice, but how about some Soma Supple Vitesse tyres?
    If I could afford them I would have some for my next "all road" build.
    http://store.somafab.com/sosuviex70ti.html
    Check out my blog for my views and reviews: http://memylifeandmybike.blogspot.co.uk/
  • anonymousblackfg
    anonymousblackfg Posts: 2,029
    Have ridden those roads mainly by mistake while out in Chianti each year. I'm not sure pattern will help that much but a larger size, say 28's with a softer rubber would help.

    On the level sections given the fine gravel you can clip along nicely but you'll still need deal with car tyre ruts and holes which will be the difficult bit. If it rains it looks like a slippery clay based sh1t show.

    I've done PR and Flanders on 23 GP4 Seasons and GP4000's and been ok but if money was no options i'd go 28 Open Paves.
    If I know you, and I like you, you can borrow my bike box for £30 a week. PM for details.
  • tgotb
    tgotb Posts: 4,714
    Here you go:
    http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TBCHSTBI/c ... bular-tyre

    If you get the tyre pressure right (and I don't mean super-hard), large-volume tyres have a much lower impact on rolling resistance than you might expect, especially if you have something with very supple sidewalls (the more tpi the better).
    Pannier, 120rpm.
  • rower63
    rower63 Posts: 1,991
    brilliant - thanks people. I'll let you know what he ends up going with...
    Dolan Titanium ADX 2016
    Ridley Noah FAST 2013
    Bottecchia/Campagnolo 1990
    Carrera Parva Hybrid 2016
    Hoy Sa Calobra 002 2014 [off duty]
    Storck Absolutist 2011 [off duty]
    http://www.slidingseat.net/cycling/cycling.html

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