I recently purchased a Bontrager R3 700x25 tire, moving up in width from Bontrager R3 700x23. The main reason was that I was looking for more comfort, for my 100kg weight. The 23mm width felt too sensitive to shocks and road vibrations, so much, that I was feeling as if I was slowing down instead of going faster. The 25mm width seemed logical to compensate this problem.
I have been using the R3 700x23 for about 18 months, with only 1 puncture (rear tire) and that was due to my fault hitting hard inside a road hole. Compared to R2, the R3, feels 'softer', faster, more responsive. I wanted a 25mm wide tire though, to give me some extra comfort.
I normally inflate the front R3 with 105-108psi and the rear R3 with 112-115. Sometimes, I might take 2-3 psi away from both tires to boost comfort, but I can observe a noticable reduction in top speed and acceleration.
On my new R3 700x25 setup, I did this test: Front wheel remained at 700x23, rear R3 wheel now gone from 700x23 to 700x25. Upon inflating both tires at the same pressure (115psi) for testing purposes: To measure tire width in order to double check manufacturers specifications. I noticed something weird, which I didn't see before in any tire: To my surprise my findings were the following:
Front tire width: 23.6mm (instead of 23mm)
Rear tire width: 24.3mm (instead of 25mm)
BIKE SETUP FOR MEASUREMENT:
My road to perhaps the most ultimate sports mix of endurance, strength and effort.
CLICK here to view the 2016 Greek Triathlon Calendar
CLICK here to view the 2016 Brevets (long distance) Road Bike Events in Greece
The Motivation: If not now, then when? Life is too short to stay inactive.
The Challenge: If you are not willing to suffer, then you shouldn't be racing
The Dream: Staying fit and feeling younger day by day!
CLICK here to view the 2016 Brevets (long distance) Road Bike Events in Greece
The Motivation: If not now, then when? Life is too short to stay inactive.
The Challenge: If you are not willing to suffer, then you shouldn't be racing
The Dream: Staying fit and feeling younger day by day!
Showing posts with label tire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tire. Show all posts
12 May 2015
22 August 2014
Fulcrum Racing 5 Road Bike Wheels (2014): TWO broken spokes within 8 months of purchase.
Well, no equipment is perfect and failures can happen to anyone anytime, regardless of how expensive or cheap is the product.
I had my first broken spoke ever about 3 months ago. I have been into cycling since 2010 and I have changed several wheelsets since then: From Alex Rims, into Shimano, into Pro Lite and then into Fulrcum. I bought my first ever Fulcrum wheels in Dec. 2013, after shop's recommendations and friends' suggestions.
But, about 6 months after purchase a Fulcrum rear wheel spoke broke. At the worst place and time: During a 200km Brevet cycle race with about 50km to go when I also had a good ranking (within top 40 out of about 200 cyclists).
I was left in the middle of nowhere with the sun burning on top of my head at 36+ degrees in a very remote location (50km outside Theva, Greece). I was very lucky to have a race support car picking me up, as it was left to the athletes to deal with their emergencies according to race regulations. It was the first time I realised how a broken spoke sounds.. and the flatness your mind receives when it realizes that you no longer can pedal. My rear wheel lost its symmetry. It went into an 'egg' shape. I tried to open the rear break as much as possible, but still nothing. THAT spoke was fatal. I had to quit the race.
After the repair, the bike shop assumed that these things happen to everyone and it's normal. I accepted this.
4 weeks ago and about 2 months after the first ever spoke breakage on the Racing 5 wheels, another spoke on the same rear wheel broke. Again.
I had my first broken spoke ever about 3 months ago. I have been into cycling since 2010 and I have changed several wheelsets since then: From Alex Rims, into Shimano, into Pro Lite and then into Fulrcum. I bought my first ever Fulcrum wheels in Dec. 2013, after shop's recommendations and friends' suggestions.
But, about 6 months after purchase a Fulcrum rear wheel spoke broke. At the worst place and time: During a 200km Brevet cycle race with about 50km to go when I also had a good ranking (within top 40 out of about 200 cyclists).
I was left in the middle of nowhere with the sun burning on top of my head at 36+ degrees in a very remote location (50km outside Theva, Greece). I was very lucky to have a race support car picking me up, as it was left to the athletes to deal with their emergencies according to race regulations. It was the first time I realised how a broken spoke sounds.. and the flatness your mind receives when it realizes that you no longer can pedal. My rear wheel lost its symmetry. It went into an 'egg' shape. I tried to open the rear break as much as possible, but still nothing. THAT spoke was fatal. I had to quit the race.
After the repair, the bike shop assumed that these things happen to everyone and it's normal. I accepted this.
4 weeks ago and about 2 months after the first ever spoke breakage on the Racing 5 wheels, another spoke on the same rear wheel broke. Again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Popular blog articles...
-
Hello there! Thanks for visiting my blog. Ok, reviewing a product is a tiring process, as it requires many things to be carefully explaine...
-
I recently purchased a Bontrager R3 700x25 tire, moving up in width from Bontrager R3 700x23. The main reason was that I was looking for mor...
-
Between other useful parameters, a very important figure that mainly concerns endurance athletes is the knowledge of VO2max. The procedu...
-
(an update was added to this post 12th Oct. 2014 - scroll at the bottom of this article) Despite my full time job as a computer engine...
-
As the name of this blog suggests, it includes topics about triathlon and rowing. But, the title of the blog has now changed into 'Tria...
-
Measuring method based on information provided on the well established book by Joe Friel 'The Triathlete's Training Bible' (3rd ...
-
Registration time was a complete madness! Well, 21,000 competitors are expected to appear on the start line...so make sure you don't get...
-
The 2011 race season is over, both for triathlon and indoor rowing. Time for a good long rest and time for collecting the pros and reass...
-
Bike: Scott Speedster FB S50 (2010 model) Aerobar: Profile Design Jammer GT (aerobar to fit in race bikes) This is a special aerobar de...
-
Hope you find some of my posts inspiring and useful! Your comments help improve and refine the topics. Locate your country on the map ab...