j_young_80
12-11-2009, 10:07 AM
SCOTT'S SPIN
I bought some speed last week. It cost $150 for a half-pound. Not bad, considering one friend spent more than $1,000 for a pound.
I'm talking, of course, about bicycle speed -- as in stuff that makes you faster.
My speed comes in the form of lightweight clincher tires and tubes. They've shaved 8 ounces (224 grams) off my wheels. Yes, fellow pocket-protector wearers, I weighed the old and new rubber on my local bike shop's precision scale.
Naturally, there's a trade-off. The manufacturer warns that these are "event" tires, meaning they'll flat when you hit anything larger than a pebble. Kidding! These tires are recommended only for races or other special events, not everyday use.
A half-pound might not sound like much, unless it comes off rotating parts like wheels. There, it's huge. I could explain the physics behind this -- if I had taken Physics 101 in school instead of Narrative and Thematic Patterns in 19th Century Prussian Novels.
Anyhoo, I was tempted to ape my teammate who paid 4 figures for a pair of tubular wheels with carbon rims, shedding a pound from his bike. But I wasn't thrilled about gluing on sew-up tires and constantly swapping brake pads to accommodate the carbon braking surface. Hey, I've got Prussian potboilers to read.
Obviously the best kind of speed is free speed. Losing body weight is free speed. Achieving a more aerodynamic riding position is free speed. Stealing your friend's carbon wheels is free speed.
Unfortunately, these measures cost you in other ways: a Twinkie-free diet, bi-weekly chiropractic visits, a starring role as defendant on Judge Judy.
So I'll stick with my event tires.
In the event they actually make me faster, I'll let you know.
I bought some speed last week. It cost $150 for a half-pound. Not bad, considering one friend spent more than $1,000 for a pound.
I'm talking, of course, about bicycle speed -- as in stuff that makes you faster.
My speed comes in the form of lightweight clincher tires and tubes. They've shaved 8 ounces (224 grams) off my wheels. Yes, fellow pocket-protector wearers, I weighed the old and new rubber on my local bike shop's precision scale.
Naturally, there's a trade-off. The manufacturer warns that these are "event" tires, meaning they'll flat when you hit anything larger than a pebble. Kidding! These tires are recommended only for races or other special events, not everyday use.
A half-pound might not sound like much, unless it comes off rotating parts like wheels. There, it's huge. I could explain the physics behind this -- if I had taken Physics 101 in school instead of Narrative and Thematic Patterns in 19th Century Prussian Novels.
Anyhoo, I was tempted to ape my teammate who paid 4 figures for a pair of tubular wheels with carbon rims, shedding a pound from his bike. But I wasn't thrilled about gluing on sew-up tires and constantly swapping brake pads to accommodate the carbon braking surface. Hey, I've got Prussian potboilers to read.
Obviously the best kind of speed is free speed. Losing body weight is free speed. Achieving a more aerodynamic riding position is free speed. Stealing your friend's carbon wheels is free speed.
Unfortunately, these measures cost you in other ways: a Twinkie-free diet, bi-weekly chiropractic visits, a starring role as defendant on Judge Judy.
So I'll stick with my event tires.
In the event they actually make me faster, I'll let you know.