On Feb 3, 2012, at 11:09 AM, PATRICK MOORE wrote: > I used the 559X32 mm (1.25) Pasela and was less than overwhelmed. The > Kojak rolls better and is certainly more flat resistant; of course it > costs more than twice as much. > > What 559X1" tires did you use? I haven't ridden the Kojaks enough to > say for sure, but I *think* they roll as well as the tiny, light (198 > gr) and supple NOS 559 Specialized Turbos, hitherto my benchmark for > fast, 559 tires.
In 26 x 1.0 I used the Ritchey Tom Slicks, the Continental GPs and Pr1mo Racers in particular. The Specialized tires I have never even seen. The Ritcheys were prone to casing failures so I stopped using them although they were pretty fast. The Pr1mos were really fragile- but fast- and I stopped using those. I used the Specialized Fatboy 1.25s and was underwhelmed by those. The smaller wheels seem more susceptible to tire performance than 700C wheels, IME. Something I don't get about 26" wheels is that almost every tire maker that makes tires for that size seems to think they have to be built like tanks with thick rubber, honking tread patterns, puncture proof BS, yadda yadda yadda. You end up with a 1.25 or 1.5 wide tire that weighs 600 g. A light high performance tire for 559 wheels is hard to find. > I must factor in the much greater weight of the > Kojaks -- the 559X1.35 wire beads are just under 400 grams -- which > seems to add to the "inertial" feel of the wheels (particularly > noticeable on a fixed gear), but again, both the 559 and 622 pairs > seem to be as good rolling as any tire I've used. > > I also seem to feel that the Kojaks are more supple at similar > pressures than the Paselas -- certainly I was surprised by the feel of > the new 35s. Thanks for that. I am trying to remember if I have seen the Kojaks at Hiawatha Cyclery (since that's the only bike shop I go to, I wouldn't have seen them anywhere else). I've had one pair of Schwalbe tires, some racy 355 size ones back when I had my Birdy folder. They were better than the stock tires (which were cheap and cheesy). But Schwalbe's over-emphasis on flat protection leaves me cold. The tires end up being way too heavy and at least in one's hand seem like they would be slow and lifeless on the road. I am usually not that bothered by flats, I normally only get 3-4 per year with the Paselas which have thin rubber and no puncture protection type stuff (I don't use the TGs). We've got no goatheads around here and while there's some broken glass it's not as bad as many places. Too many years of bike racing- performance and speed are still a primary interest for me when riding a bike. I am not happy on a bike over 25 lbs and not happy if it doesn't feel fast. I want lightness, nimbleness and speed since I ride for fun almost exclusively (even when riding to work- I do it because it's fun). But I also dislike plastic frames and wheels with too-few spokes, and I prefer DT friction shifters... and I've reached an age where Lycra is not such a good idea. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
