Embrun and P3C size

[jp]

Hi James, first I hope to see you in Embrun next year (according to Hawaï wishes of course). I would like to know what is the size of your P3C (or P4C now ?). Thanks by advance and wish you the best. Jean-Pierre

[JamesCunnama]

Hi JP,

I hope to be back at Embrunman next year too!

I ride a 56cm P4 now (and rode a 56cm P3 last year at Embrunman).

[jp]

thanks a lot for this quick answer James. Just a last question : are you riding ROTOR Rings or standard rings ?

All the best for the end of the year

Jean-Pierre

[JamesCunnama]

Standard rings. Have never tried Rotorrings, but would like to some day maybe.

[trirusty]

Hello James,
Along the lines of the above questions, what about tyre sizes, do you have different on the front and rear, 19 and 23 or similar? Every second counts.....haha
Thanks James. Its gonna be an even bigger year this year for you im sure.....
Ross

[Matthieu O’Halloran - "M@"]

Hey trirusty, im not James but I know the answer!
Sometimes when old threads get resurrected they can get over-looked...

He used wide and thick Continental gator skin clinchers 

If every second counts.
On a bike course that has LONG, FAST and SHARP descents with ruff french roads.
That in the end a pragmatic equipment choice is faster and safer than a theoretic equipment choice!

I would wager that if he used (James please correct me if you dis-agree) skinny tubulars.
He and like most triathletes would have compromised both their confidence and performance!

[JamesCunnama]

Haha! Matty got there before me... But true to form, he is correct.
I used Conti Gatorskin clinchers in Embrunman (I think they were 23's). And Matty is right again in that it was not the experts first choice (or 2nd, or 3rd...). Those tyres have higher rolling resistance than most so not what scientists advise for races. But scientist don't race... and puncture resistance, puncture resistance, puncture resistance in that race.

As for your question - I haven't really seen much benefit in changing the tyre width. Narrow tyres feel 'slicker' but I am not convinced that translates to faster in the real world... 

Maybe someone who knows more about the +'s and -'s of each can tell you why people use which width and we can both learn something...

[DamienC]

James, after those 32s (yes, 32!) you did your first tri on, 23s must feel like razor blades! 

To me, the best tyres are the ones that are going to get me to the finish without hassles.  It's the same with choosing rims; you choose that which gives you the most confidence.

[doc]

wider better