Welcome to all the new roadies

Welcome to all the new roadies! :wave: It is great to see so many STR folks getting road bikes. For the longest time it was like we were lycra clad lepers over here on the roadie board.

Road riding is no less fun or challenging than riding mountain it's just different. Plus it is great training for riding MTB.

There have been several really good threads with people looking for advice as people are moving into road riding. Keep them coming if anyone has more questions.

 

Thanks for the encouragement!

I have really been loving how far and high I can ride into the mountains on the skinny tires.

 

Quick question for the roadies... What do you pump your tire to when the tire says 120 psi or 100 psi? I've gotten a couple flats on the road and I'd like to help prevent it as much as possible. Thanks!

 

I follow the PSI recommendations on my tires... currently hutchinsons run 140psi! That's the highest psi I've ever run. Normally 120psi...

 

im a lycra clad leper?
whatever...

cheebro - i figure the max psi to be a starting point. if you KNOW that the route is going to be very bumpy i will back off the pressure a few psi. somewhere in the 5-10 range just so its a bit more comfy. play with the pressures, if you are on the heavier side the extra psi may help smooth out the ride, if you are lighter, you can afford to use less pressure in the tires.

 

I had someone tell me that I was more likely to get a flat when I filled my tires to the recommended psi and that I should probably fill up about 10psi less than what the tire says. Thanks for the help! I guess I have to dodge the glass better on the road :lol:

 

I'm a summer roadie. As soon as it gets hot, I start riding the road. Much cooler and I can keep up the mileage without worrying about water.

For the newbies: Don't go out and get a pro team kit. It's dorky.

I passed 3 Astanas, 1 Saxobank, and pretty much broke the legs off some dude in a Gerolsteiner kit who tried giving me "the look" today. Unless you're really fast, you just look silly.

 

that sounds about right. dodging crap on the road in a group is a acquired skill that takes some practice. also the right tires can help wonders. i have a set of the hutchinson whatevers and they are ok on the road and feel great for bombing hills, but the special-ed armadillos on the (omg im going to say it) fixie (eew shudder...) are great cause they are thick and heavy and they dont require tire levers to mount and dismount. i feel more confident on the 'dillos for flat protection but not so much in the bombing dept. the hutches are lighter and better for the ups and downs.

 

For flat prevention I just have a tire liner in my rear tire. Since I put it in I haven't had a flat, and before that I was getting about one a week.

 

It's more of a preference thing. The posted PSI is what is recommended by the manufacturer but it's where you're supposed to get optimum performance from the tire. I tend to run mine slightly softer to keep the ride a little less harsh. But doing this I have to be even more careful of hitting curbs or ledges as it's easier to pinch flat. You're not going to gain anything by running exceptionally hard tires.

 

I'm partial to the Continental GP4000S tires. I just got 2200+ miles out of a rear tire with only one flat. Front has been on for 3000+ with no flats.

The recommended pressure is 100-120psi. I run them 105f/110r.

 

This Michelin chart is very helpful. Incidentally most people over pressurize road tires.

 

Oh, you still are... there's just a few more of you now.:lol:
(j/k)

 

Thanks!

I run my tires at 100 PSI, which is max for my Conti Gatorskins. Great tires but I will be trying the GP4000s in a 700x25 next. I have gone through two sets of the Gatorskins. One set of Vittorias whatevers. 5-6 thousand miles of road riding and only two flats.

When I started road riding I was 195 and now 170, so not the lightest on a bike but not many flats. Keep the pressure up, keep your eyes open for debris, cracks, and bumps. Bunny hopping skills help in a pinch too.

Thanks for that chart, that is cool.

 

Im 200lbs and I inflate my road tires to 115psi. Works great and dont get many flats. I love Michelin and Continental tires.

 

Do I count as a roadie if I use my cyclocross on the road? 250lbs on a Felt F1X running 35c panaracer cinder cross tires at 50psi.

 

Sure we will let you in the lycra lepers club. :welcome:

 

I personally do not wear a "TEAM" kit but rather a King of the Mountain jersey one size to small and climb EVERY hill in the granny ring on a triple.

 

For tire pressure, I'd recommend you read what Sheldon Brown has to say:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#pressure

At my 225 lbs, I run about 105 front, 140 rear on my 23mm tires and 100 front, 125 rear on my 28mm tires.

 

As one of these road noobies, it's definately a rush at times.


Can any of the local san gabes guys like mtbmaven or imallso recommend some of the safer routes up here to take? Anything from the santa fe dam to the rosebowl would be great if I can find a safer way around in the late afternoon. Even the short bike path in duarte was packed after work. Any routes that head east towards Bonelli park would be appreciated. Just trying to find the most bike friendly ways around here.