Lightweight tubs

[mattsccm]

Tread doesn't matter on the road. Apart from rubber thickness maybe. Bikes don't aquaplane. It's just that track tubs are rather fragile and I believe silk doesn't like water.

 

[shawnb]

Tread doesn't matter on the road. Apart from rubber thickness maybe. Bikes don't aquaplane. It's just that track tubs are rather fragile and I believe silk doesn't like water.

Ah, that may have cleared it up for me! £120 for a pair of tyres that are this delicate may just be asking for trouble.
I have since found a pair of vintage vittorias on US ebay that are allegedly 243grms each. But when you add the cost of the shipping and customs tax it looks less economical.
Maybe the current 300g 21mm vittorias are just the easiest option. It looks like there are sub200g track/silk tubs that may be more trouble than their worth and 240-300g easily available less troublesome ones.
It may seem silly to be worried about tyres but I have nearly finished my 1985 Raleigh team build with SR and have been astounded how much lighter it is compared to my identical f&f but with shimano600. I just want to do it justice with special tyres. As we all know the revolving weight is the type of reduction that can be felt the most when riding.
Not that this bike will do many miles :roll:

 

[hamster]

The problem is the nastiness of most UK roads - one small pothole and they could be trashed.

 

[shawnb]

The problem is the nastiness of most UK roads - one small pothole and they could be trashed.

Agreed. Although the bike will probably only fly up and down Brighton seafront bike lane. The only issue there is the pi**ed up Croydon chavs jaywalking across the bike lane
I took one out only last saturday much to my wifes horror

 

[Old Ned]

I only have the one Pista - and it is a bit light even for Brighton Prom.

I've used some Continental Giro's on a pair of wheels recently and they look OK. They have modern'ish longer valves but still look OK and price is reasonable. If I've got some then it must be! I got mine from Chain Reaction but worth a Google to get the best deal.

 

[shawnb]

I only have the one Pista - and it is a bit light even for Brighton Prom.

I've used some Continental Giro's on a pair of wheels recently and they look OK. They have modern'ish longer valves but still look OK and price is reasonable. If I've got some then it must be! I got mine from Chain Reaction but worth a Google to get the best deal.

Thanks, my road ace has them fitted and they are indeed vintage looking. They weigh a little less than the current vittorias too. Looks like I will settle for either of the two unless ebay throws up something nice and vintage soon.
Cheers, Shawn.

 

[hamster]

The problem is the nastiness of most UK roads - one small pothole and they could be trashed.

Agreed. Although the bike will probably only fly up and down Brighton seafront bike lane. The only issue there is the pi**ed up Croydon chavs jaywalking across the bike lane
I took one out only last saturday much to my wifes horror

I'd worry about slivers of broken glass from discarded bottles of WKD...

 

[shawnb]

The problem is the nastiness of most UK roads - one small pothole and they could be trashed.

Agreed. Although the bike will probably only fly up and down Brighton seafront bike lane. The only issue there is the pi**ed up Croydon chavs jaywalking across the bike lane
I took one out only last saturday much to my wifes horror

I'd worry about slivers of broken glass from discarded bottles of WKD...

and i've seen far worse on the ground. Much worse :shock: