View Full Version : Maxxis Hookworms, or Schwalbe Big Apples for my R20
Sammyboy
10-30-07, 03:34 AM
As you're all only too well aware by now, I'm building a fairly bulletproof wheelset for my R20. I'm torn between these two tyres, and wanted some advice. I've already written off Stelvios as likely a bit fragile for the kind of urban environments this bike has to deal with. The Hookworms will inflate to 110 psi, which pleases me a great deal - on the 20's standard 55 psi tyres, I really feel the rolling resistance. Does anyone know what the Big Apples are rated for? I know that the width is likely to make for a more comfortable ride etc, but I really don't want to run low pressures. Of course, if I can find a set of whitewall Hookworms, all bets are off!
As well as this quantitative data, I'm interested simply to hear of people's experiences with these two tyres.
Big Apples are rated for 70psi. I like them, have commuted and toured on them for perhaps 8000km and still going, although the rear tread is worn off and it's rather full of cuts - but I have a Slime liner in so it's bulletproof. The great thing about them is you can run them softer without much rolling resistance penalty.
No experience on Hookworms. I have the idea the tread is rather thicker than the BA ones. With a slime liner these will go very far.
mtnbk3000
10-30-07, 04:49 AM
As you're all only too well aware by now, I'm building a fairly bulletproof wheelset for my R20. I'm torn between these two tyres, and wanted some advice. I've already written off Stelvios as likely a bit fragile for the kind of urban environments this bike has to deal with. The Hookworms will inflate to 110 psi, which pleases me a great deal - on the 20's standard 55 psi tyres, I really feel the rolling resistance. Does anyone know what the Big Apples are rated for? I know that the width is likely to make for a more comfortable ride etc, but I really don't want to run low pressures. Of course, if I can find a set of whitewall Hookworms, all bets are off!
As well as this quantitative data, I'm interested simply to hear of people's experiences with these two tyres.
how about orange wall?
Sammyboy
10-30-07, 05:07 AM
P'raps orange wall would work. But the bike will have kind of a rat-rod look, so whitewalls would be sweet. Actually, the orange walls wouldn't really look good with the sparkle red rims.
I've a feeling the 70 psi will be what makes the decision for me. One thing I've really been looking forward to is reducing the rolling resistance penalty on this bike, and going up only 15 psi, and putting on heowge fat tyres is, I suspect, not going to give me the improvement I seek!
JosephLMonti
10-30-07, 07:38 AM
P'raps orange wall would work. But the bike will have kind of a rat-rod look, so whitewalls would be sweet. Actually, the orange walls wouldn't really look good with the sparkle red rims.
I've a feeling the 70 psi will be what makes the decision for me. One thing I've really been looking forward to is reducing the rolling resistance penalty on this bike, and going up only 15 psi, and putting on heowge fat tyres is, I suspect, not going to give me the improvement I seek!
I've been running the Hookworms on my Downtube front suspension model but have recently switched out the shock for a rigid fork (report to soon follow). Now I feel the Hookworms make the ride too harsh (rated 85-110) so I will probably switch them out for the Big Apples.
'72 superbe
10-30-07, 10:19 AM
I have been riding Hookworms for about 5 months on my Twenty. I do like them. They are fat and fast which is great for my commute of 13+ mile commute ( round trip ) to work. I was afraid they would be too harsh at 110 psi but have found them to be a good ride. If you keep the original fork the Big Apples may be too wide for the fork and the stock brakes may not make it around the width of the tire. Just something to be aware of. Here is a link to the work I have done to my Twenty: http://home.earthlink.net/~bhansmn/
P'raps orange wall would work. But the bike will have kind of a rat-rod look, so whitewalls would be sweet. Actually, the orange walls wouldn't really look good with the sparkle red rims.
I've a feeling the 70 psi will be what makes the decision for me. One thing I've really been looking forward to is reducing the rolling resistance penalty on this bike, and going up only 15 psi, and putting on heowge fat tyres is, I suspect, not going to give me the improvement I seek!
BigApple tyres are known for low rolling resistance and for providing a ride so soft that it feeels as if you have suspension. If you have the clearance to use them under your brakes, they are excellent.
Big Apple fit but it's very close.
Regarding pressure, don't expect too much from how it 'feels.' Rolling resistance is quite low especially if you choose a tyre which starts out low such as BA. Not much at all is gaimed from higher pressure. Did you see my roll-down tests?
BruceMetras
10-30-07, 07:17 PM
Big Apple fit but it's very close.
Regarding pressure, don't expect too much from how it 'feels.' Rolling resistance is quite low especially if you choose a tyre which starts out low such as BA. Not much at all is gaimed from higher pressure. Did you see my roll-down tests?
Did you ever figure out why your Sweetie's Yeah was so comparatively fast? :eek:
Did you ever figure out why your Sweetie's Yeah was so comparatively fast? :eek:No, I am still on the case though. If all else fails I can always maladjust her brakes. :eek: :eek:
wethepeople
10-30-07, 09:08 PM
Look into Animal GLH's?
http://www.danscomp.com/444006.php?cat=PARTS
I've picked up glass, syringes, and belting with mine and have yet to get anything but a small leak caused by a hypodermic. 110psi, and like the name means, they go like hell.
invisiblehand
10-31-07, 07:48 AM
Big Apple fit but it's very close.
If they fit, I would go with the Apples.
-G
Sammyboy
10-31-07, 02:48 PM
Did you see my roll-down tests?
No, but I'm very interested in empirical evidence for things. Linky? If that's convincing, the Big Apples will win. We're sure they fit, right?
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=335014&page=3
The tests surprised me as it seemed to demolish a popular myth or 2. One of those myths is the benefit of riding with extremely hard pumped tyres. There seems very little benefit, and apparently you can forget about how fast or slow it feels.
Another surprising item was that my R20 with BA on the back and cheapie Kenda on the front, both with unknown pressures since I am lazy to pump frequently, did about as good as my Swift. Since more weight is on the back, that tyre would be more important. In that case it was a Big Apple with a slime liner fitted.
So it would seem as long as you don't have an absolute dog of a tyre you should be OK with either of your 2 suggestions.
Sammyboy
11-01-07, 04:02 AM
Very interesting reading. Worries me too, since my R20 was always somewhat harder work to pedal than my other bikes. I put it down partly to the SA AW hub (my other SA bikes show more resistance too), to the imperfect ratios, and to the tyres. Now the Nexus7 will definitely help with getting the right ratio, but I can't think of any particular reason why it should be lower drag than the SA, and if the tyres aren't going to make a lot of difference either.....
Oh well, I can build it, and then we'll see. I could never get the seat quite high enough on the standard post, and just improving that should make a really notable difference.
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