badmother

I like the cream tyres a lot, only have one bike w cream so far and one bike with 2,35 BA`s. Finding fenders to fit is a challenge!

I want to buy BA`s for my sons 90`s MTB this year but not sure about colour. Dark green bike, dark green Brooks. Any suggestion for tyre colour?

(I know it is the wrong thread, sorry.)

Elvis Shumaker

Despite -3c the roads were clear enough yesterday, so I combined a dash to the shops with a little test ride.

On what little good road surface we have the Big Apples seemed smooth and quiet, on an unexpected uphill stretch of hardpacked snow they didn't spin or squirm either. Nearby stony tracks are still too icy for comfort but I'd have liked to try them.

Where they did come into their own is on our apologies for bike lanes (patched tarmac, little potholes, paving stones, sprayed up grit from the road) - here the ride is noticeably smoother and subjectively faster.

Also, unless this was some kind of placebo effect, they allowed 'no hands' riding which the stock tyres never permitted.

.

Elvis Shumaker

Cream tyres have an agreeably non-aggressive look about them - and higher visibility too.

badmother

Thank you, I may go for cream then. I was worryed they are "girly" but if BNB and you bot like them I guess they are not.

Sixty Fiver

With Marathons the Plus is overkill unless you have to face piles of glass or have goatheads... the basic Marathon is a great tyre and I run mine at 70psi on my folder, the Marathon racer is a little lighter and still has good puncture resistance. For speedier adventures I run Comet Primos which roll out at 80-90 psi and with the lighter faster tyre you lose some durability and their mileage life is about half of a Marathon.

Big Apples are a great tyre that offer a smooth ride and good performance with good puncture resistance.

noteon 

I'm a longtime user and big fan of the 20" Marathon Plus. I have a pair on my NYC commuting folder.

60-80 P.S.I., depending on rider sluggardliness.

Elvis Shumaker

^
If I were commuting (i.e. to and from gainful work as opposed to my pattern of shopping, errands and pleasure riding), Marathon Plus would have been my first choice. There is a lot to be said for the peace of mind that kind of flat protection must give you.

noglider 

What about a 20" tire that isn't quite as durable but makes for a nice, fast ride? What would you folks recommend?

smallwheeler

primo comet

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Primo-Comet-...item53f27e4893

noglider 

Thanks. It's rated at 100 psi. Is there any reason to inflate a tire of that size to such a high pressure?

sreten

Hi,

As far as I understand it and my experience, no, not at all.
100 psi is a lot for a 1.5" tyre, about half makes more sense,
More for the rear and less for the front generally.

rgds, sreten.

dynaryder

Racing,which is what that tire is designed for.

BassNotBass

Not for my purposes.

smallwheeler

they are designed as "road slicks". they are very good tires. the sidewalls are a bit thinner than say, a schwalbe kojak.

the final answer on all things related to tire pressure is this: inflate it as you like it.

for yours truly, i like it firm and fruity:


then again, i usually feel more comfy in a DRESS.

smallwheeler

believe it or not, these high pressure tires are designed by the manufacturer to be inflated to high pressures. the idea that you would plod around on these tires at 50 psi seems goofy. if you needed to jump pavement or inadvertently rolled into a shallow depression, the likelihood of a pinched-tube flat or even a bent rim would be quite likely. just saying'

noglider 

OK, I ordered a pair of the Primo Comets. I'm building new wheels for my old Raleigh Twenty. We'll see how it goes. Thanks.

smallwheeler

hmm are you using the original rims from the twenty? sorry, i didnt know thats what you were up to. the primos may not work with those wide rims... oops.

noglider 

No, I ordered some narrower aluminum rims, too.

smallwheeler

good man. what hubs are you using? or did i miss the posts where you explained all this

badmother

Like the "bridesmaid" with the beard? Hmm.., does not look quite right...

By the way, "firm and fruity"- sounds like BA`s!

noteon 

I've noticed that Primo Comets are no faster than Marathon Pluses, given certain standard-issue engines.

noglider 

I haven't decided yet. I think I'll use a Sturmey Archer drum brake hub in the front. I might use the original AW in the rear. I also have an AB hub which is a 3-speed with a drum brake. But it's missing parts, and I have to figure out what parts to get (or make) in order to make the brake work. Should I post about that here or somewhere else? If I can think of a good way to get a good rear caliper brake on without using the AB hub, that would be nice.

smallwheeler

i think it would be a good idea to start a thread dedicated to the project as a whole.

smallwheeler

surely it does!

also: WOOF! WOOF!

badmother

+1 Noglider, new thread and keep us updated. We really need such threads to keep us entertained in the winter (and to keep our mind away from bearded guys in dresses ).