Originally Posted by
Abe_Froman
I dunno. I used to think a few watts makes zero difference...but I've sort of changed my tune - a bit. I started looking around for new tires at the end of last year. It became a bit of an obsession...I researched every single pavement tire on bikerollingresistance.com...and ended up switching from basically the slowest touring tire (Vittoria Randonneur) to the 2nd or 3rd fastest touring tire (Vittoria Voyager Hyper). It was a difference of 10 watts or so.
It's definitely noticeable. Not mind blowingly faster of course...I had on a no tread tire previously, it wasn't like I went from a 3 inch off road knobby to a racing tire. But I definitely felt it. Or...placebo effect from spending so much time picking out a tire? Who knows lol.
I agree with ya. I have a set of those Victoria Randonneurs. A bit stiff, slow, heavy. Came on a bike I bought, and I quickly took them off. They have *twice* the rolling resistance of the conti’s above. That is something I can feel.
Maybe it’s just me who can’t tell a difference in a couple watts (when I'm not racing). LOL. At 80 psi, the 4000s takes 13.7 watts. The 4 season 19.8 watts.
When I’m on the 4000s’ I put out the same power as when I am on the 4 seasons. So, the only difference I can “feel” is a slight decrease in speed. But I don’t measure it that precisely. I’m putting out roughly 250 watts either way, and it makes zero measureable difference in my commute time
Like Paul H said – when I take my deep lugged studded tires off, I go a LOT faster. But between the two continental tires, nothing I can measure in non competitive conditions.
What I do notice about tires, like the 4 season and the 4000 is:
• Volume (4000s is larger than named, the 4 season smaller).
• Suppleness (both these are pretty supple)
• Weight – how easy they accelerate and climb
• Puncture resistance (very different again here).
• Rolling resistance or cruising speed – not so much here.