Does anyone write things on their tires
#1
Bike Dealer since 1972
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern North Carolina
Posts: 288
Bikes: Some of the bikes I've collected: Raleighs ( about 20), Trek ( oldest 1978 770 Columbus tubes), Mercian, Condor, Bob Jackson, Falcon, Holdsworth, Jacques Anquetil, Bianchi, LeMond, Cannondale, Schwinn, Iver Johnson, Dunelt
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 71 Times
in
29 Posts
Does anyone write things on their tires
From Joe Parkin's book A Dog in a Hat: An American Bike Racer's Story of Mud, Drugs, Blood, Betrayal, and Beauty in Belgium
"I had just come off a ride up Mount Diablo with my training partner and tour guide, Carlos. We stopped by the Pedaler to see who might be hanging out there for Carlos to talk to. As we rolled up to the shop, I saw a Basso bicycle leaning against the row of old movie-theater seats by the front door. It was a faded blue and bore the scratches of hard use. There was a sticker on it that indicated something Swiss, making it look even more formidable. Then I saw the tires. At first glance they looked like any other set of well-worn road tires, with the little black streaks all around that indicated they’d probably seen a rain shower or two. But as I got closer I noticed that there was actually writing on the sidewalls as well. The writing was hard to read; it seemed to have been written with a black ballpoint pen. But after a minute or so, I figured it out: “I was born in a crossfire hurricane. I was raised by a toothless biddy hag. . . .” The Rolling Stones lyrics continued. Before I could get to the next song, Bob had come out of the shop and was telling me I should trade my bike for his. “There’s pain and suffering in this bike,” he said. “I need to have yours. It’s brand new. You should give it to me.” At this point, my tour guide, Carlos, interrupted. “They call him Lobotomy Bob,” he said. “His name is Bob Roll, and he’s been racing in Europe."
"I had just come off a ride up Mount Diablo with my training partner and tour guide, Carlos. We stopped by the Pedaler to see who might be hanging out there for Carlos to talk to. As we rolled up to the shop, I saw a Basso bicycle leaning against the row of old movie-theater seats by the front door. It was a faded blue and bore the scratches of hard use. There was a sticker on it that indicated something Swiss, making it look even more formidable. Then I saw the tires. At first glance they looked like any other set of well-worn road tires, with the little black streaks all around that indicated they’d probably seen a rain shower or two. But as I got closer I noticed that there was actually writing on the sidewalls as well. The writing was hard to read; it seemed to have been written with a black ballpoint pen. But after a minute or so, I figured it out: “I was born in a crossfire hurricane. I was raised by a toothless biddy hag. . . .” The Rolling Stones lyrics continued. Before I could get to the next song, Bob had come out of the shop and was telling me I should trade my bike for his. “There’s pain and suffering in this bike,” he said. “I need to have yours. It’s brand new. You should give it to me.” At this point, my tour guide, Carlos, interrupted. “They call him Lobotomy Bob,” he said. “His name is Bob Roll, and he’s been racing in Europe."
Likes For GMS:
#2
52psi
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 4,015
Bikes: Schwinn Volare ('78); Raleigh Competition GS ('79)
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 790 Post(s)
Liked 802 Times
in
391 Posts
This is a thing I have not done. And after my post in the "Does Anyone Sing...?" thread, I appreciate your showing me that there are still some miles left in my descent into madness.
(Totally gonna check out that book.)
(Totally gonna check out that book.)
__________________
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
#3
incazzare.
I always mean to write the ideal pressure on the sidewall, near the valve, because I have so many bikes with so many different tire sizes that I usually can't remember what I liked the tire pressure at.
But then I always forget to do that, too, so...
But then I always forget to do that, too, so...
__________________
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,053
Mentioned: 201 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3015 Post(s)
Liked 3,792 Times
in
1,406 Posts
A Bobke story is always a good story.
Likes For iab:
#5
Bike Dealer since 1972
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern North Carolina
Posts: 288
Bikes: Some of the bikes I've collected: Raleighs ( about 20), Trek ( oldest 1978 770 Columbus tubes), Mercian, Condor, Bob Jackson, Falcon, Holdsworth, Jacques Anquetil, Bianchi, LeMond, Cannondale, Schwinn, Iver Johnson, Dunelt
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 71 Times
in
29 Posts
I ride tubeless and write date/miles when adding sealant. I started last year after reading Joe's book. Blue Sharpie on blackwall and only I know its there,
#6
Senior Member
Racers used to often write their names on their tires, to keep track of whose wheels were whose.
Nice Bob Roll story.
Nice Bob Roll story.
Likes For Salamandrine:
#7
seńor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,620
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3880 Post(s)
Liked 6,468 Times
in
3,200 Posts
Likes For SurferRosa:
#8
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,002
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4337 Post(s)
Liked 2,980 Times
in
1,617 Posts
Yeah, the spare wheel pit at the criterium courses always had names written on the tires. Back when most tires were gum walls.
