This might be an unpopular opinion but in my experience wheel weight, and where in the wheel the weight is, can make a difference. Of course the amount of difference it makes is likely to depend on the total payload of the bike and rider. (Clearly I'm verging on religious territory here, but I can perceive a difference when riding my 19ish# go-fast (Salsa Primero) and my 30+# LHT. I did an 18 mile uphill TT on these bikes (using a similar gear ratio) to see if reality matched my perceptions. Indeed I made it up the hill faster on the lighter bike.)
My cross bike with 35c Marathons feels pokey on the road compared to when I'm running 28c Gatorskins. On rough gravel roads I feel just the opposite! I probably lose more water weight on a long ride than the Marathons weigh more than the Gatorskins, true. However, they sure feel different when riding. Only going down to 32s, it doesn't sound like you're going to go weight weenie so who knows if you'll get up the hills faster. But maybe the smaller tire with higher PSI will make you feel faster. Totally counts for something. Can you borrow a wheel set from someone and see what you think? On Aug 5, 2:57 pm, Solomander <[email protected]> wrote: > I have an AHH that's running 36 spoked Velocity wheels and 35 mm Panaracer > Paselas. My original priorities were bombproof and plush riding. The ride > is undeniably cushy, but there are times when I wouldn't mind it if the bike > was a bit quicker- especially on hills. I have been contemplating running > 32 mm Paselas and/or going to a somewhat lighter wheelset. I still wonder > how much real world difference these changes would make. What do you think? > > Joel -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
