rhm

I know this will open a can of worms, but let's see what people think....

I'm thinking of setting up one of my folding bikes for some long distance rides like 200 km, 300 km, maybe 400 km brevets.

I've tried a few different 20" tires, Schwalbe Big Apples at the wide extreme, Panaracer Minits Tough at the narrow extreme. The narrow tires feel faster (more vibration) but I'm not convinced they actually roll any faster.

But I know 26" Big Apples are slower than more supple 26" tires such as Compass Rat Trap Pass tires.

So I'm wondering, what's the 20" road tire with the least rolling resistance? Is there any test data? If you've tried a lot of different 20" tires, what's your experience?

kidshibuya

I'd say schwelbe pro one. They are light and fast on my 451 bike and at 406 they are wider which should be faster in most roads.

As you noted narrow isn't fast, it's a myth people believed for a long time, pros who run in ultra smooth roads are even creeping up to 28mm.

Schwinnsta

Look at Primo Comets.

kidshibuya

A joke?

rhm

Thanks for those suggestions!

Schwalbe Pro One, is that tubeless? I've been reluctant to try tubeless tires --I don't carry a compressor with me (I know, Schwalbe website says you don't need a compressor... but I'm wary). Can you run them with an innertube?

In the past I've had really bad luck with Primo Comets, which I think I've tried in three of four different sizes (16 x 1.35, 1 3/8, 26 x 1.25, and I maybe one of the 20" sizes) but I don't remember which version(s) I bought. None of them lasted very long, and I decided to not buy them again.

I'm looking at Maxxis Relix. Can anyone comment on those?

Schwinnsta

Did not mean to put in plus. What don't you like about Primo Comets?

kidshibuya

From what specs I can find they are 1kg for the pair. That's nuts, must be lined with led.

Schwinnsta

Pretty sorry research then. From AmazonItem SpecificationsWeight206gPSI85PSITire BeadSteelISO Diameter349 / 16" recumbentISO Width37mmLabeled Size1-3/8Color Tread/SideBlack/BlackTire TypeClincherTire Diameter16"Tire UseRoadDefined ColorBlack

fietsbob

than a 406 35..

I put 349 Comets on my Bike Friday Tikit.. My LBS got them from a vendor
that has lots of stuff, they need, so quick and pretty cheap .

I get a cost + 10% deal, by helping them in the summer..

Schwalbe shows a 'fast' light 406 tire made for tadpole trikes , ...

try those?





...

BruceMetras

Just weighed a new 26x451 Primo I have here on the shelf .. 260 grams

kidshibuya

You didn't even get the size right. The irony...

Not as bad as the specs from else where then, but still terrible. Schewlbe ones are near half the weight. Plus they are proven race tyres in their larger sizes.

ditty bopper

I'll get back to you soon as I can get these worms back in the can...

Schwinnsta

Hm, you right, Here you go

The Primo Comet Recumbent is a fast rolling, high pressure tire.Item SpecificationsWeight280gPSI100PSITire BeadSteelISO Diameter406 / 20" BMXISO Width37mmLabeled Size1.35Color Tread/SideBlack/BlackTire TypeClincherTire Diameter20"Tire UseRoadDefined ColorBlack

https://www.amazon.com/Primo-Comet-1...omet+20+x+1.35

mirfi

Fastest, can't say.

But, I put Kenda Kwest K193 100psi tires on my Mercier MinVelo, made a world of difference.

Almost broke my teeth struggling to put those bastards on the rims.

I carry steel tire spoons with me now.

pastorbobnlnh 

I just purchased 20 X 1.35 (406mmX35mm) Schwalbe Kojak for what I feel is a very reasonable $13.99 each from Chain Reaction in Great Britain. Not super narrow but not wide either. Most online reviews are positive. (@rhm) Rudi, I might not be able to review them until I head south with my folder sometime in late winter. Snow has struck early and hard here in the NH mountains.

Does anyone have any opinions or experience on the Kojaks?

kidshibuya

Thing is that schwallbe themselves will tell you the ones are faster, and the topic is "fastest". Do you think schwallbe are lying? Bet it gets better because on the very site you linked to:
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/.../rp-prod170652

Schwallbe have provided a graph with watt costs, with the Kojacks so far down the product tree they aren't even on it.

pastorbobnlnh 

...or they are so far up the product tree--- they are too fast to list in that meaningless graph.

I know that Rudi asked about "fastest" but I just added the Kojak as a tire possibility at an exceptionally good price (most websites had it listed in the $40 range). I take it you have neither a personal opinion nor experience with Schwalbe Kojak tires? You don't offer anything except a stab at Schwalbe for some reason.

I've only ever owned and ridden one 20" 406mm tire and it was branded "Dahon" (but it looks like a Panaracer to me). I can comment on them but as to whether or not they are "fast" I have no clue--- nor opinion.

kidshibuya

I only have experience with:
406 kenda (over 30mm i think) (dont know which ones exactly) -> slow and heavy
406 durano 28mm -> feel great but are on the heavy side
406 panaracer minits lite (32mm so says the box... its nowhere near that in real, like 24mm) -> fast but low grip, bumpy
451 one 25mm -> little less shock absorption than the durano but lighter and higher grip

My perfect tyre would be the one 451 in 30mm width or at least 28. As long as your tyres aren't overly heavy and are over say 25mm then you are golden I think, its hard to feel a difference in deflection between compounds and builds vs the road surface. But there are many tests out there of the schwellbe one in 700cc and its one of the best tyres, this is the same construction all the way down to 406. So you can go with a tried and importantly TESTED fast tyre of take a wild guess at others.