If I have a bunch of tubulars in reserve of the same type, I'll give them an equipment ID so I can keep track of when I installed them, when I bought them, when I switched them from primary to spare status, etc.
I put the PSI value on my commute tires because I never remember and it's hard to find the label on those particular tires.
Last edited by DiabloScott; 09-20-20 at 11:24 AM.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 3,417
Bikes: 1984 Miyata 310, 1986 Schwinn Sierra, 2011 Jamis Quest, 1980 Peugeot TH8 Tandem, 1992 Performance Parabola, 1987 Ross Mt. Hood, 1988 Schwinn LeTour, 1988 Trek 400T, 1981 Fuji S12-S LTD, 197? FW Evans
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 529 Post(s)
Liked 1,001 Times
in
513 Posts
When I used to autocross, I heard about some people who would write a number near the tire valve as if it were a tire pressure. The idea was that a competitor might see it and think you had let slip the secret to your fast times. Reality was it was just a random number and if someone used it as their tire pressure, they would probably be slower. I could see this happening at a gravel race, with everyone experimenting with wider tires and lower pressures.
#10
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
Bobke is the John Madden of cycling. Throughout the TdF coverage Phil Liggett kept trying to needle Bob for his enthusiastic, sometimes blustering style, but for Bobke it's just water off a duck's back.
Now I'm tempted to grab some Sharpies and do some scroll work on my Conti GP Classic reddish/brown skinwalls. Just because.
Now I'm tempted to grab some Sharpies and do some scroll work on my Conti GP Classic reddish/brown skinwalls. Just because.
#11
So it goes.
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: W. Tennessee
Posts: 965
Bikes: A few. Quite a few.
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 432 Post(s)
Liked 639 Times
in
261 Posts
I always use a Sharpie to write the inflation pressure on the rear tire NDS side at the valve. I have enough bikes with enough variation that this is a necessity. But that's pretty much it.
#13
Senior Member
An arrow with direction and F or R on the left side of the tire. I try to mount the tire with the arrow at the stem. The markings are subtle but visible. Sure directional tires already have an arrow somewhere and most times it's obvious by the tread design but I've missed that or had a hard time finding that in the dark fixing a flat. My markings take seconds to find and reference.
#14
Super Modest
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 23,466
Bikes: Trek Emonda, Giant Propel, Colnago V3, Co-Motion Supremo, ICE VTX WC
Mentioned: 107 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10963 Post(s)
Liked 4,619 Times
in
2,123 Posts
When I was racing, many years ago, I would write the date of installation on the sidewall, mainly my tubulars. I had several sets of wheels and tires and did to keep track of when they were glued and also because I happen to be a little OCD.
__________________
Keep the chain tight!
Likes For RobbieTunes:
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,154
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2363 Post(s)
Liked 1,749 Times
in
1,191 Posts
But it's alright, now......
Likes For madpogue:
#17
Bike Dealer since 1972
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Eastern North Carolina
Posts: 288
Bikes: Some of the bikes I've collected: Raleighs ( about 20), Trek ( oldest 1978 770 Columbus tubes), Mercian, Condor, Bob Jackson, Falcon, Holdsworth, Jacques Anquetil, Bianchi, LeMond, Cannondale, Schwinn, Iver Johnson, Dunelt
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 71 Times
in
29 Posts
Thanks Rob. BP is closed but I am still having lots of fun with bikes.
Likes For rosefarts:
#20
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
I don't write on bike tires, but I will mark the position of my car tires so I know where to put them when I swap winter/summer tires.
Likes For ThermionicScott:
#21
Port
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Boston
Posts: 6,648
Bikes: 2022 Soma Fog Cutter, 2021 Calfee Draqonfly 44, 1984 Peter Mooney, 2017 Soma Stanyan, 1990 Fuji Ace, 1990 Bridgestone RB-1, 1995 Independent Fabrications Track, 2003 Calfee Dragonfly Pro
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 983 Post(s)
Liked 1,854 Times
in
1,057 Posts
Loved "Dog in a Hat". And the Bobke story is one of the best.
__________________
https://rowdml.tripod.com/panmass
https://rowdml.tripod.com/panmass
#22
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Arizona
Posts: 364
Bikes: Many!
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 186 Post(s)
Liked 206 Times
in
124 Posts
In the Single Speed/Fixed Gear world I often see riders write lyrics or quotes on the side of their rims and tyres. Nearly the same effect as having 100 stickers covering your bike or a card/tennis ball in the spokes.
#23
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,154
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2363 Post(s)
Liked 1,749 Times
in
1,191 Posts
^^^^ That's 406.1g with the weight of the ink.
Likes For madpogue:
#25
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts