Question About Tires
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Question About Tires
So, I appear to have made a mistake in purchasing replacement tires. Purchasing goods via the internet is very challenging at times.
I bought some Challenge tires and must have selected "black/white" (as opposed to "black/black"), when what I really wanted was black/tan. I glanced at them when they arrived but put them on the shelf about a year ago, maybe longer.
Will this white color darken to the tan sidewall or is it actually a "white wall" tire of sorts?
I have not yet mounted them but now that I have taken a closer look at the color, I believe I will NOT like the appearance.
What do I do? Buy yet another pair in black/tan? Can these be dyed?
I bought some Challenge tires and must have selected "black/white" (as opposed to "black/black"), when what I really wanted was black/tan. I glanced at them when they arrived but put them on the shelf about a year ago, maybe longer.
Will this white color darken to the tan sidewall or is it actually a "white wall" tire of sorts?
I have not yet mounted them but now that I have taken a closer look at the color, I believe I will NOT like the appearance.
What do I do? Buy yet another pair in black/tan? Can these be dyed?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Berwyn PA
Posts: 6,408
Bikes: I hate bikes!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 431 Post(s)
Liked 710 Times
in
233 Posts
So, I appear to have made a mistake in purchasing replacement tires. Purchasing goods via the internet is very challenging at times.
I bought some Challenge tires and must have selected "black/white" (as opposed to "black/black"), when what I really wanted was black/tan. I glanced at them when they arrived but put them on the shelf about a year ago, maybe longer.
Will this white color darken to the tan sidewall or is it actually a "white wall" tire of sorts?
I have not yet mounted them but now that I have taken a closer look at the color, I believe I will NOT like the appearance.
What do I do? Buy yet another pair in black/tan? Can these be dyed?
I bought some Challenge tires and must have selected "black/white" (as opposed to "black/black"), when what I really wanted was black/tan. I glanced at them when they arrived but put them on the shelf about a year ago, maybe longer.
Will this white color darken to the tan sidewall or is it actually a "white wall" tire of sorts?
I have not yet mounted them but now that I have taken a closer look at the color, I believe I will NOT like the appearance.
What do I do? Buy yet another pair in black/tan? Can these be dyed?
#3
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
Photo?
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Point Reyes Station, California
Posts: 4,528
Bikes: Indeed!
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1507 Post(s)
Liked 3,473 Times
in
1,132 Posts
I like the coffee suggestion, but if that doesn't work your local auto parts store ought to be able to provide you with a liquid that is painted onto whitewall tires to turn them black. Not tan, I know, but better than white!
Brent
Brent
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,704
Bikes: 82 Medici, 2011 Richard Sachs, 2011 Milwaukee Road
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1949 Post(s)
Liked 2,010 Times
in
1,109 Posts
What color is your bike?
__________________
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I went looking to buy a Paris-Roubaix (28mm wide rear) and a Strada (25 mm front).
NO CIGAR!
NO CIGAR!
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I am concerned about uniformity of color (mottling).
I thinnk it is going to come down to either learn to tolerate them or chalk it up to experience and replace them with new tires that are actually black & tan.
If it comes to replacements, I may be offering up some great tires. Maybe I should keep them as spares in case I get cord breakage/blow out or some other catastrophic damage.
P.S. - It's okay to laugh. Sometimes I make dumb mistakes like this. WHITE wall tires! OMG! What were they thinking when they made these?
I thinnk it is going to come down to either learn to tolerate them or chalk it up to experience and replace them with new tires that are actually black & tan.
If it comes to replacements, I may be offering up some great tires. Maybe I should keep them as spares in case I get cord breakage/blow out or some other catastrophic damage.
P.S. - It's okay to laugh. Sometimes I make dumb mistakes like this. WHITE wall tires! OMG! What were they thinking when they made these?
Last edited by Bad Lag; 09-11-22 at 10:52 PM.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,704
Bikes: 82 Medici, 2011 Richard Sachs, 2011 Milwaukee Road
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1949 Post(s)
Liked 2,010 Times
in
1,109 Posts
Yep. You need a new bike for those white sidewalls.
__________________
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
#10
Senior Member
Artist acylic paint in raw sienna. Dilute in water. Brush on a couple coats till you get desired color.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,504
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 586 Post(s)
Liked 612 Times
in
447 Posts
I am concerned about uniformity of color (mottling).
I thinnk it is going to come down to either learn to tolerate them or chalk it up to experience and replace them with new tires that are actually black & tan.
If it comes to replacements, I may be offering up some great tires. Maybe I should keep them as spares in case I get cord breakage/blow out or some other catastrophic damage.
P.S. - It's okay to laugh. Sometimes I make dumb mistakes like this. WHITE wall tires! OMG! What were they thinking when they made these?
