Introductions - I am Ama.......

I presently don't ride nearly as much as I would like to, much like my hubby. I have a Specialized Hard Rock and my newest toy is a Raleigh 20 with a Stermy Archer "grip shift". Original, and the only thing to be changed is the tires. It currently has white walls - which I would love to keep - but apparently they aren't as sturdy, so we will be putting regular BMX tires on it. It is purple, and completes my color favorite bikes.....the specialized is red and black.

Once there was a time when I was proud of my Toys' R Us bike - it was soooo pretty. Pink and Turqouise, now, I was about 14 then, and I had saved up for most of it. Now, with a cyclist as a hubby I know the errors that Big Box stores make with bikes and am grateful that I have what I have now. I have been no stranger to road burn and falling. I am not one of these "girls" who gets wimpy about riding. I know I can't hang so much with the boys now, but, I used to almost be able to. Now, I hope to join in the fixing and upkeep of my bikes.

The desire is there, the want is there, and now - so is the motivation to learn. I have no car, and if my hubby can commute then I can too.... We just have to get the Raleigh tuned up and her new tires on.

That's all I can think of for now..........

Ama

Howdy and welcome to the forums.

I'm not aware that whitewalls are inherently weaker. But I have noticed that in the same tire sizes, the pressure rating can vary, and presumably, the higher pressure tires are able to better handle the load and all. I just bought an old work bike with tires that say "inflate to 30-35 psi", while the indentical size tires on my bike are rated for 50 psi. And those are both blackwall tires.

I've found Niagara Cycle to have good stock of low-end tires, although they don't show you those pressure ratings. http://www.niagaracycle.com/ Here locally, the 26x2.125" tires are all either whitewall or knobbies, I have to go mail order for the ones I want.

Welcome anboard, great to see another Florida cyclist here.

Bill

Thanks for the warm welcome. I will tell hubby about that link, and maybe check it out. Although now I am getting used to the idea that my Raleigh will have black tires. New ones should be in next week sometime......I think that's what I was told.

Hmm.....qcpmsame, retired or current marine? Got a buddy of mine that's at his very first duty staton in Cuba.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q70/amakaliani/IMG_0505-1.jpg

I'm so jealous of that 20! Even though it's purple. :) Welcome.