Folding Bikes - Just fitted a pair of Schwalbe Kojaks to my Brompton

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PDA
PDR
05-12-09, 03:14 PM
I ordered my new Brompton with Schwalbe Stelvio tyres. I noticed slight bulges / kinks in both tyres with the rear being worse than the front. Over the weeks they steadily got worse to the point of making the bike shimmy and unstable while going fast downhill.

I ordered a pair of 32-349 Schwalbe Kojaks and spare inner tubes. Upon striping out the original tubes I noted an uneven profile so the problem could be partially tubes and tyres.
You might be able to see the twist / bulge in the front tyre in this photo (there is the bulge in the centre and you might see the twist by following the line of the rim, top edge in the foreground). http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr17/venomherps/158.jpg

I fitted the Kojaks without any trouble and took the bike for a ride..... what an improvement, much better. I’m really pleased. :thumb:The real test will be the fast downhill ride to the railway station tomorrow evening.:D
http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr17/venomherps/166.jpg

fastgir
05-13-09, 05:36 AM
Hi! Thanks for your your brommie 2 speed postings, i love to see more of it. Regarding the stelvios, has to be production fault to the tube/tire? How was it to ride on when they where ok? compared to the kojaks? Is it a wired tire or folding? I would like to see the 2 speed gearing system in some close up photos, have not been able to find it on the net. Do you have some of your beautiful bike? I`m ordering a s2l, without rack/guards. Would love to hear more about the gearing in use, smoothness, range, durability, Best regards
S
PDR
05-13-09, 06:27 AM
I’m sure there must have been a bad batch of tyres and tubes. Even with the tyre removed from the rims you can see the twist in the tyres. I also pumped up the inner tubes and they took on an irregular shape. The bulges/twists where there when the bike arrived so I’ve not had chance to ride a bike with perfect Stelvios & tubes. The bike never felt quite “right” with the Stelvios, but I’d run my 2008 Dahon MU SL on Kojaks for 12 months and they were superb.

I’ll try and take a few close up photos for you.

It is nice to know that people are interested in my bike and my ramblings :D
Cheers,
Paul

PDR
05-13-09, 01:17 PM
Well I must say that the Kojaks are a vast improvement. :D

I rode a new route to the station on Monday evening over a high fly over with lots of traffic and downhill gradient. I had to slow down as the bike felt so unstable. Tonight however with the Kojaks I was able to go as fast I could without any problem, the bike felt so much more stable.:thumb:
fastgir
05-13-09, 03:07 PM
Was the kojaks folding tire or wired? looking forward to see the pictures:)
Thanks:)
S
KitN
05-13-09, 03:44 PM
PDR, I love seeing pics of your Brommie. Dead sexy! :)

Are the Kojacks slicks? I'm looking for "faster" tires for my current 16" folder. Any recommendations?
PDR
05-13-09, 03:44 PM
Was the kojaks folding tire or wired? looking forward to see the pictures:)
Thanks:)
S

OOOPs, yes they are folding (lighter that the wire beads).