Just listened to this podcast earlier today. Hard to argue with a lot of their findings. As a guy who started riding in the mid-80s, I certainly fell into the trap of skinny, harder tires are faster (because they feel faster), but I've come around and am convinced that I was wrong. I have a set of 21mm Vittoria Corsa CX tubulars on one of my wheelsets and can't wait until I wear them out. May just put them to pasture before their time. I like Jan's analogy of a Jeep vs. a Mercedes traveling at high speed: just because one may feel faster (i.e. more rattle) doesn't mean it is. I found it particularly interesting to hear him talk about the watts absorbed by the body itself when the bumps aren't absorbed by the tires.

Also intrigued by the former Zipp wheels technician discussing advantages of latex tubes. About half of my bikes have latex tubulars and half have butyl clinchers. I don't like to be troubled with having to inflate my latex-tubed tubulars and worry about the long-term effects of storing deflated tire casings; however, maybe I'm discounting the resistance advantage of latex tubes.

I didn't mind the small amount of self-promotion regarding Compass tires. I think overall his self-promotion was minimal considering the amount of testing and knowledge Jan Heine has accumulated on the topic. He is developing products that advance performance based on years of science-based research. More power to him and good for the rest of us.

Next ride I am taking some air out. Good thing tubulars aren't prone to pinch flats.

(Side-note: I am way over-committed on podcast subscriptions--mostly history-, comedy- and baseball-related.)