Schwalbe Ultremo ZX - Yeh...No....

[2wd]

Just fitted these on my Allez Sport and took it out for its first ride tonight with them on

First impressions are they are superb,feel very smooth and noticeably quicker than the Sepecialized ones that were on.... Yeh

Then I came across a big metal flat square manhole cover with a pothole right on its edge

The only thing I could think of doing as I saw it was to try and bunny hop it (well sort of if you can imagine a 13 stone bunny )

Next thing BANG,rear tyre flat .... No

Tried to pump it up no luck and no spare inner!

Got my Son to pick me up and just checked it now,the valve is totalled

Would this have happened on the Specialized tyres?,maybe the LBS who fitted them overinflated them?

Or just bad luck ?

 

[potsy]

I think those tyres only work beween April and September, they should hibernate like polar bears for the winter

 

[stu1903]

I also run Schwalbe Ultremo ZX tyres and love them. I use the red ones like you to pimp my bike up a little Lol.

I blew my rear tyre on the first ride with them as I met the tarmac on a wet day. Had two tears on the side wall so sent them back to Ribble Cycles and they sent me two new ones! Result. Don't know if they meant to send me two new ones as my initial order was for two but I only sent one back.

 

[fossyant]

Bad Luck.

I did something similar with brand new Pro Race2's. 1 ride hit pothole, 2nd ride, same direction, hit the pothole again whilst looking out for it. Two snake bites in a row.

 

[gds58]

I use these same Schwalbe tyres and I personally think that they're brilliant. I think you just had a bit of bad luck with the way the wheel/tyre hit the pothole. I think it would be generally quite difficult to over inflate these as they are rated to 145psi and you are more likely to get a puncture from a 'pinch' if the tyre is under-inflated. I'd stick with them but keep them for the better weather as they are very lighweight. Also there is a tiny lesson to be learnt in that you should always carry at least one if not two spare inner tubes and either a mini pump or inflating cartridges in your pocket. The extra few grammes in your pocket will save you a whole load of grief if you happen to be a long way from home and suffer a flat. I hope you don't mind the little bit of advice! Graham

 

[Chrisz]

I use them in the summer months - great tyres which slip on/off without the aid of levers

I now have them on my winter wheels to "kill" them (can't afford new winter tyres at present ) but they will be replaced with either Pro Race 4s or Ultremo ZXs in the spring when I put the nice wheels back on the bike

 

[HLaB]

Bad Luck.

I did something similar with brand new Pro Race2's. 1 ride hit pothole, 2nd ride, same direction, hit the pothole again whilst looking out for it. Two snake bites in a row.

I think bad luck has a lot to do with it, my original conti Grand Prix on the front got nearly 8,000 miles No p'ture. It got put to the rear and only got 1 p'ture in 3000 miles. The replacement a 22mm Grand Prix only lasted about 300 miles before it suffered a side wall gash (write off :-( ). Its replacement (another 22mm Grand Prix) got 2800 miles and 3 snake bites before suffering the same fate. I've replaced both tyres now with 24mm grand prix's and touch wood the side walls are still good but both have been penetrated within 300 and 500 miles, respectively.

 

[Enw.nigel]

I am using these tyres at the moment but notice a number of CC'ers recommend changing them now for 'winter' tyres. Now this is something that I've never actually done before (changing tyres depending on the season)and am now beginning to wonder why. I am riding the same roads which, I admit, are sometimes a great deal wetter than summer but otherwise little difference.
Can someone enlighten me?

 

[HLaB]

I am using these tyres at the moment but notice a number of CC'ers recommend changing them now for 'winter' tyres. Now this is something that I've never actually done before (changing tyres depending on the season)and am now beginning to wonder why. I am riding the same roads which, I admit, are sometimes a great deal wetter than summer but otherwise little difference.
Can someone enlighten me?

Part of it for them will be due to the tyre, but a lot if not the greater part of it will be how they ride (less leaning on bends etc and you'll notice the lack of grip less) and what pressures they are running (too high affects the grip in the wet). I hope that makes sense :-)

 

[Scousegaz]

Wet weather also tends to wash all the debris thats usually safe sitting in the gutter back out onto the road surface due to car splashes etc making your lighweight Schwalbes more prone to punctures. I was running Ultremo R1's in dry conditions and put 600 miles on without a hitch, wet weather arrives and I managed to accumulate 5 punctures and a blow out in 150 miles!!!! Schwalbe replaced them along with 2 tubes sending me the ZX tyres and i've saved them for the summer and threw a pair of Michelin Krylions on that I picked up fairly cheaply on ebay

 

[2wd]

@gds58,no problem Graham,always listen to advice,especially when I'm learning

Re the changing tyres over for winter use

I dont think I'll be leaning to hard into bends just yet, and I can understand the washing of debris into the road, but I think we get wetter weather in summer than winter these days

My LBS fitted the new inner today as I needed one anyway,plus I was being bone idle ,they recommended 100psi

They also checked the front one, which was put on by another LBS (coudn't go back there as I couldn't face beeing accused of being bone idle twice ) and they said the front was less than 100psi.

I like my pimped bike, so unless there are some red winter tyres, I'll leave these on

 

[Enw.nigel]

Thanks for the replies. This will put the kiss of death on it but I've been lucky this year as far as punctures go. I'll see how it goes and leave the Ultremo zx's on for now. I always run with 95-100psi in the front and 110psi in the back whatever the weather conditions. Might be a bit more careful on bends though in the wet.

 

[2wd]

Just come back my regular 8 mile run and it's been the most enjoyable 8 miles on a bike, EVER

I am seriously impressed (as long as I stay p******e free) with these tyres.

There is virtually no resistance, and the places where I normally drop into the middle ring, I stayed in the big ring.

Unless I could go round, I also learnt to stand on the pedals in dodgy areas to absorb the impact.

Very pleased and well worth the £50.00 for the pair

(fingers crossed,fingers crossed,please dont let me down )