The Look: Skinwall v. Blackwall
12-31-18, 12:26 PM
#52
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I think most classic bikes look more "right" with skinwalls because that is what they would have had originally. Modern road bikes look anachronistic with skinwalls except for cyclocross bikes which look more right with skinwalls because they look like the tubular tires on race bikes,
12-31-18, 12:37 PM
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Gummies all the way for everything ever. I don't even care if it's a super aero track bike, I'm putting gumwalls on it. That said, I do have all black Conti ultra sports on my polo bike, but that's only cause they were cheap, in stock and I don't care about aesthetics on that bike.
I'll post pics of my touring bike once I'm up to ten posts on here.
I'll post pics of my touring bike once I'm up to ten posts on here.
12-31-18, 12:51 PM
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Until last night I'd only ever seen my Volare with full-black tires; I was surprised how much skinwalls change the overall look of the bike:
My wife thinks it looks lighter, as in weighs less, with the skinwalls (I can almost see that and I suppose it actually does, by a negligible amount). And the black to me looks faster, or maybe more serious about going faster.
Pure subjective silliness, that, but the bike does look quite different and I'm almost second-guessing the white tape now. We'll give that some time. But I'm sure there are other shots out there of the same bike with both skinwalls and blackwalls... let's do some compare and contrast.
My wife thinks it looks lighter, as in weighs less, with the skinwalls (I can almost see that and I suppose it actually does, by a negligible amount). And the black to me looks faster, or maybe more serious about going faster.
Pure subjective silliness, that, but the bike does look quite different and I'm almost second-guessing the white tape now. We'll give that some time. But I'm sure there are other shots out there of the same bike with both skinwalls and blackwalls... let's do some compare and contrast.
On a personal note, it's nice to see another rider that still uses clips and straps...
12-31-18, 01:42 PM
#55
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Until last night I'd only ever seen my Volare with full-black tires; I was surprised how much skinwalls change the overall look of the bike:
My wife thinks it looks lighter, as in weighs less, with the skinwalls (I can almost see that and I suppose it actually does, by a negligible amount). And the black to me looks faster, or maybe more serious about going faster.
Pure subjective silliness, that, but the bike does look quite different and I'm almost second-guessing the white tape now. We'll give that some time. But I'm sure there are other shots out there of the same bike with both skinwalls and blackwalls... let's do some compare and contrast.
My wife thinks it looks lighter, as in weighs less, with the skinwalls (I can almost see that and I suppose it actually does, by a negligible amount). And the black to me looks faster, or maybe more serious about going faster.
Pure subjective silliness, that, but the bike does look quite different and I'm almost second-guessing the white tape now. We'll give that some time. But I'm sure there are other shots out there of the same bike with both skinwalls and blackwalls... let's do some compare and contrast.
* good
** not good
12-31-18, 04:19 PM
#56
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I'm sure I'll come up with something. Eventually. Dang it. 
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
12-31-18, 04:55 PM
#57
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I guess I'm showing my age, but all black sidewalls remind me too much of the nasty, thick, heavy K-mart tires BITD. The best tires had thin, supple, tan colored sidewalls.
I know modern tires shouldn't be characterized in this way, but it's still the first thing I think when I see a bike with all-black sidewall tires.
I know modern tires shouldn't be characterized in this way, but it's still the first thing I think when I see a bike with all-black sidewall tires.
01-01-19, 12:47 AM
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Yeah, I think this about sums it up. Turns out Compass does make this tire in full black... I just don't want to plunk down the price of admission for another set. I'm sure I'll come up with something. Eventually. Dang it.
You'll see more than a few bikes running clips and straps here in the C&V.
I'm sure I'll come up with something. Eventually. Dang it.You'll see more than a few bikes running clips and straps here in the C&V.
I can't use clipless pedals, I wear a size 15, and so far, I haven't found anyone that makes a cleat in a 15 (not only that, but I like using clips and straps on my vintage bike).
Then, there's the problem I have with turning my left ankle the right way to release the pedal (my left fibula was shattered back in '85, so I have nerve damage as well as muscular weakness), which is the main reason I ride for exercise.
01-01-19, 04:54 AM
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I guess I'm showing my age, but all black sidewalls remind me too much of the nasty, thick, heavy K-mart tires BITD. The best tires had thin, supple, tan colored sidewalls.
I know modern tires shouldn't be characterized in this way, but it's still the first thing I think when I see a bike with all-black sidewall tires.
I know modern tires shouldn't be characterized in this way, but it's still the first thing I think when I see a bike with all-black sidewall tires.
01-03-19, 11:15 PM
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I prefer gumwall tan on my Italvegas, partly because I’m running 35’s and 32’s for Eroica California and I like the way they look.. Here’s my brown ‘72 Italvega Super Speciale as configured for Eroica 2017, 2018, and 2019. Running Compass Bon Jon Pass Extralights in 700C x 35. Had about 1500 miles on it before the first flat in early 2018. Currently on a second set with 800 miles so far. If you look closely you can see the extended long cage I put on my NR rear derailleur for ‘18 and ‘19.
the other Blue and Brown bikes were setup for Display at the Concours so also had gumwalls.
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01-04-19, 10:53 AM
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Seeing the thread title, I came in thinking, "skinwall always looks better". Then I saw the OP's first picture and realized there are rare exceptions.
