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New road bike or change tyres on CX for (faster) century ride?

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  • February 24, 2016 at 2:26 pm #25421
    SuperSharks

    Hi guys,

    I will be riding the Ride London 100 for the 2nd time and my current (and only) bike of choice at the moment is a Specialized Tricross Triple cyclocross bike. I rode the same bike for last years Ride London and being my 1st ride, took it easy to avoid any bonking\blow-outs and completed the time in 6 hrs 40. In fact, I am still riding on the same 700x35c Specialized Borough tyres that came with the cyclocross bike. They are pretty much slicks now.  

    I’m 44 years old and 6’2″ tall and reasonably fit. I commute 22 miles in a day about 2/3 times per week for which the cyclocross is perfect for.  My reason for contemplating the tyres\bike change is that my rather competitive and serious cyclist brother will be joining me on this years ride and says I need to get fitter and faster. He has already quoted from the Velominati Rule Book. Especially rule number 5. 

    What I need advice on is whether changing my Borough tyres to something like Continental Gatorskins at 700x28c will show a significant increase in speed or whether I should be looking at a new road bike that is more sportif themed or a comfortable but fast long distance bike? 

    Any suggestions greatly appreciated. If Conti’s are not the best, would like to know what you would recommend instead.  

     

    Thanks

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  • February 24, 2016 at 10:07 pm #867289
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    Morat

    While the correct answer is

    While the correct answer is always “Get another bike” the more pragmatic option is to get some 28mm Schwalbe Ones (tubeless or folding, up to you) and enjoy your bike at full speed. I’ve got them on my Jake the Snake and its like a magic carpet.

    I bet I’m heavier than  you (116 kg) and run those tyres at 85/90 over potholes with no issues.

    February 24, 2016 at 8:32 pm #867287
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    bikebot

    I’m riding my CX with GP4000s

    I’m riding my CX with GP4000s 28mm at the moment, used them for RideLondon last year on a different bike. With the wider rim of a CX wheel, I found they actually expanded to 32mm as measured in place on the bike.  Lots of grip, lots of comfort, great.

    I just looked up your bike and there’s one other thing you might want to try.  If you’ve got the same straight seatpost I see in the picture, consider a setback seatpost with a bit of flex.

    February 24, 2016 at 7:07 pm #867285
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    Stef Marazzi

    I ride a Ridley X-Bow
    I ride a Ridley X-Bow Cyclocross 5000 miles a year , its about 10 kilos. I run 700×28 Conti four Seasons, its plenty fast. I have done several back to back 100 milers on it. Can always keep up with road bikes, club runs, chaingangs , etc.

    February 24, 2016 at 6:56 pm #867283
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    AEB

    CXR94Di2 wrote:

    CXR94Di2 wrote:
    if you weigh 85 kg+ use 28mm. Less than 75 kg use 23/25mm. I weigh 95kg and found 25mm tyres needed maximum pressure to give good performance. I have just fitted tubeless 28mm Schwalbe pro ones and already are better

    Interesting – never thought of it like that! I’m only 55kgs so maybe that’s why I find 23’s pretty OK…

    February 24, 2016 at 6:28 pm #867281
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    CXR94Di2

    If you’re brother is faster
    If your brother is faster than you, you will regret trying to match his pace and will blow up at some point. If he thinks it’s a race tell him to try and tag on the back of a fast group and you will see him at the Mall. Fast rider should slow down to slower rider.

    Re tyres if you weigh 85 kg+ use 28mm. Less than 75 kg use 23/25mm. I weigh 95kg and found 25mm tyres needed maximum pressure to give good performance. I have just fitted tubeless 28mm Schwalbe pro ones and already are better

    February 24, 2016 at 6:20 pm #867279
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    allanj
    mike the bike wrote:
     

    Yes, but there is a written rule that says unwritten rules about the rules should be treated with contempt.

     

    Definitely one not to take seriously that

    February 24, 2016 at 6:06 pm #867277
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    mike the bike

    allanj wrote:

    allanj wrote:
     …….. PS- tell your brother that one of the unwritten rules about the rules is that they are not to be taken seriously…..

     

    Yes, but there is a written rule that says unwritten rules about the rules should be treated with contempt.

    February 24, 2016 at 5:33 pm #867275
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    allanj

    All new bike purchases should

    All new bike purchases should be wholeheartedly supported- that is a rule.

     

    Being sensible though, for one ride new tyres are the way to go- 28mm schwalbe ones would be my suggestion.

     

    If you are looking to do more cycling for leisure rather than communting then a new lighter bike will be more fun.  Could you borrow someone elses light road bike (your brother’s for example) and see the difference for yourself?

