|   Fat Freds : first point from the jury | Jan_Gerrit
Jan 20, 2002 6:38 AM | | I ran them at low but still safe pressure, perhaps about 2.3-2.5
The ride was relatively bumpy (roots and putholes), but not extreme.
My ride : 2x Schalbe FF 2.35", rigid Al fork. Front tire latex, rear a 125g tube.
Soil was wet, lots of pine-forest singletrack which was almost perfect.
Weak : passing through mudpools with tiretracks, the fat tires don't grip, but float.
Strong : Really great comfort, much better wet traction than the 2.0". Never got the front to slide in dry 90 degree corners, so I didn't find the limit of them yet. Very forgiving when making small errors.
Fast and twisty singletrack is great fun, grip sufficient. At on point I was taking a tight turn over a max. 1m high hill, with branches hitting my face, and both my tires lifting off. I think I'd crashed big time on narrow tires, or at least lost pace.
A buddy riding be hing me said I was putting down wide brakemarks, and indeed brakepower was more than we're just to from semi-slicks.
Over the loose and sucking soil, the floating effect makes it fast. Tarmac and smooth singletrack are simular with any good semi-slick.
Especially the latex-sealed front was SOOOO smooth, I find myself intentionally rinding over roots, which it evens out perfectly.
the rear was somewhat like an underpressured tire, allowing some sideways movement. Maybe it really wasn't inflated sufficiently, but I didn't have any problems.
Hmm, only now I realize that normally I have backpains, not today, riding a rigid...
Yes, it seems that these fatties are second only the 2.0" FF when it comes to weigh and rolling resistance over hardpack, but it sure scores high on grip and comfort. 500g for a full 2.20" wide tire? I think I found the tire for the upcoming season, I'll put them on my best wheels and only change when the terrain demands so.
People find them to look cool also, which is a nice bonus.
The fattties will take some getting used to for me, for they are still slicks, and will never become true knobbies. Over the next rides I will be trying to explore the limits of what these Mamma's can do. |
| Great info! <nm> | LiteSpeed
Jan 21, 2002 5:45 AM | | |
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