Tires and Racing

I'd be interested to the replies on this one too.  I think those thoughts.  Within reason as long as they are 700s they should fit. I  train with (I think) 23s and have a set of 21s that I just put on for the race (and the few days before to check all is well)

I don't swap tubes (but I don't repair them either so they go if they are damaged)

 I also have old (too many flats to risk on road now) tires that I use for the trainer.  The only trouble with that is being bothered to change them if I get an opportunity to ride outside (bit snowy here at the moment)

Going to a 19 mm depends on your wheel rim.  Other factors are your weight.  If your rim can handle the narrow tire and your weight is 160 or less I would say you would be ok.  Thing to remember narrow tire can be have more pinch flats.  Tire manufacturer are different make sure you get recommendations first.

Thanks for the good information.  just to help out with more information on some of the things you guys are talking about.

 I weigh 158 currently and will probably be down around 155 for the season.  My rims are Fulcrum Racing 7 alloy clinchers.

Also, it says the maximum psi on the tires I have is 140 so I have been inflating them to just under that for each ride for lack of knowing any better from the way it sounds. What should I be inflating my tires to for normal every day rides?

http://www.vittoria.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=19&Itemid=158

I have Fulcrum Racing 3 on my Scott CR1.  I love those wheels.  For races I use Continental Grand Prix 4000 700x23 @ 120psi+.  My weight is 165-170lbs.  My Tri bike is Felt B12 with TTR3 wheels.  I use the same race tire.  My training tire is a Continental Ultra Race. 

I just got a cheap set of race wheels so I have been looking into tires and tubes.

You can get a Michelin Pro Race 3 for $30 at probikekit.com. They ship free and it takes about 7 - 10 days to get to you. (I went this route)

As far as tubes go. By all accounts Michelin Latex is the way to go, although Vittoria has a butyl tube out (EVO 55) that is a touch lighter than the Michelin latex. I figure if you are going to have a race setup might as well get all of it. Will tires and tubes make your Fulcrum 7's faster? I am going to guess yes and I think we should be able to safely say they won't slow you down at the vert least.

As far as inflation goes. Even though your tire says max psi of 140 you don't need to go that high. I am sure if you inflate your tires around 100/110 you will feel a difference in your training ride comfort.

Tufo Tubular clinchers for race day, the ride is amazing.

kevin

If you site the tire head on, and notice the crown is worn flat, it's time to replace them. Also replace them if, upon inspecting them, you notice any cuts or, on the sidewalls, cracks.

Awesome.

For you tubular users, note the importance of gluing your tires properly.

During my 3-4 month racing season I use tires that I like (Michelin ProRace3; fast and not particularly expensive) and the rest of the year I use any old inexpensive tire.

Right now I'm running a $20 rear tire with 2,100 miles (road and trainer), without a flat in that time.  I'll keep using it until my first race in early April when I'll toss it and replace it with one of last year's ProRace tires I saved.  I already had to put on my other saved ProRace2s on the front already since I had a major slice in my training tire last month.

I'll run the ProRace tires from April until they wear out this time (one already has 1,100 miles on it), then change to cheaper training tires again until the 2010 racing season.

FWIW, my personal experience is that cheapo tires perform as well as better racing tires in terms of flat resistance and slice resistance (though probably not as fast and may not last as many miles).  I had to toss a couple of GP4000s well before the tread wore out due slices.  I've had as many or more flats on GP4000s and the ProRace tires as I've had on cheapo tires.  I may try Gatorskins as they are apparently very flat resistant which might be nice for training tires, though I gather not cheap.  I don't mind getting flats when training solo, but I've been doing more group rides and don't like the idea of holding up others...

Brian 

i use PR3's (from probikekit as well) year round, except on the trainer.  IMHO unless you want to use a super light, soft TT specific tire, there is no reason to have 'race' tires, and as was mentioned before, tires get faster with use.

If you choose laytex, remember to inflate them EVERY time you go out.  Latex is more porus then butyl and they will leak horribly, especially if you fill it with CO2.  Also remember that narrow tires tend to look and feel full even when their pressure is really low.  A tire at 50 psi can still feel hard to the touch.  I rode on a 19 front when I was in the 160's with no issue, except for the time I 'pinch-checked' it before a ride and pinch flatted.  Oh yea, 19's are a **** to change on the side of the road with no levers (lesson #2 learned that day).

And slower on everything except super-smoth surfaces, due to increased rolling resistance. Unless you're racing on the track, you probably shouldn't be on 19mm tires.

but big tires aren't as sexy, and EVERYONE knows that's what matters the most.