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
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15 comments:

  1. UnknownJune 28, 2013 at 1:33 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 28, 2013 at 3:09 PM



    Clinchers = how stupid would that be without a support car

    Aero wheels in the mountains = ha ha ha ha ha

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJune 28, 2013 at 5:26 PM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJune 29, 2013 at 12:24 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJune 29, 2013 at 2:26 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJune 29, 2013 at 2:28 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownJune 29, 2013 at 6:09 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJune 29, 2013 at 6:37 AM

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

      Delete
  8. UnknownJune 29, 2013 at 8:26 AM

    Gutted - bike under 7kg with new wheels on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJuly 1, 2013 at 3:00 AM

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

      Delete
    2. UnknownJuly 1, 2013 at 3:33 AM

      That you're much better than me at cycling?

      Delete
  9. AnonymousJune 29, 2013 at 11:25 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJune 29, 2013 at 11:36 AM

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

      Delete
  10. AnonymousJune 29, 2013 at 8:00 PM

    x
    M

    ReplyDelete
  11. LeeJune 29, 2013 at 11:53 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete

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