I used to think these were great - despite the cuts they'd suffered and their very fragile sidewalls. They're very light and feel quick.
However, both tyres came off the rims at Crystal Palace about 6 weeks ago on the adverse camber at the top of the descent. The inner tubes exploded and dumped me on the ground with a loud bang. Lots of missing skin.
I should have realised that I was in for trouble sooner. Both tyres had become so loose on the Campag Eurus rims that I could get them off the wheels with just my thumb and forefinger.
Upon analysis, it seems that the combination of the corner, speed and my weight caused the tyres to lift and the latex tubes to find their way out between the bead and the rim. Each green tube had about a 2" slit with black rubber marks around it.
The tyres were seated properl beforehand and nothing like this has ever happened to me before. I've spoken the UK Schwalbe distributors and I keep meaning to send the tyres to them.
I've subsequently changed to Continental GP4000s tyres and haven't had any problems at all. They're amazingly intact too - no cuts at all. A huge advance on the standard 4000.
Posted: 03/09/2007 18:05
