Schwalbe Kojaks

[PATRICK MOORE]

I just replaced the 59X1" Turbos (very nice, light -- 200 gr -- road
tires, just too skinny for this "fast errand" bike) with the 1.35
Kojaks which measure exactly 30.75 mm pr my Pep Boys digital caliper
and fit very nicely on the '03 custom Riv Road which has clearances
much like those of a 1992 XO-1. In fact, I am sure I could get 32,
perhaps even 35s under the fenders if the fenders were wide enough: I
was surprised that the crowding is the edges of the 650B, 45 mm
Berthouds; there are at least 5 mm of clearance under the fender bolts
at brake bridge and crown.

One slightly annoying thing is that the tire must be deflated before
they can fit between the front brake pads (Royal Grand Comp or perhaps
SunTour Superbe Pro) and before I can get the rear tire into the Campy
1010 rear dropouts. Not a bit deal, though.

Haven't had a chance to ride them yet; hope to tonight or tomorrow.

I've got a stash of those nice Turbos that I might just install on the
'99 custom, the gofast, tho' I'll hve to get the wheels rebuilt with
559 instead of 571 rims.

Does anyone know how tall -- ie, accurate diamater -- 42s are? I
wonder if the new Compass tires would fit sans fenders ...

--
Patrick Moore
Albuquerque, NM
For professional resumes, contact
Patrick Moore, ACRW
patric...@resumespecialties.com

A billion stars go spinning through the night
Blazing high above your head;
But in you is the Presence that will be
When all the stars are dead.
(Rilke, Buddha in Glory)

[Johnny Alien]

I ran Kojaks on my Rambouillet.  Those tires are fantastic.

[Tom M]

Beautiful bike. What's the rear rack?

[PATRICK MOORE]

Thanks. I hope to get a ride on the new tires tomorrow: too much work,
hacking to get the tires to fit the fenders/front rack, and car
trouble/conversations to find time today.

It's a custom made by Chaucey Matthews who lives in the area. It's
beautiful and stiff, but in hindsight I ought to have given him the
bags I wanted to use, since neither of the two pairs that I had worked
well with it (tho' I got a very good deal on a pair of smallish Jandds
that do work very well).

The front is just a cheap VO rack.

On Tue, Aug 23, 2011 at 7:12 PM, Tom M <tomm...@me.com> wrote:
> Beautiful bike. What's the rear rack?
>

> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To view this discussion on the web visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/fdwK8ETMHhUJ.
> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.

[Steve Palincsar]

On Tue, 2011-08-23 at 15:43 -0700, Johnny Alien wrote:
> I ran Kojaks on my Rambouillet. Those tires are fantastic.

They're excellent in the 369 17x1 1/4" Moulton size, too.

[Steve Palincsar]

On Tue, 2011-08-23 at 16:22 -0600, PATRICK MOORE wrote:
> One slightly annoying thing is that the tire must be deflated before
> they can fit between the front brake pads (Royal Grand Comp or perhaps
> SunTour Superbe Pro) and before I can get the rear tire into the Campy
> 1010 rear dropouts. Not a bit deal, though.

Did you also use the brake cable barrel adjuster trick to give you more
clearance? Instead of setting up the base adjustment the way the bike
shops do -- "normal" when the adjuster is screwed all the way in, giving
you lots of room to take up wear by adjusting the barrel adjuster, set
it so "normal" is with the adjuster screwed all the way out. Then when
you want to remove the wheel, open the brake's QR and also screw the
barrel adjuster all the way down. That gives you several more mm of
brake opening. I had to do that to get inflated Rolly Poly tires onto
my Rambouillet.

[Peter Pesce]

Another vote for Kojaks.
I run 700 x 35's (actually measure about 31.5mm on Velocity Dyads) as the "sporty" tire on my Sam and really like them.

[PATRICK MOORE]

Whatever the merits of the tire, the swap has turned out to be a cl***
f***: I had to re-jig the front rack mounting for more fender
clearance (the rack tongue was designed to go between fender and crown
and I had to adapt to the caliper mounting bolt). This meant that the
second, front fender-to-underside of rack alignment was off and I had
to construct a little bracket to go between the hole in the fender and
the threaded, underside boss. Then, the fenders, Berthoud 545 mm
stainless ones, are too narrow (very odd -- there is plenty of
vertical room, and the tires measure not quite 31 mm on my rims) and
even the slightest knock awry to the rear jams it into the tire; so
when mounting the rear panniers, the hooks jam the fender into the
tire. So it's either remove the fenders or get wider ones. So, when I
take the inaugural ride, God willing in a half hour or so, they'd
better ride damn' good or the Turbos go back on.

> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To view this discussion on the web visit

> https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/e8-lAsFjadAJ.

> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
>

--

[nathan spindel]

How do these compare to the 700 x 35 Pasela?

-nathan

[Steve Palincsar]

On Wed, 2011-08-24 at 16:42 -0700, nathan spindel wrote:
> How do these compare to the 700 x 35 Pasela?

One obvious difference is the Kojak is a genuine slick. Schwalbe makes
much of the "race guard" flat protection, too; I have no idea how well
that works, only 700 miles on my 32-369 Kojaks, no flats but that's not
unusual for that mileage. The non-TG Pasela doesn't have any special
flat protection. Also, most Paselas are tan sidewall; Kojak is all
black. Final obvious difference, the lettering on the Kojak's sidewall
is reflective.

The last 700x35 Pasela I've seen was a raised-rib model from at least 10
years ago, and that was actually ~32mm wide.

[Peter Pesce]

I usually run 700x35 TG Kevlar paselas, and the Kojaks feel much livlier. But that is probably due entirely to the fact that they are about 100g lighter. I originally tried them afer reading the BQ test about the "optimum" tire for given wheel size. Jan felt that 700's need to be lighter than 650b's in order to provide the right balance of response and stability, and the Kojak fell right in the weight his study recommended. Unfortunately, I'm not sophisticated enough to detect the subtleties than Jan and others can, so I was hoping for some huge night and day change , which of course didn't happen. But I like them enough that I still ride them and would buy them again. The GB Cypres is probably the uber tire in the 30- 32mm range , but at 1.5 times the price and no puncture protection they're not for me.

[PATRICK MOORE]

Statistically insignificant, but I got a flat within the first 2 1/2 miles.

> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
>
>

--

[Stonehog]

That's funny - I got a flat right away on my Big Apples. Still great tires. I also have the 2.0 Kojaks per Jim Thill's recommendation, and yes, they don't slip in the wet. Totally comfy, fast tires BTW.

Patrick - don't you pick up a goat head on just about every ride??

Mobile BH

[Philip Williamson]

I thought you could, perhaps, get more width on the fenders by hand-
spreading the cross-section, but it looks like the overall radius
would decrease too much for your wheels. I now hate fenders, fat tires
and internal gear hubs. I just built up an aluminum hybrid with a
rigid fork - no fenders, disc brakes, cassette-based dingle setup, and
tires at 42mm seriously undersized for the clearance.

I still ride the Quickbeam, even with a broken S3X indicator-chain-
side axle nut, though. It has a basket.

Philip

Philip Williamson
www.biketinker.com

> patrickmo...@resumespecialties.com

[Michael Hechmer]

Beautiful bike, Patrick.

Metal fenders have a rolled lip, which is about 4 mm thick, so the side clearance will typically be 8 mm less than the top.  Typically, for metal fenders you want something that is specked at least 18 mm larger than the biggest tire you will use.  Plastic fenders, for all the other problems they have excell at clearance, since they have no extra material at the lip.

I also use the Grand Sport brakes on my Trek 620, and my wife use the Superb Pro on her early Sequoia, both because these have good stopping power and the single pivot design gives better brake clearance than the dual pivot design.  In the past I did the barrel set up as someone else suggested, but now I have gone exclusively to levers with a built in release, either Cane Creek or early Chorus.  The new Cane Creek design, which I have on my Rambouillet, are a great lever, and under $40.  But it looks like you are running Shimano brifters.  Hard to tell from the size photo.

keep the rubber side down.

michael

[Peter Pesce]

Likewise insignificant, but last weekend I just got my first ever puncture in a belted tire - a nail in my TG Pasela.
Now that I've jinxed myself.....

[PATRICK MOORE]

Thanks; I may eventually go to plastic or wood fenders. It has been a
frustrating two days!

At least now, with no fenders, the Kojaks seem to roll very well!

Phillip: please post a photo of your IGH'd, disk'd and non-be-fender'd bike.

> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To view this discussion on the web visit

> https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/5Oq-Qg2slsMJ.

