Posts Tagged ‘tires’
Specialized tire testing II
In search of the holy rubber…
Following up on earlier tire testing in Stellenbosch*, Specialized’s tire whiz guys came up with 5 new prototypes to test. The goal is to make a tire that is very puncture resistant, but still rolls well and doesnt weigh as much as a tractor tire.
*Read earlier blog Tire testing Stellenbosch.
We know we have great tread patterns in the Fast Trak LK and The Captain, its a matter of making a strong, light, flexible casing. With an emphisis on STRONG.
Yesterday we tested rolling resistance of the 5 prototypes and also a few competitors’ tires. First I rode the rollers with a Power Tap and took Wattage outputs at 25km/h and 35km/h. Some tires needed 560 Watts to go 35km/h, and with the cold legs, the unfamiliar rollers, and keeping the speed at exactly 35 at 1500m altitude took some huffing and puffing!
XTERRA secrets
Dress for success
Wear gloves. Scrubbing gravel out of your palms aint fun. Gloves also makes the job of holding on much easier, especially when its wet. I race with short fingered gloves, which are quick and easy to put on and take off.
