“If the tire don’t fit, you must quit!”
-Jonnie Cochran, 1995
– BASC Team trying to be clever, 2020
Similar to what we tell our friends after a heartbreak, “There are plenty of fish in the Sea” we can also use this euphemism when describing the oversaturted sporting goods retail market. With gadgets galore, a body or build modification needed for every terrain possible and an information overload looming at every commercial break, it is of little wonder that when researching bike tires, it can get overwhelming. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again,
“AN IMPROPERLY FITTED BIKE (tire) CAN BE (one of) THE (many) CAUSES OF THE PAIN YOU ARE EXPIERENCING FROM CYCLING” – An almost direct quote from last weeks blog regardigng “Fanny Fatigue”
- Read about our favorite stretches to combat the discomfort caused either directly or indirectly by cycling.
This includes the tires are you riding on! With the growing number of options available on the market, buying the right tire for your bike can be tough. Much like car, bike tires have become increasingly more technical, which makes it difficult to sift through all of the complicated terminology to find the best option. Although there are ‘plenty of fish in the sea’ we’ve narrowed down to we think is an all encompassing, well rounded and hopefully helpful list.
Clincher Tires
The most popular tire, Clinchers are the bike tires you rode as a kid. They have an outer “carcass” made for whatever type bike they need to be. The name clincher comes from the fact that these tires “clinch” to the rim of the wheel with a bead of hard rubber. Like a car tire, a clincher has an open bottom, and the only way it stays on the rim is to clinch to it.
Pros:
- The main advantage of clinchers is that they make fixing a flat easy- even on the road, leading to their increase in popularity.
Cons:
- Due to the weight of the rubber beads surrounding the tire, Clincher tires and rims are heavier when wet, and can increase the likelihood of pinched flats
Tubular Tires
Most frequently used by cyclists interested in racing and widely considered the most comfortable tire. Tubular Tires contain no inner tube and is glued onto the rim, can only be used when the glue is set, and usually require at least 3 layers of glue which can take days of drying and reapplying. For a flat tire with a puncture larger than a few millimeters, a spare is almost absolutely necessary.
Pros:
- Lightweight and less prone to punctures, widely considered the most comfortable tire
- Lack the plastic beads of the Clincher Tire, making it noticeably lighter
Cons:
- Tubular tires take time and patience to mount. Days can be spent applying and reappling the glue in order to bond to the rim
- Less prone to flats but when they do occur are a bigger hastle to deal with
- Considerably more expensive than Clincher Tires
We Suggest:
- Investing in a cannister of Vittoria Pit Stop Sealant for quick fixes. Unfortunately, sealant will only work on small punchtures measuring a few millimeters or less
- The Tufo 700 x 24 S33 Pro Tubular Tire, with amazing revies and ringing up at the very fair price of $26
Tubeless Tires
Now close your eyes and imagine: The Church bells are ringing, the crowd is cheering, rice is flying through the air. I just took you on a trip down memory lane to the holy matrimony of Clincher and Tubular! Love is in the air, and with it brings a new generation of cycling innovations. The Tubeless Tire! The Tubeless tire can be used on any clincher wheel set without an innertube, making it the perfect combination of the two. We all know parents can be embarrassing so we’ll spare Tubeless the intimate details and get straight to the facts. In order to use a tubless system on a clincher wheel, a special tubeless tire and conversion kit are needed. Heres what you need to know:
Pros:
- Light and comfortable similar to the tubular
- Easy to change road-side similar to the Clincher
- If stranded roadside, a tubeless tire can be fitted with an inntertube, making it ideal for training and racing
Cons:
- Price range is usually around $100 and the current market only offers a select few options to choose from
Housekeeping
As you may have seen from our Instagram and Facebook, we officially have BASC 2020 dates! This year’s ride will take place on October 15th – 18th with 3,2, and 1-day ride options.
As we closely monitor the ongoing COVID19 situation, we are working together to ensure the safest possible ride and routes. For the most up to date information, subscribe to our eNewsletter here!