I thinnk it is going to come down to either learn to tolerate them or chalk it up to experience and replace them with new tires that are actually black & tan.
If it comes to replacements, I may be offering up some great tires. Maybe I should keep them as spares in case I get cord breakage/blow out or some other catastrophic damage.
P.S. - It's okay to laugh. Sometimes I make dumb mistakes like this. WHITE wall tires! OMG! What were they thinking when they made these?
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
What a DUMB mistake I made.
I went searching for replacements last night and it turns out Challenge has changed something. The Paris-Roubaix is now 30 mm wide and rated for only 50-75 psi. My existing Parigi-Roubaix rear tire is listed as 28 mm (measures 29mm) and I regularly pump it to 110-120 psi. The Strada tire is listed at higher pressure but still a bit lower than before.
Is this just a marketing ploy to cater to the low pressure fad that's so prevalent now or is the tire different?
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 3,682
Bikes: Puch Marco Polo, Saint Tropez, Masi Gran Criterium
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1163 Post(s)
Liked 442 Times
in
315 Posts
At over $70 per tire, at the very least, I am going to mount them and see how they look.
What a DUMB mistake I made.
I went searching for replacements last night and it turns out Challenge has changed something. The Paris-Roubaix is now 30 mm wide and rated for only 50-75 psi. My existing Parigi-Roubaix rear tire is listed as 28 mm (measures 29mm) and I regularly pump it to 110-120 psi. The Strada tire is listed at higher pressure but still a bit lower than before. Your Parigi-Roubaix 28mm rear tire would be fine at about 70ish psi depending on your body weight. If you are not running these Challenge tires with latex tubes - you’re missing out on a plush ride.
The rear has a light grey stripe, the front is a Schwalbe One with a white stripe. I wore out the rear Schwalbe and this Michelin Pro 4 Endurance with the grey stripe was a close match. But for my next set I would like to spec some full on whitewalls!
Is this just a marketing ploy to cater to the low pressure fad that's so prevalent now or is the tire different?
What a DUMB mistake I made.
I went searching for replacements last night and it turns out Challenge has changed something. The Paris-Roubaix is now 30 mm wide and rated for only 50-75 psi. My existing Parigi-Roubaix rear tire is listed as 28 mm (measures 29mm) and I regularly pump it to 110-120 psi. The Strada tire is listed at higher pressure but still a bit lower than before. Your Parigi-Roubaix 28mm rear tire would be fine at about 70ish psi depending on your body weight. If you are not running these Challenge tires with latex tubes - you’re missing out on a plush ride.
The rear has a light grey stripe, the front is a Schwalbe One with a white stripe. I wore out the rear Schwalbe and this Michelin Pro 4 Endurance with the grey stripe was a close match. But for my next set I would like to spec some full on whitewalls!
Is this just a marketing ploy to cater to the low pressure fad that's so prevalent now or is the tire different?
Not a fad! Nice, wide “open tubular” high thread count tires like that give a much better ride at lower pressures in my opinion. Especially recommended is pairing these with latex tubes. I weigh ~190 to 195# and I run 25’s with latex tubes at about 72-79 front and 74-85 rear. Perfectly fast at this pressure and a much less punishing ride.
I will repeat the request for a link or a picture of the “whitewalls”. I personally think white walls look great in the right application such as polished rims which I run on my aluminum Flyte SRS-2.
Last edited by masi61; 09-13-22 at 11:47 AM. Reason: Added photo
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
Is it these? (Link provided just to understand appearance.)
https://www.omnibikeparts.com/en_US/...ckwhite/49528/
I think those will look entirely inoffensive on your bike, but that's just my 0.02...
https://www.omnibikeparts.com/en_US/...ckwhite/49528/
I think those will look entirely inoffensive on your bike, but that's just my 0.02...
Likes For noobinsf:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,504
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 586 Post(s)
Liked 612 Times
in
447 Posts
At over $70 per tire, at the very least, I am going to mount them and see how they look.
What a DUMB mistake I made.
I went searching for replacements last night and it turns out Challenge has changed something. The Paris-Roubaix is now 30 mm wide and rated for only 50-75 psi. My existing Parigi-Roubaix rear tire is listed as 28 mm (measures 29mm) and I regularly pump it to 110-120 psi. The Strada tire is listed at higher pressure but still a bit lower than before.
Is this just a marketing ploy to cater to the low pressure fad that's so prevalent now or is the tire different?
What a DUMB mistake I made.
I went searching for replacements last night and it turns out Challenge has changed something. The Paris-Roubaix is now 30 mm wide and rated for only 50-75 psi. My existing Parigi-Roubaix rear tire is listed as 28 mm (measures 29mm) and I regularly pump it to 110-120 psi. The Strada tire is listed at higher pressure but still a bit lower than before.
Is this just a marketing ploy to cater to the low pressure fad that's so prevalent now or is the tire different?
