Getting myself and the bike ready for a commute..

[IanLorenc]

Went to the bike shop today and the advise that I can go down to a 1 inch tyre on the rims I have. Had a brief look on the bay and for just over £20 I can get both the tyres and tubes delivered.

I've got 1 inch slicks on my bike and the difference is incredible. Unfortunately, it's kind of broken atm and I've been borrowing my brothers bike on big 2.1 off road tyres instead. However, checking the Endomondo tracking stats tells me that his bike is - on average - 5-6 minutes slower over 7.5 miles than my bike.
I would estimate that difference is:
80% tyres
15% weight
5% setup (short/high stem & geometry as opposed to long/low setup of mine)

[Karl]

The biking and the site have been on hold for a week or so as I've had a nasty case of sinusitus.

Hopefully I'll be back on the steed next week, still not ordered them tyres yet though.

I'm lucky that my bike weights very little, as with you Ian - mines not designed with speed in mind.

[IanLorenc]

Hoping to get the bits ordered for my bike soon (chain, cassette & chainrings) and get it back on the road.
Really missing it a lot now.

[Karl]

Ordered my 26" x 1" tyres & tubes today. All in for less than £24 from http://www.woollyhatshop.com

Hopefully they will be here by the end of the week ready for a daily commute next week - weather permitting!

[frv]

If I didn't car share I would seriously consider driving part of the way and biking the rest - can't manage 21 miles x 2 though

[Karl]

Got my 1" slicks yesterday and fitted them last night. I forgot what a pain fitting new tyres can be - even dug the spoons out just like back in the day.



You can really feel the difference with the thinner tyres - the bike just seems to fly! I had cross country tyres on it to start with so it wasnt that bad to start with. What I really did notice was the lack of tyre hum.

Here it is with both fitted - needs awash and I'll look better.



If the weather improves next week I'll be doing at least 3 days, the new rubber should make it much faster and easier to get in.

[frv]

Look great Karl - what a difference!

[Karl]

The weather "rained" off my ride into work this morning.

I'm a fair weather biker and it has to be enjoyable or I'll give up doing it. Hopefully tomorrow will bring a brighter day.

[Karl]

First ride with the new tyres yesterday. They made a hell of a difference although the weather really didn't help. Even at 8AM the temp was showing over 25c.

My average speed on the bike computer was at 13.5MPH over the 100miles already on the clock. Even with a head wind I managed well over 15MPH and a constant 19MPH on much of the way back.

The ride was much more enjoyable at the higher speeds and I found myself pushing to go faster. Cut a nice chunk off my time too.

[IanLorenc]

even dug the spoons out just like back in the day.

Proper.

First ride with the new tyres yesterday. They made a hell of a difference

The difference is incredible. As I've probably mentioned several times, they make up about 5 minutes on a half hour ride for me.