"SMMB" <
[email protected]> wrote in message news:<
[email protected]>...
>
>
> Experience, some, and expertise, definitely not. However, with thousands of
> (mindless) loops of the Longchamp training circuit, I find that latex is
> more comfortable at the same inflation ; allows for even lower than usual
> inflation with no loss in speed ; is less responsive to steering inputs at
> equal inflation ; results in faster lap times, at equal inflation. But it
> does require daily pumping to start at the same pressure as the day before,
> or in the evening from the morning. I also end up with fewer flats over a
> long time (just invoked the jinx, I guess !). I tend to use latex only when
> I can find a very low price, as the differences are not enormously large,
> since I now only do cyclosportives (longer events, demanding comfort more
> than knife-edge performance). Half a bar less on butyl pressure, and you
> get very close to latex.
Hi, thanks for the reply, I'm curious about a few things. What is the
distance of the Longchamp training circuit? And, when you say,
"results in faster lap times, at equal inflation", how much faster?
For the kind of riding I do, I need durability over speed. I suppose
if I was commuting and rode daily, no matter what, then daily
inflation, might be bothersome. But, as a recreational rider, one who
tries to ride daily, weather and season permitting, I check and top
off my tires before every ride. I seem to lose a few pounds a day,
whether I am using Conti Race Light 76g tubes or whatever the current
brand of 100+g, 700 x 18-25 tubes that my LBS is selling[Kenda,
Bontrager,?]. I do notice ride differences, as far as bumps go, with
different inflation, but not speed differences.
I seldom get flats and I believe it is partially due to riding in
known areas, but also because of my vigilance with pressure and
regular inspection. More than once, I have found something, a piece of
wire,a shard of glass, that left in would most likely have resulted in
a flat.
I think as an enthusiast, I see inflation as part of my pre ride
preparations.
Life is Good!
Jeff