Friday, June 28, 2013

Dare I? Wheel choices for the 2013 Etape du Tour

So pretty. But dare I risk it?
So, the nice people at Airstreeem offered to lend me some wheels for the Etape*. As about the only thing you can swap in, not change your set up and will improve your bike I said "why not".

But there's a problem, they sent me tubular tyres. Dare I use them?


*What can I say, I have friends who are journalists who I talk to about cycling too much

15 comments:

  1. OK - so I might just have fitted them. I mean, you have to at least try them out....

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  2. Clinchers = how stupid would that be without a support car

    Aero wheels in the mountains = ha ha ha ha ha

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  3. James, after riding the course in the spring and training out in the western mountains, I would recommend sticking with a good aluminum wheel. Aero can be quite "interesting" on a windy day so you might not want to chance it in case the weather gets a little rocky.

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  4. They're going to have to go back, aren't they....

    Sad, because they are ridiculously good/light. (Comfortably the best bit of kit I've ever put on my bike, well, frankly, they probably cost more than the entire rest of the bike)

    Of course, I'm going to trial them out on a regular ride to see what they feel like/how much faster they make me first. It would be rude not to.

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  5. What's the difference with tubular tyres then?
    They do look cool!
    Mel

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  6. A guest came out with wheels like that last week, and he didn't seem to have any problems with them.....
    Mel again!

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  7. Hey Mel,

    The difference is that if you puncture, you can't fix them. They're lighter and in some ways less likely to puncture. But the only reason the pros feel safe enough to use them is because if they get a flat someone just hands them a new wheel.

    I'm guessing that won't happen in the Etape.

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    Replies
    1. Hmmm, does seem a bit of a risk. What a shame, coz light wheels = more fun!
      Mel

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  8. Gutted - bike under 7kg with new wheels on.

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    Replies
    1. My bike weighs over 2kg more than yours and I am 16kg heavier. What hope have I got !!!

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    2. That you're much better than me at cycling?

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  9. Don't worry, my bike weighs 9.5k even with new wheels on!
    Mel

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    Replies
    1. True, but I weigh c20 kilos more than you...

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  10. Hi James

    Funnily enough, wheels are the ONLY thing I haven't changed! New bike is ready just in time (needs a lot of test rides this week)

    Good decision to stick with the clinchers by the way.

    One week!

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