Specialized Tire Testing

Conrad wrote a great report on the week spent with Specialized and co testing tires on rollers, trail, and tarmac with various objectives in mind. It was a privilege joining the international guys – observing, learning, and offering my naive opinion. That said, I felt confident that Conrad and I represented a more realistic market demographic in body weight, riding style, and therefore, specific tire need. When the dust settled out on the trail, and the rolling figures were inked down the columns, my expectations had shifted. Tires. Its all about the tires.

(My wing-man Dylan van der Merwe)

Considering it was my maiden voyage on rollers, the crowds gathered, camera’s in hand and all bearing a foreknowing grin. There were couple of close calls with wobbles like a drunken student walking up Victoria Street, to the “oooh” of the crowd, but nothing spectacular. Once composed, I’d have to hold 25km/h, and then take it up to 35km/h. Data soon made it evident that a tire is not a tire, is not a tire. Cant even say a tread pattern is a tread pattern. I’d roll with four different casing’s in the same tread pattern, and there would be significant wattage differentials. The rollers with its smaller contact area accentuate the difference, but still remarkable differences.

(A strategically close wall for the mayday moments)

But the real testing would be more subjective. Although, after two days I was able to be more concise and objective and trust my ‘feel’ increasingly. We spent three days in Jonkershoek, doing a small lap – Conrad and I – swapping wheels, doing the lap again, and then filling in Frank’s paper work.

(Taking in the brief – higher grade stuff – more so than the usual Jonkershoek ride at least…)

(Benno, Conrad, Frank, myself, and Dylan)

Considering I hardly ever write, and would much prefer typing and printing a shopping list, it took some patience from Frank to decipher the hieroglyphics on my sheets. Even the Caveman seemed at a loss?

(When last did I hold a pen?)

(More into holding my line these days)

Thing is, Conrad and I race an Xterra course, roughly 30km in length, across trail that often hasnt been ridden much at all. There is no tech zone for repair and back up every 2km, and generally speaking, the margin’s are greater and allow more lenience. So instead of joining the chase for a sub 400g tire, we were trying to find a suitable compromise between 1. sidewall strength 2. rolling resistance 3. weight. Probably a reverse of the World Cup circuit order.

I did test one of the lighter tires – like tasting something forbidden, so sweet yet such a sin. I could not believe the difference in feel, the acceleration, the cornering, traction, overall handling of this lighter, softer compound. Perhaps I could do a 10month fast – of Marcel’s Frozen Yoghurt, Ben and Jerry’s in the States, Melissa’s chocolate cake, Col Cacchios pizza’s, the occasional Yogisip (only the 1l version’s), and then feel safer on the lighter tires…

(Conrad and I in the office)

All the grand photo’s are by Gary Perkin. I was a fan on his work long before realising he is South African, based in Cape Town. Please check out Flipper.

So cheers – to a season ahead with no flats, no burbs, easy seating, great handling all on a tire I had a small input on.