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eg6sir

Supa Mod
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Picked up a Felt Brougham from my neighbor for $35 yesterday. Needs a rear tire and tube, but I'm not sure where to begin because I'm just getting into it. Tire says 23x622 (700x23c). Would a 700x23 work? Can't find anything with a C. Also, what are the differences between tire types? ie: clincher
 
OK, after reading around looks like I want a clincher tire(built in tube) for ease of installation
 
You at correct. Clinchers are easier to change out on the road. As far as the c designation it doesn't mean anything anymore really. Just a hold over from back n the day before tire companies built them to ISO standards.
 
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Also if you are riding the fixed side assuming it still has a flip flop hub make sure your lock ring is tight before you ride. And foot retention makes it a lot easier to slow down if you want to resist the crank.

I bought a Windsor The Hour Plus earlier this year and run it fixed for my commute.
 
from what im finding those tires seem undersized
most of the specs im seeing show either a 25 or 28 tire on that bike
i would probably go with a 25... they have a good combo of low rolling resistance and absorb cracks and bumps pretty well
for the tube, just get a tube that falls within the tire size you plan on running

the C in the tire size stands for "Clincher" and is really just a leftover relic from the days when tubular tires were more common
clincher really just means that it is a bead seated tire (like all other tires that you are likely familiar with)

this is a cross section of a Clincher tire/tube/rim
1: rim, 2: rim strip, 3: rim braking surface, 4: bead core, 5: inner tube, 6: casing, 7: tread
290px-Sezione_cerchione_bicicletta.svg.png


here is a comparison vs a tubular tire
where the tube is part of the tire and there is no bead the tire is actually glued to the rim
ZKHuQ.jpg



as for the tires themselves
i recommend the Continental Grand Prix 4000S II
they seem to have a very good combo of durability, puncture/pinch resistance, life span, weight
they are not the lightest tire out there but they are very durable

will likely be my next tire when i wear through my current ones
 
Contentials are solid. I was looking at their line for my fixed and Allez as well.
 
from what im finding those tires seem undersized
most of the specs im seeing show either a 25 or 28 tire on that bike
i would probably go with a 25... they have a good combo of low rolling resistance and absorb cracks and bumps pretty well
for the tube, just get a tube that falls within the tire size you plan on running
you think a 700x25 would be better? Also, is a tube needed with a clincher since it has one built in?

Also if you are riding the fixed side assuming it still has a flip flop hub make sure your lock ring is tight before you ride. And foot retention makes it a lot easier to slow down if you want to resist the crank.

.

free wheel hub, w/ brakes... i'll be a casual/occasional rider, not very hardcore

I was looking at the Continental Ultra Sport since its more of a beginners tire it seems, plus the price is just about right for what i'm looking to spend

attached a pic of the bike, came with Weinmann DP18 rims too
 

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needs new grips too, old ones were all sticky.... any suggestions?

since you suggest a 25 over a 23, should i replace the front along with the rear if i upsize it? Or would a 23 be fine on the front for the time being?
 
those tires get pretty "meh" reviews from what im seeing
some like them some hate them... they do seem somewhat flat prone

for now get a tire that matches the one thats on there currently
and go with that until its time to replace them

you know your road/surface conditions better than i do... you might be perfectly fine with a 23... and if you are just looking to get in to this then dont go spend $100 on tubes tires to find out its not your thing... get a matching 23 and tube and put miles on... you will figure out what you need to do from there :)
 
as for grips... thats going to be a pretty personal choice
id recommend going to a local bike shop or a place like REI and actually putting your hands on some grips to see what you like

on a flat bar bike i like grips with a palm rest like the Ergon GP1 or with a side grip like the GP2 (these are nice on longer rides, as they allow you some more options for moving your hands around and changing your grip to reduce fatigue)
some people do prefer a standard round grip though
really up to you... go put your hands on a bunch and make your choice
 
oh.... and a standard type (clincher) bike tire will need a tube... they do not have one built in
tubulars have the tube built in but those are for an entirely different rim and seem to be a pain in the ass from what i have read (not literally, the ride of them is actually supposed to be quite pleasant and cushy comparatively)
 