Did you really want/need tubulars?
Likes For TugaDude:
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,845
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2338 Post(s)
Liked 2,822 Times
in
1,541 Posts
this is what I saw on the challenge site about pressure..for paris roubaux . the ones OP listed seemed low, so I .got curious
Pressure: it’s one of the most important parameters. Pressure changes from tubular to TLR or clincher, also depending on weather conditions and rider’s weight. In the worst cobbles conditions, Paris-Roubaix could be ridden at 4.5/5 BAR (65/75 PSI) for TLR/clincher and 5/5.5 BAR (75/83) for tubulars. In dry conditions, pressure can increase a little bit up to 6/6.5 BAR (90/100 PSI). However, higher pressure is not recommended since the tire won’t absorb the impact in a correct way, causing more easily punctures.
Pressure: it’s one of the most important parameters. Pressure changes from tubular to TLR or clincher, also depending on weather conditions and rider’s weight. In the worst cobbles conditions, Paris-Roubaix could be ridden at 4.5/5 BAR (65/75 PSI) for TLR/clincher and 5/5.5 BAR (75/83) for tubulars. In dry conditions, pressure can increase a little bit up to 6/6.5 BAR (90/100 PSI). However, higher pressure is not recommended since the tire won’t absorb the impact in a correct way, causing more easily punctures.
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I read that, too. It is part of the marketing of low pressure "fad" I referred to. It is also a change to the Paris-Roubaix and Strada tire models.
I double checked the tires I have. They are rated for 90-120 psi. They measure 28.0 mm wide when inflated to 110 psi. At least I got that part right when ordering.
Today, I mounted the Paris-Roubaix rear tire and went for a ride.
These surely are nice tires. If one had the needle and thread to do it, you could stitch a seam and have a very nice tubular tire. Yes, they really are that nice.
It's just that they are, well,... WHITE.
I'm mounting the Strada front tire tomorrow. It, too, is WHITE.
I double checked the tires I have. They are rated for 90-120 psi. They measure 28.0 mm wide when inflated to 110 psi. At least I got that part right when ordering.
Today, I mounted the Paris-Roubaix rear tire and went for a ride.
These surely are nice tires. If one had the needle and thread to do it, you could stitch a seam and have a very nice tubular tire. Yes, they really are that nice.
It's just that they are, well,... WHITE.
I'm mounting the Strada front tire tomorrow. It, too, is WHITE.
Last edited by Bad Lag; 09-13-22 at 07:31 PM.
Likes For Bad Lag:
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 3,682
Bikes: Puch Marco Polo, Saint Tropez, Masi Gran Criterium
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1163 Post(s)
Liked 442 Times
in
315 Posts
Bad Lag - could you give feedback about what type of inner tubes you are running? Butyl or Latex? Also just curious but which rims do you have these mounted on?
Your repeating your belief that there is some kind of marketing of low pressure and “fad”, my response to this is that it is not a fad. Yeah, I get it that if you read some of the advertising hyperbole of say, Rene Herse then yeah maybe they are taking it a bit too far sure.
But you taking a supple tire like these Challenge tires in a 28 width and insisting on running them at 110 psi just sounds stubborn on your part.
Your repeating your belief that there is some kind of marketing of low pressure and “fad”, my response to this is that it is not a fad. Yeah, I get it that if you read some of the advertising hyperbole of say, Rene Herse then yeah maybe they are taking it a bit too far sure.
But you taking a supple tire like these Challenge tires in a 28 width and insisting on running them at 110 psi just sounds stubborn on your part.
Last edited by masi61; 09-14-22 at 10:06 AM.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Berkeley CA
Posts: 2,536
Bikes: 1981 Ron Cooper, 1974 Cinelli Speciale Corsa, 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 1, 1986 Miyata 710, 1982 Raleigh "International"
Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 930 Post(s)
Liked 1,291 Times
in
487 Posts
Bad Lag - could you give feedback about what type of inner tubes you are running? Butyl or Latex. Also just curious but which rims do you have these mounted on?
Your repeating your belief that there is some kind of marketing of low pressure and “fad”, my response to this is that it is not a fad. Yeah, I get it that if you read some of the advertising hyperbole of say, Rene Herse then yeah maybe they are taking it a bit too far sure.
But you taking a supple tire like these Challenge tires in a 28 width and insisting on running them at 110 psi just sounds stubborn on your part.
Your repeating your belief that there is some kind of marketing of low pressure and “fad”, my response to this is that it is not a fad. Yeah, I get it that if you read some of the advertising hyperbole of say, Rene Herse then yeah maybe they are taking it a bit too far sure.
But you taking a supple tire like these Challenge tires in a 28 width and insisting on running them at 110 psi just sounds stubborn on your part.
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Stop with the personal attacks.
