Rubber
Saved Tuesday 11th March, 2008 3:58pm by Peter Creagh
Edited Saturday 13th September, 2008 6:20am by Peter Creagh
The right rubber!
Choosing the right rubber for an event like the Flight Centre Cycle Epic is very important. Tyres are a personal thing and we all have our preferences. The best idea is experiment before the day, trying different tyres and pressures within the manufacturer’s guidelines.
From tyre pressure, weight to tread and thickness – the choice of MTB tyres can be overwhelming. One thing remains constant – what you chose for the Epic will have a significant impact your comfort and performance. The rubber you choose to survive the Epic is a very personal choice.
Firstly, you should consider the type of terrain and conditions you are likely to experience. The Epic is a mixture of rough scrub following cattle tracks and poorly defined and rugged 4WD tracks, fire road and bitumen.
If you have ridden the course prior, you will understand the need for a suitable tyre combination and the appropriate inflation pressure.
Your front requires a tread for steering and control while the rear should offer good traction plus reduced rolling resistance (which over 100 kms will make a difference) plus good braking qualities.
Here are just a few of these considerations before you hit the track. If you are still unsure after this speak to your local bike shop or club for advice.
Tread Type
Fast rolling semi slick style tyres let you power along bitumen and hardpacked dirt but may cause grief on the Ma Ma Creek single tracks and the looser climbs and descents. Heavily knobbed tyres are great for technical, loose or muddy stuff but will drain those legs on bitumen. Given the variety of terrain in the Epic, the popular choice is an all round performer. Watch the weather reports – a tyre with widely spaced knobs for mud clearance is advised if things get sticky.
Casing Size
A big fat tyre (2.2+) is nice and cushy, increasing grip and reducing fatigue. It also helps keep the dreaded pinch flats at bay. A skinny tyre (<1.9) is faster on hard surfaces and can cut through soft mud to reach firmer ground but is prone to pinch flats and a harsher ride. Most riders opt for something in the 1.95 – 2.1 range for all round performance.
Tyre Pressure
High pressures (>45psi) guard against pinch flats and keep you rolling fast on bitumen. However traction is compromised on loose and technical terrain.
Low pressures (<40psi) help tyres stick to the trail but pinch flats may feature when it gets rocky and you may feel sluggish on bitumen. Most opt for pressures between 35-45psi for all round traction, rolling resistance and flat avoidance. Your choice will depend on tyre size, your size, how aggressively you ride and personal preference for comfort or speed.
Tubeless vs Tubed
Tubeless tyres enable lower pressures for increased traction with less risk of pinch flats. They may also make lighter wheels depending on what you are replacing. Changing to tubeless is generally costly as it requires new rims as well as tyres unless you use a conversion kit such as Stan’s No Tubes.
ImageWeight vs Strength. On long rides wheel weight can have a big effect on your speed and fatigue. Lightweight rubber will help but possibly at the cost of tyre casing strength.
