"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