Wondering about Avocet Fastgrips 559X1.25

[PATRICK MOORE]

The very nice rolling Kojaks that I bought from a listmember have faulty (wire) beads that keep popping out and puncturing the tubes -- odd, after cutting off some 6" from the rear in two sections, I feel no place on the sidewall that does not have a bead: perhaps this was gross overlap?

Anyway, while waiting to contact Schwalbe for recourse, I've installed an old pair of Avocet Fastgrips, 559X1.25. They feel more sluggish than the Kojaks which, for their part, seem as good rolling as the very supple and light 1" Turbos. Odd, too, that they feel harder to my thumb at ~60 psi than did the Kojaks, tho' they roll smoothly enough at 60. I've bumped up pressure to ~75/70 f/r and will try that, but just may go back to the Turbos for the nonce.

Does anyone with experience of the Fastgrips, or well-informed scuttlebutt, have comments on the rolling-nature of this tire? Apart from my perception (and I'm always willing to be proved wrong) they look pretty good for my purpose: a  lightish, fastish, narrowish but durable tire for the Riv Commuter than can carry a 30 lb rear load without worrying about pinch flats.

Also: has anyone had my experience with Kojak or, more generally, Schwalbe beads?

Thanks.
--
"Believe nothing until it has been officially denied."
                                                   -- Claude Cockburn

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Patrick Moore, Albuquerque, NM, USA
For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW
http://resumespecialties.com/index.html
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[PATRICK MOORE]

Oh, and what is the actual on-rim, inflated (A) Width and (B) Height of the Grand Bois 559 Hetre 1.75?

[Tim McNamara]

On Sep 28, 2012, at 3:39 PM, PATRICK MOORE <bert...@gmail.com> wrote:

> The very nice rolling Kojaks that I bought from a listmember have faulty (wire) beads that keep popping out and puncturing the tubes -- odd, after cutting off some 6" from the rear in two sections, I feel no place on the sidewall that does not have a bead: perhaps this was gross overlap?
>
> Anyway, while waiting to contact Schwalbe for recourse, I've installed an old pair of Avocet Fastgrips, 559X1.25. They feel more sluggish than the Kojaks which, for their part, seem as good rolling as the very supple and light 1" Turbos. Odd, too, that they feel harder to my thumb at ~60 psi than did the Kojaks, tho' they roll smoothly enough at 60. I've bumped up pressure to ~75/70 f/r and will try that, but just may go back to the Turbos for the nonce.
>
> Does anyone with experience of the Fastgrips, or well-informed scuttlebutt, have comments on the rolling-nature of this tire? Apart from my perception (and I'm always willing to be proved wrong) they look pretty good for my purpose: a lightish, fastish, narrowish but durable tire for the Riv Commuter than can carry a 30 lb rear load without worrying about pinch flats.

The ones with a kevlar puncture belt were slower, but the other ones were reputed to be fast. They have great cornering grip IME. I found they lasted a long time but it's been years since I rode them.

[PATRICK MOORE]

I wonder if these are belted. They are very old, and nearly too dried up to use, but the tread is pretty new. Must check the sidewalls for information.

The Kojaks are belted too (I think all Kojaks are) but they have much more supple sidewalls. 

My bro has been riding a new pair of Kojaks on his 29er and has praised their grip. Me, since I ride fixed so much, my handling skills have degenerated to the point where I can hardly corner fast enough to test a tire's adhesion.

On Fri, Sep 28, 2012 at 11:36 PM, Tim McNamara <tim...@bitstream.net> wrote:

On Sep 28, 2012, at 3:39 PM, PATRICK MOORE <bert...@gmail.com> wrote:

> ... while waiting to contact Schwalbe for recourse, I've installed an old pair of Avocet Fastgrips, 559X1.25. They feel more sluggish than the Kojaks ...

The ones with a kevlar puncture belt were slower, but the other ones were reputed to be fast.  They have great cornering grip IME.  I found they lasted a long time but it's been years since I rode them.

