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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@gilly
I'm running Latex tubes and was asked "what's the diff?"
Latex is like a gym ball, butyl is like a balloon.
And there's the nice hum on the road with latex. Sucks you have to pump up before each ride.
@gilly
No, I'm in the same camp when it comes to clinchers and tubs.
I've run Open Corsa clinchers with latex tubes on Enve 3.4s and now I'm running Corsa tubs on HED Stinger 6s, both on the same bike, and I really don't think there's much objective difference between them, at least not from the tyres.
However despite my lack of sensitivity in most wheel/tyre comparisons I absolutely can feel the difference between latex and butyl tubes in the Corsas. It's not just the noise, it's the way the tyre shapes and grips.
Maybe it wouldn't be the same in other tyres - the Corsas are supposed to be just an open version of the tub so I guess it would make sense they felt best with the stuff that they were designed to have inside them.
@gilly
No, you're completely right. If there could be such a thing as a blind test I think almost everyone posting here would struggle to feel the difference between a tub and a top-end clincher on the road.
@sthilzy
Such recklessness! Regardless of whether you're using clinchers or tubs, latex or butyl doesn't the pressure check and pump as necessary have its place in the pre-ride checklist?
To not let some air out and then pump the tyre back up to just so pressure (rear first, then front obviously) would risk all sort of unmentionable horrors in the same way that putting my right shoe on before my left or doing up the velcro straps before the ratchet would be courting disaster.
@chris
Most pre-ride pressure check, is to flick the tyre a couple of times and hear the "pinginess". If it sounds crisp, off I go. If tyre flick sounds a little dull, pump em up!
@gilly
But your Cycling Soul could feel the difference and THAT is what matters, no? I mean, what is a Velominatus without a Soul?
This is heart of the matter around here. Sure, you might not SENSE the difference but if you KNOW the difference in your Cycling Soul, you will FEEL faster and smoother, ergo you will BE Faster and Smoother.
If I HAD to make a choice between proper inflation and or clean bike. Proper inflation always wins.
Okay, let's be clear here. I ride in mostly clean and dry conditions. The bike stays petty clean on its own, even for a white bike.
Wet, dirty rides. The bike gets a bath before I do.
@sthilzy
It's called Cycling Foreplay, Mate!
Every steed needs a little love and attention before it is willing to give its best, right?
Boy, Frank knows how to open the big cans of worms, doesn't he? Clinchers v tubs, black walls v tan walls, latex v butyl tubes, pre-ride tire pumping and routines, color of shoes. I think this article will keep us busy until the Tour!
As for me? Currently running all-black tires on all machines. I used to race on tubs and they were great. (Clement Criteriums if I remember). If/when I punctured I'd send them away to some guy who advertized in the small ads at the back of Cycling Weekly to fix them. I wasn't going to ruin a good tire by screwing with it myself.
Butyl tubes. When I rode the 175 kms Bear 100 gravel ride recently, we came across one of the most pitiful sights I've ever seen: A guy was riding latex tubes. He'd given his spares to a buddy (who was nowhere to be seen) and was trying to stuff as many dead, dry leaves into his front tire to give it some volume. He was 65 kms from home! He ended up getting a ride back as he punctured again. Me and my trusty companions were all on butyl and rode without a single puncture. But butyl v latex? I'm sure for many/most, it's psychological, but as we all know, that counts for a lot.
Always pump before the ride. Back then front. How can you ride without a routine beforehand? We are not animals.
Just got some nice all-black Shimano R171s. Sweet looking and very nice. Go with everything.
Carry on.
@litvi
Hey, I ride Vittoria open cross as well, and they are great. But I still love the sound and feel of sewups (tubs). They always put a big smile on my face listing to them spin up.