Re: [CR]Grand Bois traditional looking clinchers for your Vintage

(Example: Framebuilders:Pino Morroni)

Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:57:27 -0400
From: "Michael Schmidt" <mdschmidt56@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]Grand Bois traditional looking clinchers for your Vintage
In-reply-to: <a06230922c415cd757755@[192.168.1.33]>
To: Jan Heine <heine94@earthlink.net>, Tom Sanders <tesanders@comcast.net>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Thread-topic: [CR]Grand Bois traditional looking clinchers for your Vintage
Thread-index: AciSuWytq1gT8v6sEdy8ogAWy8lbaw==


I recently added a set of Maxi-Car wheels shod with Grand Bois Hetre tires to my 1960 Dujardin. Have a look at some of the updated photos:

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/Mike-Schmidts-Bikes/Dujardin/

I am still messing with the lighting so forgive the messy wiring. Mike Schmidt Stirling, NJ USA

On 3/30/08 7:20 PM, "Jan Heine" <heine94@earthlink.net> wrote:
> At 3:21 PM -0400 3/30/08, Tom Sanders wrote:
>> I like the looks of these tires, but have heard cautionary tales of their
>> fragility. Can anyone with actual riding experience on them comment?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Tom Sanders Lansing, Michigan USA
>
> I have been riding these tires almost exclusively for more than a
> year. In Paris-Brest-Paris, I used well-worn tires (which have a
> thinner tread and are significantly faster), and I had 3 flats over
> 765 miles of riding in constant rain.
>
> Melinda Lyon used unworn Grand Bois tires, and had one flat.
>
> The Grand Bois tires are not as flat-proof as some other tires, but I
> think they compare well to other high-performance tires. You gain a
> lot in speed and comfort, but you lose a bit in puncture-resistance.
> In a long event, you'll still be faster, even if you have to fix a
> few flats (I estimate that the worn tires saved me 1 hour in PBP, and
> fixing a flat takes 5 minutes at most.)
>
> If you tend to have a lot of flats - say, you live in goathead
> country, or you just have bad luck - I would not recommend these
> tires. Otherwise, give them a try. I know quite a few people in
> Seattle who commute on them, and are very happy.
>
> Disclaimer: Vintage Bicycle Press is the North American distributor
> of Grand Bois tires.
>
> Jan Heine
> Editor
> Bicycle Quarterly
> Vintage Bicycle Press
> Seattle, WA
> http://www.bikequarterly.com