Re: [CR] sewup tires vs. clinchers

(Example: Racing:Jean Robic)

In-Reply-To: <022c01c4f1eb$450a5490$6b7ba8c0@julian>
References: <022c01c4f1eb$450a5490$6b7ba8c0@julian>
From: "Todd Kuzma" <tullio@theramp.net>
Subject: Re: [CR] sewup tires vs. clinchers
Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2005 19:01:32 -0600
To: Julian Shapiro <julians@optonline.net>
cc: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org

On Jan 3, 2005, at 5:23 PM, Julian Shapiro wrote:
> Velonews: The teams using the Hutchinson tubeless tires in the Tour
> are Saeco and Brioches La Boulangére, on Mavic wheels, and R.A.G.T.
> Semences-MG Rover on Shimano wheels.
>
> Continental site: In the season 2004 we team up with Team T-Mobile
> (Germany), LottoDomo (Belgium), Credit Agricole (France), Phonak
> (Switzerland) und Saunier Duval (Spain)..... In the race this teams
> use tubulars.
>
> Michelin:....teams like Mapei-Quick Step, Lotto, AG2R Prévoyance,
> Panaria, Rona, Saturn, Bonjour, Tacconi Sport-Vini Calderola, La
> Française des Jeux and Jean Delatour, the new Pro Light has proven
> itself ideal for time trials and other events

And just like in the old days, what the manufacturers claim and what the riders actually use are often two different things. Notice many pictures of Lance riding tires with black tread and tan sidewalls (very retro) in the mountain stages of the Tour last year. USPS is sponsored by Hutchinson yet they don't offer any tires like that.

Two more things: First, you can argue clinchers vs. sew-ups to death and still not get anywhere. Second, who cares what the pros ride anyway? Do you have a team car or Mavic neutral support following YOU wherever YOU go?

Todd Kuzma
Tullio's Big Dog Cyclery
Heron Bicycles
LaSalle IL 815-223-1776
http://www.tullios.com/
http://www.heronbicycles.com/