Slicks on an RST

[Swislon]

I feel like putting on some low resistance light tyres for the summer months[8D]. I use Conti Ultragatorskins on my 700c road bike. I like them alot and see I could get a 26" version but only in 1.2" which is below the recommended 1.5" in the Thorn brochure due to the low bottom bracket. Conti Sport Contact come in 1.3" or 1.6". Does anyone have any recommendations or thoughts of alternatives ?

[stutho]

I have being using the Geax Street Runner 26 * 1.25 (450g).  It a very cheap tyre, less than £20 a pair at wiggle. I have put ~ 6000 all weather miles on them and they are still going strong.  They are also good for not getting punctures (I have only had 2).  Down side is the rolling resistance is average at best (for a road tyre) probably due to thick puncture resistant bead.  I also managed to damage one (on another bike) by over inflating the tube (bad gauge).  Overall I like them (4/5).

Not had any problems with regard to the low bb (N.B. my cranks are 175mm)

Added 16.5.07
I just checked out the Ultra gatorskin.  They look impressive - I might get some myself

[Swislon]

Thanks for you're reply Stutho. I wonder why Thorn suggest you don't go below 1.5". Maybe they are being ultra cautious especially if you've had no problems at 1.25" ( my cranks are 175 as well). I think I'll ring up tommorrow and ask.

[stutho]

Let us know - I am interested in there response.

NB I use a small 2 sided SPD pedal,   a larger pedal (esp. a with a toe clip) might have more problems.

[Swislon]

Hi Stutho,

SJS recommend not going below 1.5" because of potential pedal grounding issues. They also feel bigger tyres give better rolling resistance and that smaller is not necessarily faster. They say the fastest they've come across is the Panaracer Hi Road Compe 1.5"(folding). Not cheap at £24.99.

They also recognise different pedals, crank length, riding style will give different grounding tolerances. I think 1.5" is the minimum they wish to commit to on paper so it is in our own hands or should I say feet if we want to gamble with something below that.

[hux]

I run Continental Contact Sport 26x1.6 on my RST.
Had them since bike new over 2 years without a puncture.
Much better 'rollers' than my mtb knobblies,possibly a little more resistance than my old Specialised Fat Boy 26x1.3 but not an issue to me on the 'variable' surfaced roads I ride on and I suspect not an issue to anybody other than a keen roadie.

[stutho]

Thanks Swislon,

I just measured the pedal clearance on my bike ~ 85mm.  (Pedal clearance = Cornering clearance = Road clearance they all mean the same thing)  I have been looking for a recommendation on the web but I can't find one.  Either way I am happy with my set-up, like I said earlier, I have had no problems using these tyres on road.

Panaracer Hi Road Compe - I was under the impression that this tyre was no longer in production, possibly these are old stock?  I agree that thinner tyres do not necessarily give better rolling resistances, however high pressures certainly do and as a general rule thinner tyre use higher pressers.  Thinner tyres are also lighter which makes a big difference to the 'feel' of the bike and are more aerodynamic to boot.  (I know you know all this but I thought I would say it anyway)    

Out of interest what tyre are you currently using and are you still intending to try something smaller?

Stuart

[Swislon]

Hi Stuart,

I'm using Panaracer Tour Guard 1.5" at the moment. I have no problems with them but fancied a lighter slick for the summer months, faster rolling, lighter feel etc. So I think it is going to be between the Sport Contact 1.3/1.6 and the Gatorskins 1.2. I'll also measure my clearance with 175mm cranks and doublesided SPDs as well. I've heard good things about the Sport Contact eg hux on this thread but nothing anywhere about the Gatorskins yet.

Steve

[tynevalleycommuter]

We are using Schwalbe Speed Cruiser 1.5 on our tandem. They have an inverted tread so effectively slick, will take 6 bar pressure and cost £6 each from cyclebasket (plus postage). They also have a bit of a puncture resistant belt, but they are not too heavy - just under 600g.

My only slight gripe is that other tandems can hear us coming due to tyre noise on some road surfaces, but that could be because of our all-up weight of around 26 stone (including the bike!) Should be much quieter on a solo.

May be worth looking at.

Alternatively Schwalbe City Jet, they are a shade lighter but only go up to 4 bar and are a bit of an odd profile. They have a relatively smooth centre band. I have them on a MTB I use for commuting.

David

[stutho]

Just for the record Geax Street runners are 7bar (100psi) Max

[simonsydney]

I use the Schwalbe Racer, which I guess is a semi-slick, in the 1.5" size, I really like them, seat of my pants opinion is they are a bit faster than the panaracer hi-roads I did have on.

http://www.schwalbe.com/gbl/en/bicycle/on_tour/produktgruppe/produkt/?ID_Produktgruppe=21&ID_Produkt=59&ID_Land=38&ID_Sprache=2&ID_Einsatzbereich=2&tn_mainPoint=Fahrrad&tn_subPoint=On+Tour

[Paulson]

I feel like re-inflating this thread again.  If you will.

I have been running TG's with a 1.25" width since the summer and would never go wider now.

In fact, I will be replacing them with a pair of gatorskins, as I liked these when I had my audax mk3. 

I run 175mm cranks and I cannot see any problem at all with ground clearance.

The bike came with 1.75" TG's and these are super comfortable, but you feel like you're pedalling through treacle.  The difference in resistance is noticeable.

[Crudson]

replacing them with a pair of gatorskins

Gatorskins for the winter? - Fok! After a 'unscheduled dismount' last week it's Gatorskin off - Marathon Plus on for me.

[Paulson]

Gatorskins for the winter? - Fok! After a 'unscheduled dismount' last week it's Gatorskin off - Marathon Plus on for me.

Crash and burn, dude!  Let's see how it goes, I still have the Panaracer TG's so can pop these back on if any real probs - I looked at M+ as I had them 3 bikes ago for a while, but they're heavy!

[SPARSONS]

1.5 Folding Hi-Roads are nice, noticeably faster than 1.75" tourguards