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Racing on Furious Fred?
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Avertised at around 350g for a 29:er tyre got my attention.
Does anyone have experience using these at races? Will they work as a rear tyre at e.g. Ourimbah (assuming it is reasonably dry) without flats? Can they be setup as tubless or will it require massive amounts of sealant?
My concern is ripping a sidewall and the race is over but the weight is very attractive so if they do work then it could be the way to go.
Anyone who's been through this and can offer their experience?
Cheers!
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....I used the Schwalbe Thunder Burt (sits between the Furious Fred and Racing Ralph weight and tread wise) at the Convict 100km. I punctured the tubeless setup 20km in to the race on the rear tyre going over a branch(sidewall cut but nearer to the tread then rim)....resealed it another 2x over the next 10km but it would hold for a while and then go down. Eventually put in a tube and carried on, but when my 3rd TUBE punctured on Sheperds gully, I didn’t even try flag someone down, but just walked the rest of the way back to the road and got a lift back to St Albans….. I decided 6 punctures was enough for me and pulled out.
I had only one tube with me and one air canister so spend most my race at the side of the track shouting to people to ask for a tube/pump/canister, but understandably, people are reluctant to hand over their spares 20-30km into a race.
Would it have happened with my regular Racing Ralph's??? Who knows, but it has put me off and I will take the extra 100g. I can also tell you that when using them on singletrack the minimal tread means you have to slow down more into the corners which likely negates the benefit of a lighter tire.
Remove pedals, put on furious Fred's , one of those stupid tioga plastic saddles, weigh the bike on a park tools scale and take a photo.
Now, take the FFs and the saddle off, list them on ebay, post your photo on weight weenies and mtbr, Put the serviceable bike back together and go ride on your sub 10 kilo wunda bike
I've tried furious Fred's. Once.
I punctured on the oaks, the superhighway of mtbing.
They now sit in a cupboard.
As pharmaboy said really.
Reliability over weight for a race.
no go for FF
But these are surprisingly good, and light.
http://www.notubes.com/The-Crow-Tire-29x20-P158....
Ive used ff on two cape-cape's same tyres never punctured guess I got about 1000km on them now at the right pressure 32-35 there fast rolling braking hard they won't help You'll just keep sliding into the fence matched mine with captain up front ,but did use them on front & rear not a good idea
I have been running thunder burts in combination with rocket Ron alson t/burts on their own depending on the track. Did amb 100 66km no problem, I only run snake skin! Around 500g for a full protection real mtb tyre is pretty good less rolling resistance than f/Fred(which is not in my opinion a real mtb tyre).,you only get a short life on these tyres. They are premium race tyres.run at around 26-28 psi and t/burts grip and corner nearly as well as Ralf. These tyres superseed Fred so don't bother with Fred.
Oh, I've used TBs for a while now and once I got the tyre pressure nailed (for me 25psi) I started to like them. If they are as fast as FFs then it makes little sense to risk punctures for a 150g weight loss.
What do you weigh, staffe? Which version of the TB are you using (eg 29x2.25, snakeskin sidewall)? Rims?
Sorry for the 20 questions ... I find it really useful to compare notes. Getting tyres to work properly is kind of important but trial and error is not without risk.
I think I'm down to around 60 kgs now.
The TB's I use are the 2.1 raceguard http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/au/en/schwalb...
Rims are a pair of standard Bontrager Race Lite. Will replace these for next season with proper stuff but they suffice for now.
For these Tyres to work the pressure needs to be spot on. To hard and not much grip. To low and it gets a bit all over the shop.
Yes I've found the same for Schwalbe rubber. A very narrow band in which they work. I still like them but attention to detail is important.
Maxxis seem to be more forgiving. But heavy.
I'm nowhere near the sharp end so maybe I should worry about weight less.
I have a set of Fred and a set of Burts at home. I use neither.
The Burts I took to Wingello for a training ride, I will admit - no punctures - but after two aggressive laps of the Red Loop, the middle section of tread was completely smooth in some places - the nobs had been skidded off in 45km!
They gave little / no confidence on the fast loose corners, and wouldnt let you brake hard enough without skidding - no traction to grip and slow you down.
The Freds - they really dont grip at all.
As many people have said before - the first priority of tyres is that they stay inflated. That was the last design feature considered when they conceived the Freds /Burts. the second priority for a tyre is that they grip the ground. Again - not on the designers spec sheet.
I wouldnt risk it. And I have tried everything, and also love a light tyre.
The Spec Renegades are great (sub 500grms in the 1.95 S-works casing) for most things, the Racing Ralph (2.1 or 2.25) is also light enough and fast enough. At the strong end of the scale is the Maxxis Ikon Evo - slightly heavier (580grm) but totally bomb proof and roll really well.