Tuesday, January 15, 2008
We have been involved with the “650B revival” for some time now. We have a good selection of rims and tires for most riding styles. Historically 650B had been the number one choice for wheel size in some European countries for city and country riding. The greater volume of most 650B tires allow for maximum comfort with minimal surface resistance on the road, and even better on light trails. Recently Schwalbe has tested and concluded that a tire with a slightly larger volume does not hinder rolling resistance and aids smoother rolling. In fact every bump that you hit with your tire, using a 700x23C for example, creates a deflection thus causing a slowing of the wheel. With a larger 650B volume tire you have the advantage of air pressure to act as suspension while still having a similar wheel diameter.
Obviously there are exceptions to these findings, in particular, weight. The lighter 700x23C tire will seem faster to most people who hop on and ride down the street, but once you strap on 50-60 Kg of weight, ride down some good ol’ country roads, those racing tires will leave a lot to be desired. Currently we stock touring style rims and tires with more high-end options coming into our shop regularly. Just last month there was a review in Mountain Bike Action comparing 26”, 27.5” (650B), and 29” for mountain bikes. That might be worth a read. Pictured below is the Grand Bois.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Do you work on your own bicycle? Do you ever find that the products from your local hardware store just don't cut it? We have many bicycle specific lubricants and cleaners that will make the job much easier. Use Bike Lust to shine up any old paintjob, Boesheild lubricant to create a waxy barrier to protect and keep your chain clean at the same time, and Tri-Flow to free-up and smooth-out pivot points, these are just a few examples of what we have to offer.
