Since I’m not upgrading my bike this year, I’ll try to make my current setup a bit faster. My fit is good and so are my suit and helmet. Since both wheelset and bike are to be kept for another one or twe years, I have some fixed parameters:
28" wheelsize 23c disc in de back - so need valve lenght of around 42-45mm)23c 90mm (or 50mm when windy) front wheel - so need removable core
Other relevant parameters:
I normally do flat races. Weight is not an issueI don’t like to do a lot fidling.I do long distance. Roads are not always clean (but normally in a pretty good shape, no potholes/bumps. Puncture protection is a bit (not a lot) important. I guess I mean I don’t want to give a lot in this deparment for 0.1 watt saving. Money. I want an option that is also (a bit) affordable. So no tires that I made by elves with full moon and golden threads for € 100,00+ a piece. Tires should cost around € 35,00 - € 50,00.
I want a tire combination for raceday. My current set-up I use (both training and racing): 23c Continental GP5000 with cheap-ass butyl inner tire. I don’t mind switching to a raceday setup for my A-races. Normally I have 1 or 2 A-races a year (long distance) and switch to new tires 2 weeks before the race. I keep them on after the race for training. If the tire is still good when the next race comes, they go to my 2nd roadbike or fixed gear commuter.
I’ve been reading both Aerocoach and Bicyclerollingresistance and came to this as best/solid option:
Continental gp5000 clincher 23c tire
Vittoria Latex inner tire
I think there might be a faster tire, but I guess the tradeoff with puncture protecton favours the GP5000 (both fast and punctureproof I think). Latex inner tires will be faster. The annoyence of losing air doesn’t matter since I can switch back to butyl for my training weeks/months between races.
Do I miss something?