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Poor roads - wheel and tire set-up for more comfort

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Old 03-28-10, 07:42 AM
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Poor roads - wheel and tire set-up for more comfort

The roads are quite poor where I live, especially after a hard winter and I need advice on how to set up my wheels for a little more comfort.

I have a Tommasini with 22c Veloflex Pave clinchers and Ambrosio Prisma Elite Durex wheels. Great... sorry, make that GREAT... bike, but a hard ride on these poor roads.

I tried my other wheelset - Mavic Open Pro's with Continental 4 Seasons 25c's and the bike was sooooooo much more comfortable - and only a little less lively.

My questions:
Could I get more comfort from the 22c's by reducing the pressure - if so, how low do I go? (I'm 90kg)
Should I just swap the Veloflex's for the Conti's and rely on the extra volume to give me the comfort?
How much, if anything, are the super-light Ambrosio rims contributing to the hard ride?
Have you any other suggestions on how I can keep a good feel, but increase comfort a little?

BTW. I bought the Veloflex 22's because they have traditional tan sidewalls that suit the bike.

Thanks.
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Old 03-28-10, 07:47 AM
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Larger tires = more comfort in my ride.
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Old 03-28-10, 08:09 AM
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Its those tires. They are pretty small so going with a larger tire will give you more comfort
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Old 03-28-10, 08:42 AM
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Could I get more comfort from the 22c's by reducing the pressure - if so, how low do I go?
I used to use 125 psi in my 700 x 23c tires. I now ride at 90 psi and prefer it. There's an article around talking about "drop" and comfort. Perhaps someone else is less lazy than I and will find it for you.
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Old 03-28-10, 12:11 PM
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I went out today after posting the question and it was painful after about 25 miles. I'm running the Veloflex's at 90psi - I'd hate to reduce the pressure even more, so I guess I'll go with the bigger tyres (sorry, tires!).

Out of interest - any mathematicians who know the difference in volume between a 22c and 25c?
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Old 03-28-10, 12:18 PM
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very timely thread. some of the roads i ride on have turned from smooth velvet to rough washboard over the winter and i can barely ride over them without fearing for my wheels.
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Old 03-28-10, 12:23 PM
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this is why I love my CX bike.

just pop in some 700x35mm panaracer paselas in them, and the added comfort is amazing.

PS. your tires will have an ideal pressure for your weight.
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Old 03-28-10, 12:24 PM
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Can you fit a 28C tire in your bike? Try the Veloflax Roubaix tires. If they fit you'd be happy.
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Old 03-28-10, 12:58 PM
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Boy, have I been waiting for this thread....... LOL

You need a "Hybrid" ---- with some of those big, fat, 35, 40, or 45's , spinning on them hubs......... Get the right bike for the job !!!!!

p.s. You're welcome on the Hybrid Forum, any time........
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Old 03-28-10, 01:17 PM
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Ha! Cyclocross... hybrids... as soon as I sell my Pinarello I'll be after a Cannondale CX9, but the Tommasini is going nowhere - that one's for life.

28c won't fit - 25c is pretty tight to the seat tube.

Comfort-wise the 25c seems a massive difference to the 22c... hence the question about volume.
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Old 03-28-10, 01:22 PM
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also make sure you're not over inflating the tire
Originally Posted by psimet's tip of the day
Tire Width=20: Pressure(psi) = (0.33 * Rider Weight in lbs) + 63.33
Tire Width=23: Pressure(psi) = (0.33 * Rider Weight in lbs) + 53.33
Tire Width=25: Pressure(psi) = (0.33 * Rider Weight in lbs) + 43.33
Tire Width=28: Pressure(psi) = (0.33 * Rider Weight in lbs) + 33.33

Tire Width=32: Pressure(psi) = (0.17 * Rider Weight in lbs) + 41.67
Tire Width=37: Pressure(psi) = (0.17 * Rider Weight in lbs) + 26.67


Example: You are 150lbs running 28's

Pressure (psi) = (0.33*150) +33.33 = 82.83psi (rear)
Front Pressure = .9*Rear Pressure = .9*82.83psi = 74.55psi front
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Old 03-28-10, 05:07 PM
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Here is a handy chart from Rivendell Bicycle Works

https://www.rivbike.com/assets/full/0...ick_a_tire.pdf
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Old 03-28-10, 05:12 PM
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Originally Posted by FlatSix911
Here is a handy chart from Rivendell Bicycle Works

https://www.rivbike.com/assets/full/0...ick_a_tire.pdf
that rivendell chart is bonkers because the marketing department created it.
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Old 03-28-10, 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
Larger tires = more comfort in my ride.

It's not the size of the tire; It's the air pressure. Everything else equal larger tires allow lower pressure, and therefore increase comfort. But it's more a function of ari pressure than tire size.

For example, a 25c tire at 120 psi is going to be more uncomfortable than a 23c at 100 psi.

Originally Posted by Monkey Face
Could I get more comfort from the 22c's by reducing the pressure - if so, how low do I go? (I'm 90kg)
Likely, and the charts are good starting point, but just a guide. The issue is at what pressure do you start getting pinch flats, and some people are lighter on their tires than others. That said I bet you can easily ride 22c tires at 100psi without excessive pinch flats. maybe lower if you're light on your tires.
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Old 03-28-10, 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by EEO
that rivendell chart is bonkers because the marketing department created it.
Actually, it is a nice starting point for those folks who need a decent tire size recommendation ... YMMV ...
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Old 03-29-10, 01:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Monkey Face
I guess I'll go with the bigger tyres (sorry, tires!).
Oi! Don't apologise for speaking English!
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Old 03-29-10, 02:25 AM
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It was an ironic apology... every now and then I like to make the point!
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Old 03-29-10, 02:34 AM
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Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
It's not the size of the tire; It's the air pressure...
I'm not so sure about that. A wider tyre has more surface in contact with the road, to aggregate the little impacts more effectively. At equal pressures, I'd have thought the extra volume in a bigger tyre would also absorb the impacts more effectively... spreading the impact (in all directions within the tube) through a bigger volume of air.
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