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Anyone change out perfectly good tyres just to try a new set?

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Anyone change out perfectly good tyres just to try a new set?

Old 08-25-20, 10:24 PM
  #1  
NoWhammies
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Anyone change out perfectly good tyres just to try a new set?

Based on some feedback here on the forums, I ordered a pair of Veloflex tubeless tyres. They arrived a couple of weeks back, and every time I go to take my bike out of the garage, the new tyres are there. Tempting me to give them a spin.

Trouble is, the tyres on my bike right now are perfectly fine (watch, now I've cursed myself ). Anyway. For whatever reason I can't bring myself to swap out the current tyres on my bike just to give the new tyres a go. Doesn't seem right for some reason.

Anyone else have this kind of conundrum? Cheers.
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Old 08-25-20, 10:31 PM
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If the chamois/socks/jersey you’re wearing everyday are good, why change them? Spend the time to swap them out. Live a little. Explore your hobby, delve into pneumatic bliss. Or just go for a bike ride and wave at people wearing bibs, half shorts, long socks, no socks, leather saddles, 3D printed seats, carbon bikes, steel forks, rim brakes, no tail lights, cargo racks...
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Old 08-25-20, 10:38 PM
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Maybe the old tires could be used in the winter, and the new veloflexes during the summer?
Or maybe, try to wear out the old ones, by riding hard through the worst roads, chewing them up until they die. Then switch to pristine tarmac for the new velos...
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Old 08-25-20, 10:39 PM
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Another recent poster asked the same question in slightly different terms. He was considering buying a different bike while his present bike was still serviceable.

It's a left brain/ right brain question:

A pure left brain thinker sees his bicycle as a tool. He's going to keep his present tires until he has worn them out.
A pure right brain thinker will replace the tires immediately so that he can immediately begin to enjoy whatever advantage he thinks they will provide.

Everybody draws the line between those two thought processes differently. Have fun figuring out which better describes you.
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Old 08-25-20, 11:04 PM
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^^^ at least that’s how Phineas gauged it.
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Old 08-25-20, 11:25 PM
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hell NO.
now, ship them to me.
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Old 08-25-20, 11:30 PM
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Sure. Occasionally I'll swap tires and tubes the same day, same bike, and ride the same route, just for a reasonably fair impression of both.

In fact, I did that yesterday. Got a new-to-me wheelset for my old steel road bike. I've been borrowing a wheelset for a friend and need to return them soon. The borrowed set has 700x25 Continental Grand Prix Classic skinwalls with latex tubes -- subjectively the nicest riding combo I've tried on chipeal and rough roads. Been riding 'em for almost two months.

The new/used wheelset is nearly identical -- semi-aero Araya rims, comparable loose bearing cup & cone hubs -- so the hardware shouldn't make much difference. Instead of swapping over the Conti GP Classics and latex tubes, I put on a set of 700x23 Conti Ultra Sport II and fairly lightweight Bontrager tubes.

Yup, riding the familiar route confirmed my impression. The somewhat bigger Conti tires and latex tubes really help.

But the cheaper, skinnier Conti tires and butyl tubes really weren't bad. Just a bit harsher on some pavement. No real difference in grip, overall handling. Mostly just a comfort thing.

Which reminded me why the cheap Conti Ultra Sport II are such a great value at around $15-$20 each. But the GP Classics look nicer and ride just a tiny bit better on chipseal and rough stuff.

A couple of weeks ago I did the same thing with my favorite hybrid. I usually use Continental Speed Rides (nominally 700x42, actually closer to 700x38). Great inexpensive tires. But I had a puncture and slow leak overnight (first in two years on that bike), so I figured it'd be a good opportunity to try a pair of Conti Sport Contact II in 700x32 I got a year or so ago to fit a set of Bluemel fenders that were too narrow for the SpeedRides. I rode the Sport Contact II briefly when I first got them and seemed to recall that I didn't like them. But this time they seem fine. The difference might be the wheelsets. I replaced an older set of wheels with wider rims around 622x19 or so with narrower 622x14. The Conti SpeedRides are really too wide for such narrow rims and lose some handling on fast curves and bumpy roads -- they feel a bit jouncy and squishy, kinda imprecise. But the narrower, firmer Sport Contact II felt fine on the narrower rims.
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Old 08-25-20, 11:47 PM
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yeah, i've done it once or twice. i've eventually gotten around to remounting the older tires on a bike (4 to choose from) when necessary. generally tho, no.
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Old 08-25-20, 11:54 PM
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I bought some heavy duty tires for winter and swapped them when some events happened. Write how many miles they have on them on the sidewall and put them aside.
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Old 08-26-20, 12:28 AM
  #10  
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If you think they might increase your riding pleasure, go for it. Maybe wait for a rainy day.
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Old 08-26-20, 01:30 AM
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The mental anguish of knowing that you have those tires just sitting there is probably more costly than the effort it takes to swap tires. The tires won't get ruined if you take them off. Just be sure not to make this a habit. Or else you'll end up with a stockpile of barely used tires. Sounds familiar...
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Old 08-26-20, 02:05 AM
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I bought a touring bike in 2014; it came with Continental "Town and Country" tires. I went ahead and got a set of Schwalbe Marathons, put them on immediately. They survived the death of that bike in a car crash, and I put them on the replacement bike. 5000 (probably a lot more) miles later, I'm still trying to wear them out. The Continental tires are waiting for their opportunity to serve.
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Old 08-26-20, 05:28 AM
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When I buy a set of tires that I want to try out sooner than waiting for the in-use tires to give reason to take them off, I end up buying a new complete wheel set very soon after the tires are shipped in. Now I have three complete wheel sets. Could go a different way, I could have three additional bicycles....
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Old 08-26-20, 06:51 AM
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I do it all the time just because I like riding on the best tires.

