Ever since I punctured on my way back from Gloucestershire a few weeks ago and tore a hole in my tyre, my fast wheels have just been hanging up waiting for new rubber.
Last week I finally got some new tyres. I went for Continental GP5000 in the end as the Schwalbe Pro One’s I wanted were out of stock everywhere. I was a bit reluctant to use Conti as they have a reputation for being a bit of a bitch to fit but to my surprise I rolled them on easily with just my thumbs. Which I think was a first.
I’ve also sacked off tubeless again and gone for old skool tubes. Tubeless has just never worked for me on road wheels. It’s never sealed, just pissed sealant everywhere although the two times I’ve tried my tyres have been cut so maybe I’m just really unlucky.
My thought process is I’ve used tubes for 35+ years without issue. It’s cleaner, it’s simpler and less messy. Stick to what I know.
I’ve also corrected my schoolboy error by now carrying a spare tube with an 80mm valve, not one with a valve shorter than the depth of my rim! All in a new, posh skinny roadie saddlebag
So yesterday was my first ride on the new tyres and they felt as fast as I expected. I even did a PR up a local climb by quite a margin which was unexpected. I’m back to fast (for me).
Off off
Earlier this week I had my first off for a while. I’d decided to recce the canal down to the outskirts of Worcester for my next gravel ride, The Tardebig-G. The towpath gets a bit remote and rooty just after Droitwich and I hit a fat tree root quite hard and my front wheel just flicked right and I tumbled left. It felt like slow motion and I initially thought I’d done my collar bone so I lay still for a few secs to gather my senses but when I moved I realised I was fine and I’d just bumped my shoulder hard on the ground. Nothing broken but the bars on my bike needed some attention. It sapped my mojo a bit so I pootled down to the next bridge and rode home. The towpath is quite wide here too so I managed to avoid a dip in the cut.
It maybe coincidence but I had swapped my front and rear tyres because the rear was worn so the front had the worn one. I’ve decided I’m going a bit fatter (40mm+) and a bit knobblier now anyway I think. More on that soon.
The bike (Dolan GXA) has been creaking and clicking like a rusty hinge for a while and despite finding a loose pedal, a loose headset (slipped steerer bung), a loose BB cup, a missing gear hanger bolt and a loose cassette after The G60 last weekend (how did I get round?), the clicking was still there so after much head scratching I’ve replaced the BB this week, despite the bearings feeling fine and all seems fine now. Must have been the bearing moving in the cup itself.
That’s all for now. I’m off to research fat gravel tyres
Adios
Glad no issues due to the off.
Great choice Continental, that’s all I ride on the road. Maybe a bit more expensive but they last and good on puncture resistance (I’m old school with inner tube).
Avoid Michelin tyres, they are a nightmare to fit and remove in the comfort of your garage. Dread to think changing an inner tube on a cold lane in the winter!! I’m sure some bright spark will suggest tubeless as a remedy. Just advising that if you are an inner tube kind of person, Michelin tyres are serious hard work!!
Thanks mate
Nice to read Paul. My tumbles seem to be linked to the volume of nettles available to fall into.
Oh, & I spent ages & serious cash chasing a click & a squeek, turned out to be the seatpost!
I’ve had the seatpost click in the past. I took mine out on this one and still clicked!