Manatee Mentors 2016 - Closed (Page 83)

Speaking of caring...

Guess who has starting logging again?  STEVE!  I've been really worried about him so that made me smile

Ugh - that's rough.  Glad you're able to get back to at least running.  Bet you missed sweating (at least sweating NOT from just pain).

Matt

What you use depends on what you have to some extent. There is usually a range of sizes that work with any particular wheel though they will be more optimized for something. I'm not really familiar with those wheels though. There has been a trend of newer sets going a bit wider. Like the Firecrest example from your other post, or Bontrager Aeolus wheels. These are made for 23 and can work well with 25 too. These are very good wheels and as such tend to be popular. Hence seeing more general comments such as "more, most, many people" using them coming up. But they don't go specifically for your wheel set. My wheels are SRAM S80's which are basically and older set of Zipps. These were optimized for a smaller size tire. I think closer to the 20. I can use 23 or 25 on them, but they tend to become a bit bulbous, meaning they may flop over some in a hard turn. They're just built more narrow. One of the responders (Leegoocrap) has used HED H3 wheels quite a bit, and those have a narrow track which are optimized for a 19 tire, hence him using the size 20 Conti Supersonic. A 25 might get dangerous on there.

Sometimes you'll see two sizes on there. The smaller (more optimized) one being up front as that is the leading edge and will have the biggest aero effect. Then run a slightly bigger tire in the rear as that one is more hidden by everything in front of it. Particularly the frame being immediately in front. The rolling resistance will dominate more and the larger size has tended to do better with that.

Have had times where I've posted more detailed on the general forums something like this last one when there seems to be a bunch of half thoughts or bad thoughts on there and they seem to go completely ignored. Tends to make one a little less inclined to keep going through with it. Still do sometimes, but tend to be more selective now.

I saw that today and wanted to see what you got back.  Tires are interesting in that the fastest ones may go a bit against the grain of what you would generally think. This might help a bit, as thinking has changed in the past 5 years or so:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/learn/25-vs-23

I haven't looked into the Williams specs, but I would think this might help you a bit in sizing things up. You should be fine with 19's or wider (best to go wider though, I think. I'm not sure):

http://www.betterbybicycle.com/2014/04/a-simple-guide-on-essentials-of-wheels.html

I wouldn't take either of these as the sole truth on tires, just a few guidelines if you will.  Another aspect is obviously $$$$. Take my advice with a grain of salt, as I currently ride whatever came on stock on my tri bike and have Gatorskins on my Road bike. I have never had a set of race tires, but I am not in it to win it. If I were, I'd look into 25's with a low rolling resistance. And I'd be right where you are now, starting to research.

COOL!

Some of the comfort things can get kind of funny with how much of a difference people supposedly see by upping the tires a size. I mean, yeah I notice a difference, but the lengths people go to in describing it can get over the top. I'd say incremental at best. I have the full suspension mountain bike with what are 60mm tires run down at ~35psi on a 120mm front fork suspension plus whatever the rear is. It just doesn't feel anything that's smaller than the curb.

Please don't think I am advocating anything other than research, which it seems you are doing.  As such, I would also look at manufacturer & type as part of your search.  And  I'm not sure on tube type for those wheels, I have never looked into latex vs rubber.  I do know one is faster, but I have NO understanding of why or how or even if the latex is available for clincher rims. Just more food for thought.

I need to put some extra tires on my bike.

Well, even if I can't get an extra tubie on my wheel, I'm at least carrying around ONE spare tire after all this time off.

I should fly on the bike.  At least downhill...

Matt

It's always Chris's fault, even when shown otherwise! 

If anyone is curious, the term to look up is hysteresis, the reforming after deforming is more springy in latex. I've never had issues with using latex, but I'm naturally rather careful with things. Others I've known who have had issues also admitted to not always being that great with details.

If this sounds like a lot, look at rolling resistance as the more dominant factor. The coefficients seem small, but they are applied to ALL your weight as everything goes through the tires. The aero comes in more when the coefficients get closer. Gatorskins would be terrible race tires even with no aero resistance. BikeTechReview has a number of tires tested. I forget which is the most current, sorry. Tom Anhalt of ST has also been doing testing over on his site.

In training, run what you like. I've been using a 23 & 25 more recently. Cracks, broken sections, chip seal, gravel, and all kinds of stuff all over. The earlier comments about going overboard were about the descriptions of "comfort" being exaggerations. Wasn't trying to say anyone shouldn't go bigger, just dialing back the expectations. You hit a bump on a road bike and you're still going to feel it. There is enough room to work with that you can take a little of the sting out.

Yeah, bike shops can be risky. Some really just want to sell you stuff. Others think they know a lot more than they do, buying into marketing hype and whatnot. Some do know their stuff. So just be careful of going in thinking they know everything because it's a bike shop.

Oh, man oh Manatees, I have missed you so much!!!  The above discussion about tires cracks me up!

So.  Proof of life post.  My HM in Zion is this Saturday.  I was thinking back and it was one of you Mad Manatees who got me hooked on the idea of doing this race back in 2014.  Here I am, 18 months later, 4 days out from my first HM and it's all your fault!  My training has been going well, even when I end up feeling like crud.  Those lousy days remind me of how important good--and consistent--nutrition/hydration are and that going out slow isn't always a bad thing (despite what my dog thinks).

I'm now officially signed up to do the run leg of the Boulder 70.3 in June and the long course Harvest Moon duathlon in September.  I'm also officially freaking out about the du now that I've done the math and figured out how long it's going to take me to finish the thing.  For some reason, I thought about the distances and figured, "I should be able to do that."  Then I woke up at 3 a.m. earlier this week and thought, "OMG, that's going to take me north of 7 hours to finish. That's a long time to keep moving!!!"  I don't know why I failed to consider that before.  Guess I'm going to have to figure out a good nutrition plan and get a heck of a lot better about drinking water while riding my bike. Or just get faster.

My eyes don't seem to be improving anymore, or if they are, I can't tell.  My eye doctor wants to refer me for vision therapy but is waiting until I get accepted into the state Vocational Rehab program.  I had an intake appointment with a voc rehab counselor in early February and still haven't heard whether I got in. I also had to drop out of choir again because seeing everybody swaying was making me nauseated and leaving rehearsal all the time was getting pretty demoralizing.  I've had some down days, but between the training structure/goals and the inspires I get from you wonderful people, I'm managing to keep moving forward.  Thank you, friends!!

Evidently, Ben has been in contact with my wife and kids! 

^^^ This. After some of the stuff I have seen, I can truly say the level of professionalism and knowledge at the LBS is spread across the spectrum. My instructor at school was awesome. A couple of mechanics I dealt with at a couple of LBS's were NOT. And sales staff are an altogether different level. Remember, that unlike auto mechanics, bike mechanics may not have a certification or anything of that nature.  It can be a challenge to find one that you are comfortable with. So, my advice is to ask away in here and TriTalk, read stuff like Sheldon Brown or the Big Blue Book and the pages Ben and Sean referenced above and gather as much info as you can. Then use that info when you are working with the LBS.  You will quickly figure out who is trying to ca$h in on the quick buck and who is developing a long term relationship.

YAY! That is the best post I have seen catching up!