goatalope

By going with fancier tubes and upgrading to Continental 4000s tires I could save 50-60g on each wheel but still maintain some degree of reliability. Worth it? Would I notice 50g or am I just getting obsessive? By the way, I have decent SRAM S30 Sprint wheels...about 1600g.

MegaTom

I'm sure you'll notice while it's hanging on the scale.

cplager

Some tubes may reduce rolling resistance. That you might noticed. 50g, that 0.05 kg, or 2 ounces. Assuming you're light and you and the bike weigh 110 lbs/50 kg, you will be saving 1/1000 of your weight.

No, you'll never notice that. On your bike, I don't think you'll find a scale that can measure the difference...

kenji666

Leave the cap off your valve stems.

WhyFi

25 watt savings, at least.

WhyFi

Seriously - there are a number of reasons to pop for some good tires, but saving 50g wouldn't be high on the list. If you do save those grams, it's a nice bonus.

StanSeven

Do a search and you'll find tires with less rolling resistance than others. You might notice saving a few watts but not the weight. Also some people use light weight latex tubes not for weight savings, even though they are lighter, but for less resistance. Latex is more supple and allows the tires to conform to the road surface better. The down side is latex costs a lot more and loses air quicker so you have to add air every day

mprelaw

I get the idea that most Americans have no conception of the metric system.

ThermionicScott 

+1. He'll notice as long as he doesn't bother converting that 50g to pounds.

bianchi10

1). I was hard against Conti tires because they failed me several times. Found other tires to use that were cheaper but more durable for my riding even though others loved them. 3 years later I found myself loving them after going through an extensive wheel testing process, all of which were using the same conti 4000S tire. I'm not using them on the wheels I purchased. I'm now a believer. They are a great durable tire.

2). If you are a starting weight weenie and looking for a way to take off some grams, new tubes and tires can be a good option and to be honest if your going to lose grams anywhere on the bike, the rolling weight is the place to do it. If you are looking for an upgrade in tires and also wanting to lose weight, the Conti 4000S tires would be a good choice that also keeps durability.

Vaio_s

When I switch from my training tires to race tires (on the same wheelset), I'm saving 100g PER tire. But that's not what I notice. I notice the handling. Cornering on expensive tires is a LOT better, and that's the reason why I purchase race tires. Bike weight is overhyped in road cycling.

nastystang

Ride quality should be alot better dependig on what you have now. I am currently riding Vittoria Corsa Evo CXII's with latex tubes. Almost like pillows and low roll resistance. I also have some of Conti's you mentioned, another great tire for ride quality and minimal roll resistance. Worth it but don't get hung up on tne wieght.

pdedes

life is too short to use crappy tires. my list in order of preference, Vittoria Corsa Evo CX, Schwalbe Ultremo ZX, Continental GP4000s. And pay attention to inflation.

AdelaaR

Of course you'll notice the difference! Lighter is always better.

Did you know that by drilling small holes in your wheels and tires you can save additional weight?
All the pro's do it nowadays.

dnuzzomueller

So they have gone Drillium on the tires now too?

cplager

I wish you'd put up a warning stating "Put your morning coffee down before reading." These keyboards are getting expensive...

Looigi

I drill small holes in the bottom of my keyboard so the coffee can drain out.

Bob Dopolina 

carpediemracing 

Heh.

Number400

Yes, you just need a little more sealant

Nachoman

I would say that you will not notice any difference regarding a very slight sift in tube weight.
However, you might notice a dramatic difference (a quality difference, not a weight difference) with a different tire.
Every tire rides very differently.

carpediemracing 

In seriousness you probably won't notice. When you're not blown up you won't notice a tenth of a pound. When you're blown up you could have 1100g wheels and have saved 200g off the tires/tubes and you won't notice either.

I recommend people that have wire/steel bead tires (non-folding tires) to upgrade to kevlar/aramid bead tires (i.e. folding tires). Once you get a decent folding tire you've saved most of the "doesn't affect ride/reliability" weight.

To save further weight means reducing material in the tire case. It means getting rid of durability, either by reducing thickness or layers in the casing or reducing thickness in the tread.

For myself I consider a well designed/made 225g tire to be best all round tire for durability and performance. The durable 225g tires are really good - the extra belt or two under the tread really makes a difference. In fact, for performance, I'd rather have a 225g tire than a 170g tire. I even gave away a pair of 170g tires, brand new, telling the recipient that I didn't consider them durable but they'd be okay for a TT or something. He's a fastidious rider but cut both of them in two days.

Here's the thing - it's hard to ride fast when you're fixing a flat. I was riding Pro3s (lighter Michelin tires) and my (heavier, bigger) friend Krylions. We rode the same roads over a few training rides, riding together. I cut/flatted 3 Pro3s. He rode on the dirty side after that first cut/flat and he had no problems with Krylions. I went to Krylions after that. They weigh, what, like 25g more each, but trust me, trying to make a group ride and then cutting a tire, then cutting the other tire a hour into the ride... not fun.

I do think that the super-ultradurable tires lose some feel, the 300g tires, because the casing is so thick. I have some on my bike now and although it's nice not worrying about glass etc I can ride the same way with durable 225g tires. I don't have to worry about really difficult stuff like thorns etc so just regular glass, sand, pebbles/grit, stuff like that. If I were commuting on the tires I'd get the heaviest tires I could stand, so I could roll through anything. In fact I'd probably consider commuting on either a mountain bike or a cross bike. You don't lose too much speed on the flats, just on the hills.

I had Krylions, now discontinued, and bought Pro4 Endurances (the new Krylion) for the next time I need to swap the tires. They happen to be about 225g.

I am running Maxxis ReFuses and they are a bit stiff/inflexible feeling. The tread (compound, pattern, not sure what) is great in the rain. Feels really stiff though, noticeably so in terms of comfort - I run them as much as 20-30 psi lower than I've run other tires on the same wheels. These tires are 280g. I've raced on them a number of times without any problems, mainly in rain or heavy wind conditions. I think I even placed well in one race, maybe another. I don't think it's worth it to swap out the tires to the Pro4 Endurances so I'm waiting for them to wear out.

pallen

Actually...



EDIT: Oh, you said tires - still...

pallen

And yes, you will definitely notice the weight... if you really want to.

AdelaaR

I love this thread