Folding Bikes - Fastest 305 Tyres

Ok, I'm frustrated by the fact that new-fatherhood means I've done nothing on my Raleigh 20 project, so to take the edge off, I'm starting to prepare in earnest (mentally) for my road-rocket Moulton Mini project. These bikes have 14" wheels, but can apparently be fitted with 305 16" rims instead, but the selection of tyres seems rather small. I know that Big Apples are available, but I'm unsure how appropriate these would be on a roadie-killer, and also unsure whether I'll get them on a bike where the 305's are a tight fit anyway.

I can find Schwalbe Marathons (great tyres, but not the fastest) City Jets (I know nothing), Maxxis Hookworms (I've heard they're fast), Kenda Kwests, and Comets. In my mind, something high pressure like Brompton Greens or Schwalbe Stelvios would be ideal, but no such thing seems to exist. I understand from Jur's rolldown tests (it was Jur, right?) that higher pressure tyres are by no means always fastest, so lets have your opinions - are there other tyres I ought to consider, or if not, which are the best of these?

Lookout for other stupid questions around this project as time goes on.....

Although I can't answer your question, I'd be a bit skeptical about any rolldown tests as rollldown tests are inherently biased towards favoring heavier bikes (which have more energy at the top of the hill).

All the more careful testing I've seen (both roller drum tests and repeated timed loops) seem to indicate that higher pressure is always faster along with larger diameter and larger width. However, I remain skeptical as to whether the differences are large enough to matter in the real world (or canceled out by the biomechnical burden of extra weight needed for larger diameter and larger width).

I believe the tests in question were carried out on the same bike, but I could be wrong. I know that experientially, some tyres are a LOT faster than others.

Hmmmm, looks like the comets are your best bet. My experiments with them have been good.

-G

I believe the tests in question were carried out on the same bike, but I could be wrong. I know that experientially, some tyres are a LOT faster than others.

Still, it would favor the heavier tires.

Yes, it would, and looking back over the threads, my memory is in error anyway.

+1 on the Comets. There are a few sizes diameter available as well.

The rolldown tests were to compare tyre pressures on the same bike but the details are hazy, all I remember was that tyre pressure is just about irrelevant, other factors so completely dominate that pump whatever you want and forget about what you feel.

I did also test a few bikes against each other and there as well other factors dominated. The one with the supposedly best tyres wasn't fastest.

Primo Comet in 305-40 (16" x 1.5") http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=937&idcategory=107

Unless you weigh less than one of the Olson twins, the 40mm will be faster than the 37mm. Despite there only being 3mm difference in nominal sizes, the 40s are about 5.5mm wider. As supple as a condom and capable of running 100 psi. On real world roads, 65 - 75 psi will be faster than 100. With 305s you pretty much have to run the 37s at 100 psi to protect the rim.