Wheels and Tires for Velocity Squared

Bob, I just replaced my R40 Deore/Alex DA16 wheels with the Velocity Thracians. I weighed them
during the switch. The front Thracian is 200 gr lighter and the rear one is 425 gr lighter. That's
well over a pound of weight. Also saving weight on the wheels/tires results in a much greater energy
saving than on the seat. I use a 406X32 IRC Metro (285 g.) and 559X32 Avocet Fasgrip City K (395g.)
I have had zero problems with flats although I only have about 1000 miles on them. I ride mostly
pavement, but some of it is very rough. If you can't afford the Velocity wheelset try some lighter
tire/tube combos. My only complaint is the rear Avocet seems to have less traction than I would
like. The IRC Metro might be better if you can find it in 559X32. Problem is you can seldom find the
right tires for front and rear at the same source. I think Hostel Shoppe has the best selection.
There are good folks to deal with. Mark

"Bob Slebodnik" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I am interested in making my 2003 Rans Velocity Squared (XL) a bit lighter and faster. I have
considered using the new, lighter Zephyr seat and switching to Velocity Thracian wheels and faster
tires. However, this would be a bit pricey. I'm wondering about just switching to the lighter seat
cushion (which would save about 11 oz). Does anyone know if one loses alot of comfort by switching
to this cushion? Also, any thoughts on keeping the standard Deore/Alex DA 16 wheels and switching
to lighter (but still sturdy and dependable tires)? Any suggestions for tires? Right now I'm using
Schwalbe Marathons (26 x 1.5 @ 600 grams and 20 x 1.5 @ 426 grams). I don't know what the
Deore/Alex wheels weigh but I'm sure the Velocity Thracians are lighter at 564 grams in the front
and 1038 grams in the rear. I ride mostly on paved roads that are usually in good condition in
hilly upstate NY. Thank-you in advance for your comments and suggestions. Bob Slebodnik

I get the Velocity Thracian wheel set on my V2. Also put Cont grand prix on front and rear. 20x1 1/8
26x1 . My pedals weigh 260g I am at less 2 mph faster with a top speed of 29 mph on the flats. ` Bob
Milligan V2

Mark Sperry said:

... Also saving weight on the wheels/tires results in a much greater energy saving than on the
seat....

Incorrect "conventional wisdom" dies hard.

Tom Sherman – Close to 41½? N, 90½ W

"Tom Sherman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mark Sperry said:

... Also saving weight on the wheels/tires results in a much greater

energy

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

saving than on the seat....

Incorrect "conventional wisdom" dies hard.

Tom Sherman - Close to 41½? N, 90½ W

He is correct but in the wrong sport, that is the case with motorcycles but not bicycles

[email hidden] (Robert Milligan) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I get the Velocity Thracian wheel set on my V2. Also put Cont grand prix on front and rear. 20x1
1/8 26x1 . My pedals weigh 260g I am at less 2 mph faster with a top speed of 29 mph on the flats.
` Bob Milligan V2

On our Barcroft Columbia tandem we switched from the standard RANS seat cushion to the thin seat
cushion. To me the switch is not so much about weight but freeing up the gluts from being immersed
in foam and thus neutralizing their use (Dave Balfour noticed this and after the switch I tend to
agree with him). What surprised me is the comfort is still there (and less bouncing). As to the
wheels etc. I would suggest trying a different tire before forking out the big money for wheels. The
Schwalbe Marathon is a nice tough tire. I now ride them on my Rocket. I switched from Comp Pools
which had given me flat problems. But the tradeoff is that they are noticeably slower than the low
rolling resistance tires. My solution, if you will consider a narrower tire, is the Stelvio. I have
them on my Barcroft Virginia. Front tire is still original and no flats in 3200 miles. Back tire was
replaced at 1300 miles due to a sidewall cut and no flats on the new one since then (1900 miles).
And they have very low rolling resistance An alternative is Continental Grand Prixs. They are tough
tires (I think a little tougher than Stelvios) and fast too, but I found their ride to be a little
harsher. If the change in tires doesn't give you the increase you are looking for then look at new
wheels. Just a suggestion.

Mike S. ST. Louis, MO.

Barcroft Virginia Barcroft Columbia RANS Rocket

mike s said:

... I switched from Comp Pools which had given me flat problems....

I have had only one flat on the Comp Pool on the back of my Sunset. The tire was flat upon my return
(by motor vehicle) from the invitational ride in Havana, IL earlier this year. The tire was fine at
the end of my ride, but I let someone who shall remain nameless (but has an article about the seat
conversion on his Barcroft Virginia in the latest RCN) ride my Sunset around the parking lot.

You may draw your own conclusions. 😉

Tom Sherman – Close to 41½? N, 90½ W

swamprun said:

Would it not depend on riding conditions ? If you are riding a flat course and never accelerate or
decelerate then a heavier "aero" rim would be more efficient.

But if you were riding through town and stopping and starting many times and dealing with cross
winds then maybe the lighter less aero profile would be more efficient.

Note that the contention was that additional weight on the wheels is much more of a detriment to
performance than an identical weight increase elsewhere on the bicycle. While it is true that it
will take a greater energy input to bring a bike with heavier wheels up to a given speed than a bike
of identical overall weight with lighter wheels, the difference is too small to matter in most
circumstances, and is certainly much less than the old (incorrect) rule of thumb, "one pound off the
wheels is worth two pounds off the frame".

Tom Sherman – Close to 41.5 N, 90.5 W

What is the weight limit on Thacians?

swamprun said:

On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 19:34:39 -0600, Tom Sherman wrote:

So from a pure physics point of view the lighter wheel is in fact more efficient, but the real
world difference is trivial.

I suspect this and similar myths are important to the bicycle industry.

Unlike recumbents where there are real choices/differences in riding position, seat type, steering
arrangement, etc. [1], upright road bikes tend to be much the same. Therefore, marketing departments
have to come up "reasons" for riders to invest in new equipment on a regular basis, whether or not
it is warranted.

[1] There have been real improvements on a fairly consistent basis in recumbent bicycles over the
last 20 years, including a great refinement of the classic designs that have been around over
that time period (Easy Racers Tour Easy, Lightning P-38, RANS Stratus, Ryan Vanguard/Longbikes
Slipstream).

Tom Sherman – Close to 41.5 N, 90.5 W ¼ ½ ¾