Originally Posted by
MilitantPotato
I'm not saying the average commuter would benefit from these tires, most people wont. I'm just of the opinion that there are people in situations that would feel these tires are perfect...there's times when a flat is a major safety risk, or if time=money (messengers, delivery bikes, if being late costs a days pay,) then I could see these being fairly useful.
There's also people who own a bike as a tool, who can't be bothered changing a tire, don't push their handling performance to the edge, and don't care if a ride is a little bumpy. They want to get here to there without worrying about the next nail or rock that might come along...
Agreed. They have their place. I think if I were commuting 10 miles or less urban/high traffic/gentle terrain I'd still be using them. It was the grind of a 40 mi rt daily for about a year that got me burned out on them. They are alot slower than comparable pnenumatics. 1-3 mph, easily. And climbing the one 18% grade hill every night didn't help either. Like I said in my earlier post I still have all 3 sets. If my life situation changes radically and I'm commuting urban again I'll be set.
For me SMPs bridged the gap between 100% flat free and flat resistance w/o tire liners. Used Mr. Tuffys for years, but on an mtb w/low psi tires. When I switched to 700 road tires and kept getting pinch flats the connection wasn't made right away. I thought I was doing something wrong. Then I read a thread about high psi, tire liners and 'cutflats'. Had an 'aha' moment and decided to get the SMPs.