Can new tires make you climb better? Or am I crazy?
11-29-13, 09:36 PM
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Can new tires make you climb better? Or am I crazy?
My Uncle gave me a set of Gatorskins that he wasn't using to replace my tires that came on my Giant Escape.
Today was my first day riding with them. I checked my top speed and I was a couple MPH faster but it seems like I climb easier with them.
Is it all in my head?
Today was my first day riding with them. I checked my top speed and I was a couple MPH faster but it seems like I climb easier with them.
Is it all in my head?
11-29-13, 10:58 PM
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Sounds completely logical to me. If you approached each ascent faster, then you must have begun each ascent with greater momentum. Greater momentum provided greater energy to help push you up the hill! 
11-30-13, 12:50 AM
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Not enough info to make a reasonable response really. What size, brand and PSI was you running in the old tires? What size Gatorskins?
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11-30-13, 03:33 AM
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Could be that the stock 700x32 tires were built on the heavy and durable side, and the Gatorskins feel lighter and easier to propel. It happens.
11-30-13, 06:44 AM
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11-30-13, 06:57 AM
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I think that we often measure the wrong things. What we really need is a "fun meter" for our bikes.
It sounds to me like you are having more fun since you installed the new tires. Who cares why?
It sounds to me like you are having more fun since you installed the new tires. Who cares why?
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11-30-13, 07:12 AM
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I do tend to keep track of everything though. I use Endomondo for all my rides.
11-30-13, 09:54 AM
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A couple of months ago, I recalibrated both my bikes' speedo-puters by measuring the wheel circumference along a driveway seam, rather than the tire size guidelines. Previously the GPS readings were three-tenths of a mile shorter than what each bike odometer said over 9 miles. And both odometers matched each other. I had had some random GPS oddities so I figured the GPS was innacurate due to signal strength, reflection, etc. Well, after the calibration, they all match now perfectly. However my speeds now read slightly slower, about 1.5 to 2mph under what I was used to. Such a small inaccuracy, but such a big difference.
11-30-13, 09:55 AM
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11-30-13, 10:04 AM
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However, this is a big change in size/PSI so you may be experiencing less rolling resistance and are getting a little extra speed out of the tires.
11-30-13, 10:12 AM
#14
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In that case the tires did make a difference as they were lighter, probably smoother, and had a higher PSI. Or you were just having a very good day. Or both!
Speaking of PSI, I run 700x25s at 90 to 100 psi and I weigh 215. You probably could go down to 80-90 psi with those 28s without any loss of speed.
Speaking of PSI, I run 700x25s at 90 to 100 psi and I weigh 215. You probably could go down to 80-90 psi with those 28s without any loss of speed.
11-30-13, 10:17 AM
#15
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Stock Giant 700x32 Hybrid tires at 65 PSI.
but nice guessing game. i say Blue. aquamarine Blue.
larger volume tires operate at a lower PSI, thinner ones, higher ,
More rubber weighs more than less rubber
thinner tread in the lighter tire.
thanks for coming.
Last edited by fietsbob; 11-30-13 at 11:54 AM.
11-30-13, 10:33 AM
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This is what the Website says they came with.
Giant S-X3, 700x32
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...specifications
11-30-13, 10:47 AM
#17
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Giant is truly huge, they Manufacture Bikes for multiple Brand names around the world ,
and can easily get an 'X' tire shipped by the thousands with their name on it.
so another easy to ask question with no good answer why.
and can easily get an 'X' tire shipped by the thousands with their name on it.
so another easy to ask question with no good answer why.
11-30-13, 11:01 AM
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If your CPU says you're going faster then you're going faster but I reckon it's your mentality rather than your tyres. Little adjustments have an influence on most of us and a change of tyres, a new saddle or a new piece of clothing can influence our performance. Things such as cycling early in the morning for the first time in a long time can also have a positive influence. You should actually make adjustments to your schedule from time to time to see if it does have a positive influence.
11-30-13, 11:47 AM
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When I swapped tires on my commuter (old rigid mountain bike) a few years ago and dropped about 1 pound off each wheel my speed and climbing got faster and more fun. Nothing that would win a race, but a bit zippier.
11-30-13, 11:50 AM
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Link to his previous tires: https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...res/557/38556/
Link to his new tires: https://www.conti-online.com/www/bicy...orskin_en.html
Pretty obvious why it's faster.....
Link to his new tires: https://www.conti-online.com/www/bicy...orskin_en.html
Pretty obvious why it's faster.....
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