Sometimes, a tire can be defective. It doesn't happen often, but it happened to this BF poster and has happened to me twice. In this case it's better to find out sooner when you are still able to return it.
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Old 08-26-20, 07:51 AM
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Originally Posted by NoWhammies
Based on some feedback here on the forums, I ordered a pair of Veloflex tubeless tyres. They arrived a couple of weeks back, and every time I go to take my bike out of the garage, the new tyres are there. Tempting me to give them a spin.

Trouble is, the tyres on my bike right now are perfectly fine (watch, now I've cursed myself ). Anyway. For whatever reason I can't bring myself to swap out the current tyres on my bike just to give the new tyres a go. Doesn't seem right for some reason.

Anyone else have this kind of conundrum? Cheers.
I bought the Velo Evos in clincher in the Spring, 25's in black and fell in love with them. I wore them down about 50% and decided I needed good back up tires so I took them off and put on Vittoria's that a friend gave me. I do like the Vittoria's but they are no where near as snappy and agile as the Velo's. I do miss the way they ride and handle. In my case I had no back-ups.
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Old 08-26-20, 08:00 AM
  #16  
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@AlmostTrick's point about defective tires is a pretty good reason to try them out. Nevertheless, despite having experienced that a couple times, I'm too lazy to replace tires that are still good. Heck, half the time it's too much trouble to rotate front to back when I wear out a rear tire.

OP, you obviously need a couple more posts about how your current tires are wearing like iron after N miles, you haven't had a flat, the sidewalls aren't cracking, etc. Make the jinx work for you!
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Old 08-26-20, 08:10 AM
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Sounds to me like you need to buy a new wheel set/cassette to go with those new tires just to make it simple and not have to go through the bother of changing tires.
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Old 08-26-20, 08:51 AM
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I find it more common on mountain bikes. I’ve done it. Ride a tire and it falls out of favor, swap it out for one that works better.

John
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Old 08-26-20, 09:00 AM
  #19  
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I bought a bike used, still with OEM fitted Continental travel contact tires.. tread designed for trekking , touring on paved and dirt roads..

tread design smooth band down center for pavement, a row of knobs on the edges ,
got so many critics, repeatedly telling me my knobby tires need replacing.. worn down smooth in the center..

I changed to Schwalbe Marathons. Continental model still made, a good tire for the ride anywhere cycletourist..




..
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Old 08-26-20, 09:09 AM
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I've done it a few times when I didn't care for the tires that were on there. The old ones end up in the garage and I use them when I have a blowout or something
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Old 08-26-20, 09:17 AM
  #21  
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I try to only buy new tires when the old ones are worn or otherwise need replacement. This keeps costs down and encourages me to ride more, if only to wear out tires I don't like... or am 'tired' of.

Ironically, I find the tired which are the most pleasurable to ride are lighter and don't last as long. The heavy, thick and slow tires that I like less last much longer.

My current Specialized 'Blackbelt' tires have lasted for about 5000 km and 2,5 years. I can't wait to get these slugs off my wheels. They replaced a set of Panaracer Paselas (the ones without flat protective layers, TG or PT) which made the bike feel lighter and faster, but got too many punctures and needed replacement after about 2000 km.
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Old 08-26-20, 10:11 PM
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Great/interesting replies. So far my new tyres are still in the box, on the shelf. I haven't broken them out yet. Still running the existing tyres. I'll inspect them on the weekend. Perhaps it's time for a change.
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Old 08-27-20, 01:55 AM
  #23  
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Yes.

My wife tore hers so I had to get one anyway, got 3 in the end to try them myself. This were Conti 5000s in 28mm, from 25mm Conti 4ks. Obviously I cannot isolate if it is the different tire or the larger size, but it was worth it. More comfortable ride and seemingly more grip in the corners.
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Old 08-28-20, 06:33 AM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by NoWhammies
Based on some feedback here on the forums, I ordered a pair of Veloflex tubeless tyres. They arrived a couple of weeks back, and every time I go to take my bike out of the garage, the new tyres are there. Tempting me to give them a spin.

Trouble is, the tyres on my bike right now are perfectly fine (watch, now I've cursed myself ). Anyway. For whatever reason I can't bring myself to swap out the current tyres on my bike just to give the new tyres a go. Doesn't seem right for some reason.

Anyone else have this kind of conundrum? Cheers.
Well what's the plan?
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Old 08-28-20, 10:05 PM
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Why, of course!

I keep track of mileage on my components, including tires. Last time I wanted to try new tires, I removed the old ones and folded them up with a little note about how many miles they have. Someday, I'm going to blow out a tire and be happy that my old ones, with only 1,100 miles, are safely stored in a box.
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