     

    PS- tell your brother that one of the unwritten rules about the rules is that they are not to be taken seriously…..

    February 24, 2016 at 4:38 pm #867273
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    arfa

    GP4000’s every day over
    GP4000’s every day over gatorskins. They’re faster, more grippy and have just as good puncture protection. Get yourself over to wiggle where they 59 quid for a pair.
    The only question is width. I commute on 25mm but my summer bike is 28mm. I would be inclined to say go for 28mm given you are used to wider tyres and the narrower you go, the more skittish . For reference, I completed the ride London last year on 28mm’s in under 4 1/2 hours, faster than my previous year on 25mm.

    February 24, 2016 at 4:14 pm #867271
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    AEB
    P3t3 wrote:
    Your cyclocross bike already puts you in a relatively aerodynamic position so there isn’t much point in splashing out on a new bike.  

    1) Lower rolling resistance will make you faster.  Narrow isn’t necissarily faster, no need to go smaller than a 28.  

    2 ) Comfort – you will ride faster for longer if you are comfortable and not fatigued by being rattled around by narrow tyres.   

     

    What he said!

    Although I’ve always used 23’s without too much bother – a CX bike will have a good amount of shock absorption anyway due to the nature of CX racing so a good amount of the road ‘buzz’ will be killed by the fork/frame.

    Maybe buy cheap sets in different sizes for a while and discern the difference for yourself, then once you’re happy with a certain width, invest in some ‘better’ tyres in your chosen size…

    February 24, 2016 at 3:45 pm #867269
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    peted76

    I’d like to say get a new

    I’d like to say get a new bike… but it’s all a matter of degrees..

    If I were you, I’d swap out the tyres for some £60 25mm ones, can’t go wrong with Conti GP2 tyres (I use schwalbe pro ones but same thing really).

    However you will lose comfort with smaller tyres and it’ll be noticable over 100miles.

    My issue you have is that your bike is a little on the how to say this nicely… ‘big boned’ side of the scale. I don’t know the weight but I’d hazard that large sized £1000 specialised with metal fork and triple chainset is probably touching 12 kilos. A typical road bike of the same budget will be more like 8kgs. So unless your bro in law is less fit than you, you’re at a significant disadvantage, regardless of new tyres.

    Take a look at some of the buying guides on road.cc for new bikes, budget – Triban 3 /  bit more – Giant Defy / bit more – Carbon Giant Defy.

    Note you’ll pick a decent hardly used Giant Defy up for about a third of the RRP on fleabay.

     

    Oddly enough my bro in law rides a large specialized tri cross also and can make it round a lumpy 40 miles, but he just blows out of his arse on the hills. I personaly admire his tenacity and endurance.

    February 24, 2016 at 3:33 pm #867267
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    BrokenBootneck

    I also use my CX for

    I also use my CX for everything at the moment and have been riding with either 32 or 28’s Durano which are very forgiving. Using 28’s at the moment I still like the 32’s though.

     

    I have Gatorskins on my road bike (25’s) and have never had any issues with them, I find them very good.

    February 24, 2016 at 3:31 pm #867265
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    P3t3

    Your cyclocross bike already

    Your cyclocross bike already puts you in a relatively aerodynamic position so there isn’t much point in splashing out on a new bike.  

    New tyres will make big a difference but don’t go for the god-awful gatorskins!  Far too crashy and they don’t have any grip.  

    Get something more supple for 2 reasons: 

    1) Lower rolling resistance will make you faster.  Narrow isn’t necissarily faster, no need to go smaller than a 28.  

    2 ) Comfort – you will ride faster for longer if you are comfortable and not fatigued by being rattled around by narrow tyres.   

     

    Continental GP 4000 are a real benchmark and I think they go up to 28mm, Schwalbe One is also supposed to be very fast at 28mm width.  For a real plush comfort choice then go for the open tubulars that are in vouge at the moment, something like the challenge Strada Binanca in 30 mm would be good – I had a set of these and (with nice low pressure around 50 psi for me) they were so fast and so so comfortable! 

    February 24, 2016 at 3:15 pm #867263
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    AEB

    I ride my CX bike for

    I ride my CX bike for everything, and go between full CX tyres (Continental Cross King 35mm and Challenge Grifo Pro 32mm) and Road tyres (Bontrager R1 23mm) and the bike is significantly better handling on road tyres without changing anything else.

    I rode a centry last year on mine using 23mm Vittorias and it was absolutely fine (if a bit uncomfortable as they were at 110PSI to avoid pinch flats). If I were you I’d go down to a good set of folding 25mm (which is what the pros use nowadays generally) and you’ll be fairly comfy and fast enough for your century.

    Good luck!

    AEB

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