Throwing Good Money After Bad? New Wheelset for Light Touring
#26
Senior Member
Thank you all for the very thoughtful responses. I got a deal this summer on some 700x28 Continental Ultra Sport IIIs and they have made a huge difference over the stock tires. I'll save the money for maintenance and touring trips next spring. I think I've got the comfort fairly well dialed in. I'll keep after training during the winter months, as well.
Regarding the comments on reducing wind resistance, how much do you focus on clothing wind resistance when touring or randonneuring? My clothing choices are admittedly not terribly aero, usually athletic fit t-shirts.
PS: Those dynamo-hub wheels are awesome! As are the pictures of the Volpes fully loaded for touring!
Regarding the comments on reducing wind resistance, how much do you focus on clothing wind resistance when touring or randonneuring? My clothing choices are admittedly not terribly aero, usually athletic fit t-shirts.
PS: Those dynamo-hub wheels are awesome! As are the pictures of the Volpes fully loaded for touring!
But let's be realistic, you want a jersey to be comfortable and how you are wearing tighter stuff is personal, I'm a skinny guy so it's fine, others not. How fast do you and your wife really ride comfortably?
For me, a quality comfy tire that rolls well but also has good flat protection is better than heavy super tough tires, also better than super light super thin racing tires that can get flats much easier. How careful are you of watching for road debris for example? I know riders who ride right through piles of glass shards and don't even notice them.
Reducing your credit card weight and volume to me is the big improvement, less weight and volume (air resistance) is always going to be a bit easier with each small and not so small climb, and with every headwind .
All these details add up, it's really up to you two to decide what is worth doing.
And yes, the more kilometers you put into your legs is a huge factor here, there's no magic solution, you gotta put in the hours in the seat to get stronger.
#27
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Doug, may I ask what the chainring set is on that bike ? Your smaller ring doesn't seem to be that small. You must be or have been a very strong rider to make it across the country with that low gear. Well done !
#28
Senior Member
I can't say that they will, or, won't be worth it, but I know how you can find out if they are. You have two bikes, yours and your wife's, make any of the changes, tires, wheels, what ever to one of the bikes. Go out for a ride, at the top of a hill adjust your speed so you are going the same, side by side. Maintain the same position, etc. and you will see which bike is faster. If you keep one of ht bikes the same, you can evaluate a series of changes to the other to see if they help.
Personally, working on your endurance so you can comfortably spend an extra hour in the saddle might be more practical. Being comfortable for 5 hours instead of 4 is like riding 25% faster for those 4 hours. Tours are very much about the journey rather than the destination. My $0.02.
Personally, working on your endurance so you can comfortably spend an extra hour in the saddle might be more practical. Being comfortable for 5 hours instead of 4 is like riding 25% faster for those 4 hours. Tours are very much about the journey rather than the destination. My $0.02.
#29
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Have you actually weighed the stock wheelset? I've found cheap(ish) aftermarket wheelsets are sometimes barely any lighter than the alex rim/shimano hub combos that come stock on many bikes. Also, some may disagree, but radial laced wheels are never as comfortable as the usual 3x. As mentioned by others already try some nice tyres, will 33s fit?, https://ultradynamico.com/products/cava-race .
#30
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No personal experience. They are made by Panaracer. There are other similar options available but I just linked a less well known brand. I didn't see your post before about buying the ultrasports, they are decent tires for the price. Still, if you can go wider, why not?.
#32
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I'm not sure the lower gears would have helped on this stretch of road. Luckily, there were only 4 hills like this, right in a row. The first one we rode up. The second we almost rode up, The the third we rode up less of it; and on on the fourth I pulled over not far from the bottom, and changed into my running (walking) shoes.
Last edited by Doug64; 11-19-21 at 11:35 AM.
#34
Senior Member
Trekcommuter, check out this article about wider tires and speed. (Wider supple tires that is)
https://www.renehersecycles.com/12-myths-in-cycling-1-wider-tires-are-slower/
my personal experience confirms the findings in this article. I've down informal roll down tests with a friend while riding.
me at 135lbs on 50mm Supremes (45 on my rims) on 26 inch wheels
him at 200lbs on 32mm stiff continental touring tires, 700 wheels
and we have equal or even me faster a bit roll down experiences
even with slight factors probably there like his hubs being cheap, improperly adjusted stuff, it's still a good example.
and I know my bike is more comfortable and faster over any rough roads also.
I know you won't believe it until you directly try and compare wider, nice rolling tires, but it is true.
As said in article, more comfort also equals less rider getting beat up equals more energy at end of day.
https://www.renehersecycles.com/12-myths-in-cycling-1-wider-tires-are-slower/
my personal experience confirms the findings in this article. I've down informal roll down tests with a friend while riding.
me at 135lbs on 50mm Supremes (45 on my rims) on 26 inch wheels
him at 200lbs on 32mm stiff continental touring tires, 700 wheels
and we have equal or even me faster a bit roll down experiences
even with slight factors probably there like his hubs being cheap, improperly adjusted stuff, it's still a good example.
and I know my bike is more comfortable and faster over any rough roads also.
I know you won't believe it until you directly try and compare wider, nice rolling tires, but it is true.
As said in article, more comfort also equals less rider getting beat up equals more energy at end of day.