How a tire rides is my #1 criteria, and good tanwall (if not skinwall), tires seem to have ride characteristics that don't disappoint.
How a tire rides is my #1 criteria, and good tanwall (if not skinwall), tires seem to have ride characteristics that don't disappoint.
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01-04-19, 12:14 PM
#62
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I guess I'm showing my age, but all black sidewalls remind me too much of the nasty, thick, heavy K-mart tires BITD. The best tires had thin, supple, tan colored sidewalls.
I know modern tires shouldn't be characterized in this way, but it's still the first thing I think when I see a bike with all-black sidewall tires.
I know modern tires shouldn't be characterized in this way, but it's still the first thing I think when I see a bike with all-black sidewall tires.
Yeah, BITD only cheap heavy utility tires were all black. Every serious cycling enthusiast associated them with cheap bikes. Performance bikes always had skinwall tires -- no exceptions. Therefore, if the goal is to restore a vintage bike to a period correct look, skinwalls are the only option.That being so, I have to say that modern blackwalls have grown on me. I don't really miss the dirty stained sidewalls that skinwalls inevitably get after the first couple rides. The extra UV protection doesn't hurt either.
BITD skinwalls were used because of the way sew ups were made. The casings were fabric with a thin coating of liquid latex. The black rubber treads were glued on separately. They needed to be black because the tread rubber had carbon in it for long wear. The sidewalls did not need this. When lightweight clinchers came out, they were constructed similarly and had therefore had the same skinwall look. Nowadays it seems that most tires are constructed in full sized injection molds, and to make the sides a different color is a fashion choice rather than an artifact of their construction method.
01-04-19, 12:39 PM
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Tan:
vs Black:
I'm pretty sure that I actually prefer the black-wall tires on this particular bike. I don't know, it goes back and forth.
Anything painted I exclusively prefer skinwall tires, though. Especially lighter colored frames. Baby blue with skinwall tires is probably my favorite color combination.
vs Black:
I'm pretty sure that I actually prefer the black-wall tires on this particular bike. I don't know, it goes back and forth.
Anything painted I exclusively prefer skinwall tires, though. Especially lighter colored frames. Baby blue with skinwall tires is probably my favorite color combination.
01-04-19, 12:51 PM
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01-04-19, 01:18 PM
#65
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Yep. +1 Dark brown is nice too. Continental bike tires have had the brown sidewalls since at least the early 80s, when they were first becoming available in the US. It was always their trademark. They may go back to the 70s in Europe. I don't know. Anyone? At any rate they actually are period correct on 80s bikes, if anyone cares. I was certainly using Conti tires back then, because they were durable and lasted a long time. They used to make a sales pitch about their synthetic casing fabric, which was somewhat unusual at the time.
01-04-19, 01:48 PM
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Yep. +1 Dark brown is nice too. Continental bike tires have had the brown sidewalls since at least the early 80s, when they were first becoming available in the US. It was always their trademark. They may go back to the 70s in Europe. I don't know. Anyone? At any rate they actually are period correct on 80s bikes, if anyone cares. I was certainly using Conti tires back then, because they were durable and lasted a long time. They used to make a sales pitch about their synthetic casing fabric, which was somewhat unusual at the time.
I find them a bit to dark to the point that they sometimes look like black walls when they get dirty.....
Conti does still have lighter colored sidewalls for their tubular tires though.....
01-04-19, 02:01 PM
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I agree, the Continental coca-cola sidewalls do look black when dirty. Conversely the skin or gum wall tires look dirty when they get dirty.
Tim
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01-04-19, 02:31 PM
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Funny thing is, what gets skin walls dirty the most is not really mud or dirt, but the carbon black coming from tire dust on the streets and from your black brake pads.....and the latex on the sidewalls just really drinks it up!
01-04-19, 09:04 PM
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@abshipp HA! Totally thought I was looking at two different bikes due to the different colors reflected in the chrome.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
01-04-19, 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by cudak8888
... the moral of this story is ...
01-05-19, 08:27 AM
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Skinwalls defintely fit the bill on some bikes. At least they do on these two in my opinion.
On the other hand sometimes black is just the obvious choice.
On the other hand sometimes black is just the obvious choice.
01-05-19, 10:25 AM
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That bike does look good in black. My black Bianchi, equipped with lights and a generator hub for dark-time commuting, looks good with Gatorskins which are dark brown. Otherwise, gumwall or skinwall or road-dirtied yellow that looks more or less like gum/skinwall.
Ever worn black running shoes? They feel heavier than the same model shoe in white. Black shoes just add weight.
Ever worn black running shoes? They feel heavier than the same model shoe in white. Black shoes just add weight.
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01-05-19, 05:50 PM
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I freaking love this Fuji, and I've now got a new target when it comes to brake cable lines. 
Continental GP Classics are definitely a favorite tire of mine. Both the look and the ride.
Continental GP Classics are definitely a favorite tire of mine. Both the look and the ride.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
01-06-19, 06:41 PM
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I guess I'm showing my age, but all black sidewalls remind me too much of the nasty, thick, heavy K-mart tires BITD. The best tires had thin, supple, tan colored sidewalls.
I know modern tires shouldn't be characterized in this way, but it's still the first thing I think when I see a bike with all-black sidewall tires.
I know modern tires shouldn't be characterized in this way, but it's still the first thing I think when I see a bike with all-black sidewall tires.