Dolamite02

Are Conti Sprinters no bueno? As for free(ish) I've had an Attack/Force combo sitting in my garage for a season or two, so I threw those on the track bike. Should be a little better than the Vittoria Zaffiro's I've been running. Freeish only because I wasn't using them, and I don't have to buy something else.

carleton

Compared to other offerings by Conti, Vittoria, etc... Conti Sprinters are big, heavy, with lots of rubber making them mushy and having higher rolling resistance.

The funny thing is that these guys have multiple IP and TP Masters national championships and should go to Elites, but don't for whatever reason, even though they race in Pro/1/2 fields on the road (single day, stage races, and crits). They are definitely elite masters with day jobs.

So, while we nerd out on which tires are the best, they don't really care...as long as it stays on the rim and doesn't go flat.

carleton

It is my understanding that Conti Sprinters were designed as a road training tubular with a thick hide to resist punctures. It's not a track tire or a road race-day tire.

I've used them before. You can get 2 seasons out of them on a rough track. I think the glue would dry up on the rim before you wore through the rubber from normal daily use.

Hida Yanra

for the record, sprinters are pretty not-sticky.
They'd possibly/probably work at Carson/Burnaby/etc... but I wouldn't want to do it myself.

I had a rear Durano just 100% not work at Burnaby last week- No good way to know until you are up on the banking, no great way to get down from there other than skill and a tight sphincter. (yes, I do still have all my teeth/skin)

Good to know now- I was slightly on edge the rest of the night, I tried sanding the tyre down and trying again.... had more slippery fun the second time too.

Things that work on a concrete 400 < things that work elsewhere

queerpunk

Yeah Sprinters are definitely only OK. I've had more than a few sphincter-clenching moments cornering with em in crits when other tires would provide muuuuch more confidence. Competitions for the road, Steher for the track if durability is a concern, and Sonderklasse if at-all-costs performance is the main concern.

carleton

I love Stehers for the track (indoors or outdoors) on both race and training wheels. But, I've had lots of unexplained flats with them. I'm considering a new tire.

Kayce

Anyone know anything about Podium Cycling clothing?

Impreza_aL

recently glued these tires. will take proper photos when i get a chance.

Quinn8it

I officially glued my last Steher last year… after using them exclusively for the last 5 years… i had 3 of them flat under the base tape within the first few days of riding them.. one flatted while stretching- and i assumed it was the valve core, and mounted it… flat again in warmup on the first ride..

i am stretching a set of Vittoria Pista CS- i am only going to be using these wheels for training at Encino- so durability is more important than performance...

zizou

How are these chains for track use https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CHKM710...1-8-inch-chain ? (KMC K710sl )

Unfortunately the cheap ones are either pink or white but i dont mind looking like an idiot just so long as the functionality is good. Or am i better going with the KMC Devil chain?

carleton

That's a great chain. It's strong, quiet, and inexpensive. It's slightly heavier than most. It's one that I recommend. Also, being that it's a BMX chain, you can find them locally more often.

zizou

Sounds good then, always nice to have an inexpensive option that works well!

queerpunk

Yup.

I don't think I've ever used a fancy track chain.

I figure, as long as I keep it clean and change it when it gets worn, there's not a whole lot I need from it. $20? Sounds great.

Hida Yanra

Solid choice, I like them for outdoor & training.

amen

sbs z31

Speaking of chain, do you guys actually use the master link?

queerpunk

Nope.

sbs z31

Cool, I need to replace a couple of cartridge bearings on my rear HED3 TriSpoke and was wondering if it is worth the extra cost for hybrid ceramic bearings or are the Enduro standard(blue) cartridge bearings good enough?

Brian Ratliff

I think ceramic hybrid bearings (ceramic balls with steel races) are a scam. But others have different opinions.

carleton

I agree.

MarkWW

It depends on the chain. Some track chains have riveted pins, in which case absolutely use the master link.

carleton

Yes.

Baby Puke

Seconded. Why wouldn't you?

sbs z31

Well I have had the master link popped off a few times and decided to not use it anymore but I wanted to know if some track cyclists if not all still use the master link.

Baby Puke

I've never had that happen nor have I heard of it happening until now. Though I pretty much only use the crew and nut type. Anybody else?

MarkWW

I think I've seen two fail. I'm pretty sure one was user error and the other was the garbage two-piece master link that comes on a SRAM PC1. It's connected by flexing the chain and popping on an outer plate. The problem is if you flex the chain too much, it bends the link and the outer plate doesn't stay in place.

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