Great advise, thanks... My neighbor happened to have a Continental Ultra Sport in a 25 w/ tube that I picked up for $5.. Just need some grips and lights now
 
for the lights start here
https://www.bikelightdatabase.com
they have reviews and beam comparisons of a lot of lights


for a taillight:
the Cygolite Hotshot and Hotshot SL are outstanding lights both are USB rechargable (friend has the SL,very nice light with a ton of output adjustment)

the Light and Motion Viz 180 Micro is a good light for night time group rides where you dont want to blind the shit out of the people behind you, also has some side lighting to it to help cars see you a little better, but it doesnt flash, it just kinda pulses... not the most attention catching thing out there for sure, it does have one of the most secure mounts to a bag ive seen clicks closed very well and has never fallen off on my bike

the Planet Bike Super Flash is also a great light... very bright and very attention catching... not as adjustable as the Cygolite, it just has a steady on or a flash mode, but the model i have takes standard AAA batteries and runs for 74 hours or more (this is my long ride light as i like that i can swap batteries on the road if needed)

my first taillight was the NiteRider TL5.0SL... to be honest when compared to other higher end lights, it kinda sucks... but it has a few blink options and it takes 2 AAA batteries and lasted for over 2 years before it finally fell off my bag for the umpteenth time and i just said fuck it and kept riding instead of stopping turning around and picking it up again and putting it all back together... but its probably the least expensive taillight out there at under $10 and it does work

there are tons of other lights out there these just happen to be the ones i have experience with


for the headlight:
i have the Serfas TSL250 from about 5 years ago... its a good light... its USB rechargeable, and Serfas makes a replacement battery that can be swapped out easily for when the onboard battery dies or if you need longer run times... it is well outclassed by newer lights
their 550 and 750 models put out WAY more light still have the replaceable battery and can also be used with an external 4 cell battery pack for ridiculous run times

my friend has the Cygolite Streak 310, it puts out more light than my Serfas (obviously) has a pretty good beam pattern...also USB rechargeable has little cutouts that let light out on the sides for added visibility, no replaceable battery though (can be bought packaged with the Hotshot SL for under $60) it is a great urban commuter or bike trail light

those are the only 2 i have experience with... neither is really top of the line.. but both work well for their current use
im going to need to get a brighter light for my roadbike before it starts getting dark early as neither of these will make me all that comfortable at 20+ mph on the bike trail at night

ive been looking a lot at the Light & Motion headlights... they have one of the best beam patterns ive seen... but the lack of a replaceable battery holds me back on those

there are some other lights from smaller or independent companies that look awesome i just dont know if i trust them to be around in a year lol

hopefully that will help get you started
 
I have the Cygolight hotshot 310 with the rear light. I have really liked them both minus the front light not working unless it's plugged in. Now looking for a solution online it seems like that is a really rare occurrence
 
Thanks guys, I was looking at those little silicone led lights(2 sets for $14). I will probably never ride at night unless its for the full moon bike ride the local bike group puts together every full moon. So I'd be riding with a big group. Realized the DP18s got a slight wobble, so they need some adjusting.
 
$12/rim, 1 bent spoke... should be under $30. will be ready thursday, same day my amazon order comes in. Full moon bike ride Friday evening, just in time
 
attached a pic of the bike, came with Weinmann DP18 rims too
Is that a 90-93 Accord in the reflection on that Integra?


EDIT* After I zoomed in it looks like a tacoma
 
I've been getting into MTB. I plan on doing some cross training on the road when I can get a good road bike. I've got an old free spirit, but the bottom bracket is junk and it's not really worth replacing.

Here's my specialized hardrock. Also my buddy's surley krampus.
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