[Michael Hechmer]

Patrick, if memory serves me right, The 700C fastgrip was part of Jan Hein's first roll out experiment.  You might look into that.  I ran the Avocet 700c x 38 Cross II for commuting and still use them off road. They are the biggest, heaviest tire I use on a single and I like them because  they roll pretty well, offer excellent wet and dirt road traction and have never punctured.  For a 26" tire we tour with the Marathon Racer on the tandem.  Mostly dirt roads.  I have found them to be a good ride on a bike that approaches 400 lbs, or well over while touring.

Michael

[PATRICK MOORE]

Michael: thanks for this. I know the Cross II or at least the model that preceded it some 10 years ago and found it a good all rounder tire, but for this bike I want a large (ish -- my definition of large is not everybody's), supple, light road tire and the Kojak is ideal (just measured and the Compass 26X1.75 is too tall for my Riv). 

Alas, I've long since given or traded away the back issues of BQ that discussed tire rolling resistance -- does anyone know how the Fastgrip performed?

The Kojak is really a wonderful tire; if it were not a $ issue I'd just go out an buy another pair. Meanwhile, I'm waiting to hear back from the NA distributor for Schwalbe.

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[Brewster Fong]

Agree. I use to ride the old Japanese made Avocet Fasgrip Road 30 700x28 (actually measured between 24-26mm wide) tires and found them to be excellent. When Avocet moved their production over to Korea - all black tire, it wasn't the same. Too bad, Avocet tires were good tires.

Interestingly, I was digging into the back of bike cabinet and found a brand new in the box Avocet Fasgrip Road 30 700x28 tire! Yow, that thing is at least 10 years old if not more. Does anyone know whether its worth anything? Or should I put it on my bike and just ride it? Thanks! 

[Jay in Tel Aviv]

Patrick,

I often find that the UK websites have good prices on tires. I checked
SJS for you and they have Kojaks for 25 quid, about 35 US. Folding
bead were about 50 US. I don't remember how much they get for
shipping, but they vat dedction would offset part of it and it may be
free if you order enough.
Happy shopping and happy rolling.

Jay

> >>http://resumespecialties.com/**index.html<http://resumespecialties.com/index.html>

[PATRICK MOORE]

Thanks, Jay. IIRC the wires go for about the same in the US, tho' I gather there may be availability issues. $50 US for the folding tho; is $5 to $10 less than most here.

Let's see what the distributor does or does not do ... and I've still got a pair on the Fargo.

[Jay in Tel Aviv]

Yeah. Thinking about it again I got the math all wrong. 25 quid X 1.6
is about 40 US, not 50, for the kevlar bead. Add shipping and subtract
VAT.

On Sep 29, 10:25 pm, PATRICK MOORE <bertin...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Thanks, Jay. IIRC the wires go for about the same in the US, tho' I gather
> there may be availability issues. $50 US for the folding tho; is $5 to $10
> less than most here.
>
> Let's see what the distributor does or does not do ... and I've still got a
> pair on the Fargo.
>

[PATRICK MOORE]

Thanks again -- that's a damn' good price for Kevlar bead. Will keep that in mind, tho' I hope Schwalbe will give me a pair for free in warranty.

And SJS have the Nelson Longflap for 50 quid -- $80....

[PATRICK MOORE]

Uh oh: you prolly meant 25 quid for the WIRE bead, no? Still ....

[Jay in Tel Aviv]

Patrick,

No mistake this time - 15 for the rigid, 25 for folding.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/schwalbe-kojak-hs385-rigid-tyre-26-inch-%28559%29-prod25554/
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/schwalbe-kojak-hs385-raceguard-folding-tyre-26-inch-%28559%29-prod26334/

It's often less expensive to buy European goods directly than pay the
US importer's markup. And you get VAT deducted. Carradice in
particular, UK prices for new kit are often less than used in the US,
including shipping.

Jay

On Oct 1, 12:38 am, PATRICK MOORE <bertin...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Uh oh: you prolly meant 25 quid for the WIRE bead, no? Still ....
>
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> On Sun, Sep 30, 2012 at 2:25 PM, PATRICK MOORE <bertin...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Thanks again -- that's a damn' good price for Kevlar bead. Will keep that
> > in mind, tho' I hope Schwalbe will give me a pair for free in warranty.
>
> > And SJS have the Nelson Longflap for 50 quid -- $80....
>