MikeSSS
1 kW
A few years ago I got a used Trek 920 rigid steel mountain bike, it has 9 speeds on the rear and 3 on the front, and W shaped handlebars. This bike fits me very well and is a joy to ride. It needed tires, I wanted tires for mostly street riding that held air well and did not get flats.
After doing some reading online, the decision was made to get Performance Gotham tires in 26" x 1.75", these tires are said to be flat resistant. At the same time I got the tires I also bought the very thick tubes and put a lot of slime in them. So far, so good.
On the bike path, the first thing I noticed was that my coasting speed was much reduced. Using the old tires, I had to ride the brakes on descents to keep from passing my wife, who was also coasting. Using the Gotham tires at 60 psi, our coasting was much more closely matched. On the level and when climbing, more pedaling effort was needed with the Gothams, as compared to the old tires and my other bikes, the difference was noticeable and I'm pretty insensitive to that sort of thing.
Yep, I had discovered a high rolling resistance combination. Part of the reason is probably the deep tread pattern and squishy tread compound, tread deformation absorbs power. Then there is the anti flat construction of the tire, that too has to cause increased rolling resistance. Thick tubes have always caused additional rolling resistance, when I've used them, this time was no exception. Finally, the generous amount of slime, a viscous liquid, has to absorb power too. This result was predictable.
Flats? Nope. Holds air well? Yep. Ride quality? Good. I especially like to not use the air pump frequently.
Then there is another good thing about these tires. I mounted a Straton friction drive ICE engine on the bike, it uses a 33cc Subaru Robin engine, with a 1" roller. In about 300 miles there has been no noticeable wear on the rear tire. Besides that, the roller has good friction against the Gotham tire.
Before putting on the Gotham tires and thick Slimed tubes, the bike got 138 mpg, with pedaling assist. After, the highest was 119 mpg, but this was also at a much higher speed. So, the comparison is sort of skewed.
Would I buy these tires again? No. Reason: the Kenda unknown model tires on my wife's Townie and on my FS MTB, hold air well and have much less rolling resistance. Sometimes less is more. Especially when it comes to rolling resistance.
After doing some reading online, the decision was made to get Performance Gotham tires in 26" x 1.75", these tires are said to be flat resistant. At the same time I got the tires I also bought the very thick tubes and put a lot of slime in them. So far, so good.
On the bike path, the first thing I noticed was that my coasting speed was much reduced. Using the old tires, I had to ride the brakes on descents to keep from passing my wife, who was also coasting. Using the Gotham tires at 60 psi, our coasting was much more closely matched. On the level and when climbing, more pedaling effort was needed with the Gothams, as compared to the old tires and my other bikes, the difference was noticeable and I'm pretty insensitive to that sort of thing.
Yep, I had discovered a high rolling resistance combination. Part of the reason is probably the deep tread pattern and squishy tread compound, tread deformation absorbs power. Then there is the anti flat construction of the tire, that too has to cause increased rolling resistance. Thick tubes have always caused additional rolling resistance, when I've used them, this time was no exception. Finally, the generous amount of slime, a viscous liquid, has to absorb power too. This result was predictable.
Flats? Nope. Holds air well? Yep. Ride quality? Good. I especially like to not use the air pump frequently.
Then there is another good thing about these tires. I mounted a Straton friction drive ICE engine on the bike, it uses a 33cc Subaru Robin engine, with a 1" roller. In about 300 miles there has been no noticeable wear on the rear tire. Besides that, the roller has good friction against the Gotham tire.
Before putting on the Gotham tires and thick Slimed tubes, the bike got 138 mpg, with pedaling assist. After, the highest was 119 mpg, but this was also at a much higher speed. So, the comparison is sort of skewed.
Would I buy these tires again? No. Reason: the Kenda unknown model tires on my wife's Townie and on my FS MTB, hold air well and have much less rolling resistance. Sometimes less is more. Especially when it comes to rolling resistance.