Life In The Saddle

I am an advocate of the benefits of going bigger, when it comes to road cycling tyres. Greater volume means more comfort, more grip, and research suggests very little increase in rolling resistance. As a result, I was pleased to be testing the 28c version of Vee Tire Co.'s Road Runner tyres this autumn; this is the largest size tyre that will fit into most standard road bike frames. The Road Runner is pitched as a do-it-all road tyre: providing grip, puncture protection, and longevity. With my riding focussing largely on endurance challenges, it appeared to be a good fit. Despite a relatively low thread-per-inch of 90 TPI, the Road Runner promises traction from first inspection; the rubber compound feeling tacky to the touch. The low thread count does mean that the tyres are relatively quite heavy, at 280 grams for the 28c version. But, the added rubber in the casing translates into greater durability, and puncture resistance. Out on the road, the Road Runner feels sure-f...

I rack up a serious number of miles commuting on the bike, and the search for the perfect tyre choice is an ongoing pursuit. Cyclocross tyres offer that extra grip and off-road adventure capabilities; but they are slow on tarmac. Narrow road tyres are more likely to puncture (especially with a pannier load), and they are less likely to grip in challenging winter conditions. With the tubeless Roll-DIAC Tyres from the Vee Tire Company though, I think I might have found the solution. The Roll-DIAC is the same tyre as the 'Rain-Runner' in the current Vee Tire range; but it will soon be released in this new guise, featuring a larger 30c volume option (as tested here). The tyre promises exceptional grip and puncture protection, in all conditions. Easily mounted up tubeless, using the Lezyne Overdrive Pressure Pump and Effetto Mariposa Caffelatex Sealant , the tyres looked good quality from the outset. Out on the road, the tyres are impressively fast. The relatively light c...

I fitted the Vee Tire Co. Rail Tyres to my Kona Private Jake CX bike for testing a few weeks ago, and they have quite honestly revolutionised the ride. That bike has always been fast and capable, but this set of new treads has made it an off-road speed demon. The Vee Rail tyres mounted up easily on tubeless-specific Novatec rims, using the Lezyne Digital Pressure Overdrive Charger Pump . I used CaffeLatex sealant for both tyres, and both were inflated to 36 PSI (2.5bar) for testing (my standard cyclocross tubeless test pressure). The first thing that surprised me with the Rail tyres, was how fast they roll on tarmac. The tread pattern suggests that they should roll well, but they honestly feel as fast as a 32c semi slick tyre. Given their added volume and weight compared to skinnier treads, this is impressive. Head off-road though, and the Rail tyres really excel. On gravel they absorb the vibration and shock, thanks to their added volume and tubeless low pressures. On sand t...