Specialized tire testing video on i-am-specialized

Created on 05 April 2009 Conrad

Specialized tire specialist Frank Stacey and I talking tires at the Stellenbosch testing in January 09.

I have been incredibly busy since my arrival in the US 2 weeks ago. Moved to Reno NV from Bend OR, did 3 days’ tire testing with Specialized and I bought a car. (yes, the legendary Red Rocket fizzled and died, now I have a 95 Toyota Previa- I like last centuries’ cars)

Of course there is training too.

And the 112 unread emails! As I plowed through most of them this morning I bumped into this great video for our Specialized Tire testing camp in Stellenbosch, South Africa earlier this ye

Specialized tire testing II

Created on 02 April 2009 Conrad

In search of the holy rubber…

Following up on earlier tire testing in Stellenbosch*, Specialized’s tire whiz guys came up with 5 new prototypes to test. The goal is to make a tire that is very puncture resistant, but still rolls well and doesnt weigh as much as a tractor tire.

*Read earlier blog Tire testing Stellenbosch.

We know we have great tread patterns in the Fast Trak LK and The Captain, its a matter of making a strong, light, flexible casing. With an emphisis on STRONG.

Yesterday we tested rolling resistance of the 5 prototypes and also a few competitors’ tires. First I rode the rollers with a Power Tap and took Wattage outputs at 25km/h and 35km/h. Some tires needed 560 Watts to go 35km/h, and with the cold legs, the unfamiliar rollers, and keeping the speed at exactly 35 at 1500m altitude took some huffing and puffing!

In just 4 airline meals,

Created on 22 March 2009 Conrad

I went from this:

Roodewalshoek, Lydenburg, South Africa

Roodewalshoek, Lydenburg, South Africa (Yes, that is a Cheryl Crow speedo)

To this:

Reno, Nevada, USA

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Specialized tire testing video on i-am-specialized

Specialized tire testing II

In just 4 airline meals,

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