I STRONGLY recommend taking a look at this table when selecting your race tires. Tires are the easiest place to pick up some cheap and free speed and a component on the bike that is often overlooked. For example, when comparing the Specialized Mondo Open Tubular tire (the lowest crr for a clincher tire) and compare it to the Michelin Pro 3 Race (a tire that is widely, albeit wrongfully, considered a "fast tire"), one can save a whopping 3.6 watts per tire or 7.2 watts for the pair!! That is a heck of a lot of free wattage to be gained! Also, take special note of the comparison between latex and butyl tubes. Again, this is a no brainer in my opinion. Pick the latex tube for racing (if you race clinchers). It will always be faster and only cost $5-10 more per tube.
HI THERE. 3.6 WATTS IS NOT A LOT OF POWER TO BE GAINED. THERE ARE DIFFERENT CALCULATORS THAT CONVERT WATTS TO KCAL AND 3.6 WATTS ARE NOT VERY SIGNIFICANT. THE REAL GAINS MIGHT BE SEEN IN TIME TRIALS FOR TOP TIER RACING OVER LONG DISTANCES WHEN THE SECONDS COUNT. OTHER THAN THAT THE GAINS ARE INSIGNIFICANT. THIS WOULD BE EVEN MORE NEGLIGIBLE IN PELOTON RIDING. I HAVE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THIS FOR A COUPLE DAYS NOW AND I DID THE CALCULATIONS MY SELF. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO TRY IT. YOU WILL LEARN A LOT. GOOD LUCK
ReplyDeletei did the calculations as well and even in a 30 mph attack you are saving a womping 4.1 watts between a continental GP4season training tire and a bontrager R4 race day only tire. i'll take the long lasting training tire thank you very much.
Delete(that is for the pair, not one tire) don't forget that only 60% of your weight is on the rear and 40% is on the front. weight distribution must be taken into account for calculations
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