You may have different experiences than I. This is what I do and why I do it that way.
I do what works for me. This is my experience, repeated over and again across the last 60 years of cycling using tubulars and clinchers.
How could you say I run "extremely high pressure" if you do not know what I weigh? I run what works. My experience has taught me what to use and, as it turns out, it is right in line with a lot of the tire pressure recommendations I read.
Whenever I run my tires at even moderately low pressure, I get flat tires from glass. It happened just last Friday when I was too lazy to pump them up and consciously thought, well, it's okay because everyone says running at lower pressures is a good thing.
This was the justification or rationalization I used. I knew it was wrong and sure enough, I got a flat from glass mid-ride.
Likewise, I do not use a wider (28 mm) tire in the rear because wide tires are the latest and greatest, I do so because when I use a more narrow tire (25mm), I get flats from glass. I do not get pinch flats, ever.
More personal and opinion based on my experience - latex tubes are terrible. I just dumped a set of Vittoria tubes. They ride nicely but it seems to be as much about their lower weight and their different sound as it is ride quality. You have to pump them up before every single ride or they flat out (reference the above). There is no amount of ride quality improvement that makes up for frequent flats (1/wk or 1/mo). I never have those problems with butyl tubes.
Right now, I am using Conti Race 28 tubes and Challenge tires on MAVIC MA-2 rims.
I think I'll just go for a ride. After all, I have new WHITE tires on my bike and want to "break them in". Maybe the sun and sand will darken them.
You may have different experiences than I. This is what I do and why I do it that way.
I do what works for me. This is my experience, repeated over and again across the last 60 years of cycling using tubulars and clinchers.
How could you say I run "extremely high pressure" if you do not know what I weigh? I run what works. My experience has taught me what to use and, as it turns out, it is right in line with a lot of the tire pressure recommendations I read.
Whenever I run my tires at even moderately low pressure, I get flat tires from glass. It happened just last Friday when I was too lazy to pump them up and consciously thought, well, it's okay because everyone says running at lower pressures is a good thing.
This was the justification or rationalization I used. I knew it was wrong and sure enough, I got a flat from glass mid-ride.
Likewise, I do not use a wider (28 mm) tire in the rear because wide tires are the latest and greatest, I do so because when I use a more narrow tire (25mm), I get flats from glass. I do not get pinch flats, ever.
More personal and opinion based on my experience - latex tubes are terrible. I just dumped a set of Vittoria tubes. They ride nicely but it seems to be as much about their lower weight and their different sound as it is ride quality. You have to pump them up before every single ride or they flat out (reference the above). There is no amount of ride quality improvement that makes up for frequent flats (1/wk or 1/mo). I never have those problems with butyl tubes.
Right now, I am using Conti Race 28 tubes and Challenge tires on MAVIC MA-2 rims.
I think I'll just go for a ride. After all, I have new WHITE tires on my bike and want to "break them in". Maybe the sun and sand will darken them.
Last edited by Bad Lag; 09-14-22 at 02:44 PM.
Likes For Bad Lag:
#22
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
Likes For madpogue:
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Berwyn PA
Posts: 6,408
Bikes: I hate bikes!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 431 Post(s)
Liked 710 Times
in
233 Posts
I have no dog in the fight but I stopped using Challenge tires because they seemed be flat-prone in my experience. I thought the ride was nice but it seemed any type of road debris would result in flat. Glass, thorns, wire strands and I also found them unnecessarily difficult to mount, when new across a variety of rim types.
I also found that after they were mounted and stretched, they had a tendency roll right off the rim after becoming flat while riding. I decided to move on. YMMV.
I also found that after they were mounted and stretched, they had a tendency roll right off the rim after becoming flat while riding. I decided to move on. YMMV.
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I have no dog in the fight but I stopped using Challenge tires because they seemed be flat-prone in my experience. I thought the ride was nice but it seemed any type of road debris would result in flat. Glass, thorns, wire strands and I also found them unnecessarily difficult to mount, when new across a variety of rim types.
I also found that after they were mounted and stretched, they had a tendency roll right off the rim after becoming flat while riding. I decided to move on. YMMV.
I also found that after they were mounted and stretched, they had a tendency roll right off the rim after becoming flat while riding. I decided to move on. YMMV.
That bit about "rolling off the rim" sounds scary. I haven't experienced that and hope I never do. :-)
I just wish these weren't WHITE. :-)
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Berwyn PA
Posts: 6,408
Bikes: I hate bikes!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 431 Post(s)
Liked 710 Times
in
233 Posts
I was not being a smart a** when I mentioned coffee as a way of staining the white rubber at the beginning of this thread. It is a pretty common way of "aging" things in the vintage guiter & antique hooby space. Get a jar of freeze dried coffee at the supermarket and you can adjust the "strength" of you brew for staining.