Narrow Tyres - Page 3

01-23-2005, 03:55 AM

"mark" wrote:

> "Art Harris" wrote
>> "mark" wrote:
>>
>> > IME keeping the tires
>> > fully inflated helps them maintain traction.
>>
>> How do you reckon that?
>
> My experience is that fully inflated tires on a car or bicycle will grip
> better on pavement. As another poster pointed out, decreasing tire
> pressure
> will aid traction on soft/loose surfaces by increasing the contact patch
> of
> the tire, albeit at some increased risk of pinch flats.

An increased contact patch will increase traction on pavement. I'm not
saying to drop pressure from 110 psi to 50 psi, but 85-90 psi in a 25mm road
tire is a good idea in wet conditions. I certainly wouldn't inflate to the
maximum pressure in the rain.

Art Harris

01-23-2005, 03:55 AM

"mark" wrote:

> "Art Harris" wrote
>> "mark" wrote:
>>
>> > IME keeping the tires
>> > fully inflated helps them maintain traction.
>>
>> How do you reckon that?
>
> My experience is that fully inflated tires on a car or bicycle will grip
> better on pavement. As another poster pointed out, decreasing tire
> pressure
> will aid traction on soft/loose surfaces by increasing the contact patch
> of
> the tire, albeit at some increased risk of pinch flats.

An increased contact patch will increase traction on pavement. I'm not
saying to drop pressure from 110 psi to 50 psi, but 85-90 psi in a 25mm road
tire is a good idea in wet conditions. I certainly wouldn't inflate to the
maximum pressure in the rain.

Art Harris

01-23-2005, 06:35 AM

maxo wrote:

> On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 11:15:58 +0000, Rob Wood wrote:
>
>> I have been using 23mm wide tyres on my road bike winter & summer.
>
> You didn't mention your weather conditions; if it's icy or not, true
> winter conditions do not favour such a skinny tire. Do try a set of
> 28's @ 80 psi or so, you'll be rewarded with a fatter contact patch
> and a much more comfy ride. I doubt your speed will suffer much.

This is true, but you can go lower in pressure that that with a 28mm tire. Not
only does a softer tire conform to the ground better, it absorbs little
irregularities that could jostle you loose and start you sliding.

When it's slippery, I leave my road bike at home and ride my mountain bike. Big
tires and a supple front suspension help keep me from slipping. Too much speed
is a bad idea in such conditions anyway.

Matt O.

01-23-2005, 06:35 AM

maxo wrote:

> On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 11:15:58 +0000, Rob Wood wrote:
>
>> I have been using 23mm wide tyres on my road bike winter & summer.
>
> You didn't mention your weather conditions; if it's icy or not, true
> winter conditions do not favour such a skinny tire. Do try a set of
> 28's @ 80 psi or so, you'll be rewarded with a fatter contact patch
> and a much more comfy ride. I doubt your speed will suffer much.

This is true, but you can go lower in pressure that that with a 28mm tire. Not
only does a softer tire conform to the ground better, it absorbs little
irregularities that could jostle you loose and start you sliding.

When it's slippery, I leave my road bike at home and ride my mountain bike. Big
tires and a supple front suspension help keep me from slipping. Too much speed
is a bad idea in such conditions anyway.

Matt O.

01-23-2005, 06:35 AM

maxo wrote:

> On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 11:15:58 +0000, Rob Wood wrote:
>
>> I have been using 23mm wide tyres on my road bike winter & summer.
>
> You didn't mention your weather conditions; if it's icy or not, true
> winter conditions do not favour such a skinny tire. Do try a set of
> 28's @ 80 psi or so, you'll be rewarded with a fatter contact patch
> and a much more comfy ride. I doubt your speed will suffer much.

This is true, but you can go lower in pressure that that with a 28mm tire. Not
only does a softer tire conform to the ground better, it absorbs little
irregularities that could jostle you loose and start you sliding.

When it's slippery, I leave my road bike at home and ride my mountain bike. Big
tires and a supple front suspension help keep me from slipping. Too much speed
is a bad idea in such conditions anyway.

Matt O.