I just wanted to add that I've got some miles in on my Grand Bois 700Cx30 tires I bought from Jan on some logging roads very similar to the typical Tuscan strade bianche and found them very stable and sure footed. They might be a good choice for L'Eroica as they seem to roll fast and smooth on paved road as well.
Kurt Sperry Bellingham WA USA
On 9/10/07, Paul Lee <Paul.Lee@aeroflex.com> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> As L'Eroica gets closer I'm refining our choices of rides to take over
> there. I've posted a few pictures to wooljersey along with some of the
> brake
> variations for Rita's Raleigh International with 650b's.
>
> http://www.wooljersey.com/
>
> I had built up a Motobecane Grand Jubilee but the French bottom bracket
> threads were a bit loose after chasing and I abandoned it at the first
> sign
> of the fixed cup loosening. Besides, at 63 cm, the frame would be a tight
> fit into the bike travel case. Rita's pink Bianchi seemed like an
> appropriate choice but the 650b tire clearance was too close.
>
> Rita is not going for the style points as she wants the security and
> comfort
> of SPD pedals and aero brake levers. She is using friction bar end
> shifting
> though.
>
> On our test rides, the orange Ron Cooper turned out to be a blast on the
> trails with Grand Bois Cypres tires. Rita is pleased with the stability of
> the Panaracer Col de la Vie 650b tires when the trail gets loose. The
> bumps
> are softened too.
>
> I'm sure I'll be tweaking the bikes between now and when we leave but it
> is
> a relief to have narrowed down the choices with a week or so to spare. Ron
> Cooper and Raleigh International it is.
>
> Regards,
>
> Paul Lee
> Huntington, New York USA
>
>
>
>
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