Ronius_Maximus

Hi, I thought i'd post here rather than the clyde forum since they never want to talk to me about Fixies in the clyde forum. I'm shopping for tires for my Specialized Langster. I am a clyde at 6'4" 250 pounds, and have always been advised to stay away from 700x23c. On my road bike, I use 700x28c Gatorskins and that's the skinniest tire I ride on. I went shopping for 700x28 tires and I could not find a a decent pair for a decent price. The cheaper tires got horrible reviews in 700x28 and there was gatorskins but I didn't feel like shelling out around $100 on gatorskins for my Fixie since i'm still getting into it. I did see a set of Vitoria Zaffiro II tires that were a good price but the only size they had was 700x25c.

On the 58cm Specialized Langster I have, 700x28 is really pushing it in the back as the fit is very tight as-is with 700x28 tire. I know a 700x25 would fit better but can it hold me with my weight? Thanks

LanEvo

I think you can, I have ridden on 25s for a good number of miles on my friends KHS, he weighs around or a bit more than me. I weigh around 210( a little less now, started dieting), and I do just fine. I think it is only pushing the 23s, where weights comes into play, like a 200 - 220 weight limit I would say. I know 28s work for sure, because I used to ride around in a beater Raleigh installed with those.

LessonLearned

Order 28's online. Prices are way better. Problem solved.

https://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/st...0052&langId=-1
$26.99

Jared.

Second. I really like my Randos. They are tough, and they seem narrower than my Paselas at the same width. Horrible to mount though. It is what caused me to pick up the Kool Stop tire bead jack.

LessonLearned

I've mounted 3 sets with no problems. 2 sets on Alex rims and one set on Velocity rims. I had to use a single plastic Pedro lever but no lube or elbow grease or anything.
But yes, they're good tires. Heavier than some I guess, but certainly no issues with flat tires.

Jaytron

These are awesome.

ddeadserious

Seriously. I asked the guys at the bike shop I started working at, if they'd tried it and they had never even heard of it. I gotta take it in one of these days, it's the best tool for stubborn tires.

prooftheory

Is it even possible to mount gatorskins without one?

ddeadserious

I wouldn't even try.

LessonLearned

I've mounted gatorskins on my Alex rims several times with pedro levers. Those were a beotch to get on though, I will admit. But Randos are easy.

Scrodzilla

ddeadserious

Same is true for a different bike shop I used to go to. Apparently, Michiganders aren't in on the secret Bead Jack tool.

ValVal

I always mount gatorskins on my alex DA22 without levers. If needed i even can unmount them without levers thought it is easier with...

jimblairo

I', 6'6" and 250 lbs and ride Conti 4 seasons 700X25 with 110 psi rear and 100 front. Never had a flat on them.

JohnDThompson 

I used to be able to mount any tire without using tools. But now, at 57 years old, I have arthritis in my hands and need to use a bead jack on some tires.

prooftheory

The one time I tried to mount folding 23c gatorskins on my kinlins without the bead jack I broke two levers and had to resort to using tableware. I can do fingertip pushups without any trouble so I don't think it is because I have wimpy hands.

ddeadserious

It's mostly because Gatorskins are dickheads. Continental should start including bead jacks with all gatorskin/hardshell purchases.

ValVal

Regular climber, so strong fingers here But i think it's depends more on the rims. I've also tried on mavic a319 and zac 19, some are harder than others. Every time, pushing the beads at the center of the rim created enough loose to mount them without levers.

LessonLearned

I agree to some extent. Work smarter, not harder. But man that is impressive if you really mount those badboys with no tools. Do you grunt at all? Or no grunt?

carleton

Why? I'm 250lbs (or less depending on the time in the season) and I've only ridden 23c tires on my fixed and road bikes for years. I've actually never ridden any larger sizes.

I'm not saying that you should ride 23c. I'm just saying that there is no real reason not to.

I currently use Gatorskins because I hate changing flats. I don't mind the added weight.

carleton

I forgot to add:

I've never had any unusual issues. I pump the tires to 120PSI or more if the tire is rated for more.

g0tr00t

You guys have me thinking..as far as a "tire" for a fixie/singlespeed, the gatorskins have to be mounted a certain direction since they are directional. What tires are as durable as gatorskins, but let you flip/flop them around? Yes, I've searched, but is a good rolling tired, great puncture resistance, bi-drectional AND affordable out there? So, fast, good and cheap

ddeadserious

Gatorskins' directional tread is just aesthetics. If you want them, don't worry about tread direction when flipping the wheel around.

carleton

+1

I used to think that directional threads mattered. But, they don't. It's just for show...and marketing. Probably something borrowed from that auto tire game, where directional threads do matter.

g0tr00t

Cool thanks guys