Going Phantom Aero on the FMB naturals. Photo: Rouleur.cc
Tradition and innovation are the two opposing edges that cut our evolution through the fabric of our sport. Tradition grounds us, while innovation ensures we advance ever forward. The problem with tradition is that it is comforting and familiar, often shielding us from adopting newer, improved practices and technology. The trouble with innovation is that its freshness can blind us from being able to distinguish non-functional novelties from material improvements. We must learn to distinguish between a reluctance to change and an appreciation for a well-refined way of doing things.
When it comes to the evolution of aesthetics, a clouding factor are the fads that intersperse fashion trends. Trends tend to have a cyclical nature to them as they come in and out of style, each iteration mutated slightly from the previous. Fads, on the other hand, are blips on the continuum that tend not to reappear. Unfortunately we often can’t tell the difference until some time later, when we are left with distressing photographic evidence of our failures to tell the former from the latter. Fluro colors are an example of a trend (whose reemergence we are currently experiencing) while parachute pants are an example of a fad (whose reemergence would presumably signal the coming apocalypse.)
In Cycling, colored tires emerged innocently enough, allowing for riders to playfully match the color of the tire’s tread or sidewall to the color of their frame or kit. Or to nothing at all, depending on the savagery of their personal style. Prior to the mid-nineties, tires could be any color you wanted, so long as the tread was black and the sidewalls tan; they matched every paint scheme imaginable and always Looked Fantastic.
Colored tires introduced a stylistic weapon whose power most riders did not possess the aesthetic nuance to control, like young Luke Skywalker heading off to Bespin to face Darth Vader. Chaos ensued, limbs were lopped off. In the right hands, the colored tire could be wielded like Jackson Pollock wielded an overloaded paintbrush. Marco Pantani’s 1998 Bianchi was an aesthetic masterpiece which has yet to see its equal. But the damage done by misguided overuse left lasting ripples (and in some cases trauma); eventually this unwieldy power was returned to the fiery depths of Mount Velomis.
The lasting effect that we feel to this day is the advent of the black sidewalls; when combined with the modern deep section wheel they makes for a monolithic mass of rim and tire. This is by no means a bad look; when deployed in the right circumstances it has a Spinal Tap Black effect which can be used for intimidation. The natural sidewall, on the other hand, gives a clean delineation between rim and tire, harkening back to the days when tires came in every combination of black tread and tan you could ever want.
Having options gives the illusion of freedom when in fact it is the choice to simplify that truly leads to liberty. Choose natural sidewalls and your bicycle’s simple beauty will emerge gracefully. And always remember: friends don’t let friends ride clinchers.
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@wiscot
That's just stupidity. One, for giving his spares away and two, butyls are for spares. I can't deny they have the advantage when it comes to being repairable.
As for puncture protection I think you were just lucky. I've found that the greater elasticity of the latex means they're more resistant.
@ChrisO
That's what we thought. If there's one time you want to be as reliable as possible, it's on an a 175 kms, basically unsupported gravel ride through a remote forest. I rode my graveur twice the previous week to make sure everything was a-ok.
One of our guys gave him a patch and he had a pump. I like to think we got through with no punctures because we all rode good tires at the right pressure. I rode Kenda Happy Mediums (as recommended by Brett for the Heck of the North) at a low 50 psi. (I'm 6'1" and in around 190 lbs). The issue was the inconsistency of the gravel: it went from hard pack and fast, to very soft sandy gravel, to really hard packed dirt. And throw in a few miles of asphalt too. Fantastic ride and really looking forward to the Hibernator 100 in the fall.
@chriso @wiscot
If I give away my last spare it's on the basis that a) we stay together and b) if I puncture I'm having it back (though I do carry patches too).
I still haven't quite got over the fact that Vittoria appear to have dropped the Pave from their line up. A sublime mix of aesthetics and tradition. I've got both the tubulars and open tubulars (not sure I'd be able to tell the difference if they were on similar rims and identical hubs).
Fortunately there still seem to be some about if you look around a bit. Like @ChrisO I've got some of the wonder material G+ corsa tubulars to try out but it doesn't matter how tough they turn out to be, they're not green.
I don't think I'll ever be able to afford FMBs to keep with the green.
@chris
About time I changed the winter Pave back to summer Corsa but will need some new as the old are pretty shot so will also go with the G+ Open. Might also have to get a stock of Pave. I was tempted to try the tubeless version but it's only in 23mm at the moment or so it seems.
@chris
The best thing is that the FMB Paris Roubaix "non-Pro" come in gum sidewall and "only" go for $110. Yes, it is till a LOT for a single tub but it looks fantastic and beats the PR Pro price of $160. I am going to run the "non-Pro" gumwall 27 on my new wheelset. Cannot wait!
http://www.fmbtires.com/fmb_paris_roubaix.htm
My Canyon ULT CF SLX awaiting post-race bath.
Black on black works too.
@fignons barber
It cleaned up nicely then.
Is it wrong to have natural sidewalls on all three natural bikes? I was thinking it was, so I mounted an all black Veloflex Master on my Tommasini. Have the natural on the rear, all black on the front. Can't decide if I like the look of the black as much.
Also, Vittoria Corsa 25s are noticeably wider than the 23s. Veloflex...I have a 23 on the rear, 25 on the front and it sure as hell looks darn narrow. I'll pull out the Verniers tonight.