Originally Posted by
Bill Kapaun
His test method is total BS. A cylinder is NOT a flat road.
It's obviously going to favor a more supple tire.
Throw in the diamond pattern and what do you think that would do to a "stiff" tire like a Schwalbe Marathon? compared to the Marathon on a flat surface.
A far more realistic test would be to use a ramp to accelerate a bicycle onto a flat surface.
Once on the flat, measure the velocity at Point A and at a fixed distance, measure the velocity at Point B.
The greater the % of velocity loss, the worse the rolling resistance is.
You'd probably need at least 5 runs to smooth the data.
EDIT Add-Tires would also have to be kept at a somewhat constant temperature.
I've done roll OUT tests. Issues are no wind/very quiet early am's w no traffic. Hence testing is limited. Yet superior to said 'drum'. Under SAME conditions I get high uniformity.
The RR site ... IMO is moving off the original goal.