[Philip Williamson]

I don't actually hate all the fuss of the IGH, metal-fendered, SON
dyno-wheeled Quickbeam, but I've had some frustrations in the last
couple weeks with it. Tires, gears, creaks.
http://www.biketinker.com/2011/ephemera/s3x-busted-nut/

Here's the bike that is NOT frustrating me at the moment. (NSFR = "Not
Safe For Rivendell" y'all'll throw up a little)
http://www.biketinker.com/2011/projects/maxs-new-bike/

Philip

Philip Williamson
www.biketinker.com

> patrickmo...@resumespecialties.com

[PATRICK MOORE]

Phil: both of those bikes are Rivendellian in general outlook if not
in execution. With that Kona fork you could get any fender you like in
there, even an old VW fender.

I do want fenders on the Kojak Riv, as it is meant to be an all
weather errand bike (but a very *nice* aweb), so I'll first put some
miles on the K's to see if they are keepers -- all indications so far
say "yes" -- and then, if they are, get either some wider metals or
else just use plastic. I do like the Berthoud-type struts, so plastics
will have to be modified.

Wood: nah, too precious and twee, IMO.

patric...@resumespecialties.com

[Michael Hechmer]

I think PJW sells a plastic fender, essentially a longer SKS,  with Berthoud Al struts.

michael,

nursing a strained back.

[Mike]

> I think PJW sells a plastic fender, essentially a longer SKS,  with Berthoud
> Al struts.
>
> michael,

I thought I read that they went out of production. Easy enough to
check with PJW.

--mike

[PATRICK MOORE]

Thanks, Michael; I'll wait until I fully test the Kojaks (and also
find out from Jan Heine if the new Compass 559 X 42s are (1) better
than Paselas and (2) will fit my frames.

Speaking of the Ks: I just did some errand riding (to Mom's to pick up
bags; to PO to get her mail), a total of 16.8 miles, and my first
impressions are very favorable. They don't *feel* any slower despite
the belt and they didn't feel hard to pedal despite the 4% higher
effective gear (the Kojacks measure 25" in diameter compared to the
24" of the Turbos).

And they are comfortable, this at about 50-55 F/R. But the biggest
benefit is not comfort (for the Turbos as I've repeated ad nauseam are
surprisingly comfortable if you are judicious with pressure: for me,
no more than 90-95) or puncture resistance (for my Turbos and Contis
have been surprisingly flat moderate) but (1) the freedom to carry 25
lb in the back and bash over our omni-present expansion cracks without
fearing to break a spoke (I never get pinch flats) and (2) that I can
ride through occasional patches of gravel without worry of a pinch
flat (that is where I got my first pinch flat in, I dunno, at least 15
years).

I don't expect I'll change to Kojaks on the 559/571 '99 Joe Gofast on
which I don't carry loads or ride on anything except daylight, dry
weather pavement.

> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To view this discussion on the web visit

> https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/RpIfjFVq-3oJ.

[Peter Pesce]

I asked PW a few months back and they were discontinued.
Now removed from the PJW web page too, apparently.

-Pete

[EricP]

Have been tempted to give the Kojaks another try. Have a pair in the
garage. Tried once before and within a couple of miles had a flat
(although that chunk o' glass probably would have flatted a
Marathon). Thing is, I really do understand that although they'd save
significant weight from the Marathon Supremes currently on this
particular bike, it wouldn't make a bit of difference in actual riding
comfort or speed. So no switch so far. And it's getting far enough
along in the year that the next tire change will be for studs.

Eric Platt
St. Paul, MN

[PATRICK MOORE]

Eric: should you decide to give up on yours and sell, I will be
interested if they are the 1.35s, of course.

The benefit over the Marathons (from what I've read, since I've not
used the Marathons) is that they ought to be more supple and thus to
roll better. In my 20 miles on them so far, I've not felt anything to
contradict that.

And the kevlar beads weigh only 295, per the website (100 gr less than
the wires) -- very light for the width.

Thanks, Patrick

[EricP]

Patrick,

Sorry, they are 26x2.00 (50s). While more supple may, in theory, roll
better, not sure I believe it at actual riding pressure. Otherwise,
the fastest bikes out there would be a Surly Pugsley. The 3.8 inch
Larry tire is extremely supple.

For a light rider, the more supple casing could make a difference. Am
not in that category. So my losing weight will have more of an effect
than any tire.

Eric Platt
St. Paul, MN

> > For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.

>
> --
> Patrick Moore
> Albuquerque, NM
> For professional resumes, contact
> Patrick Moore, ACRW

> patrickmo...@resumespecialties.com

[PATRICK MOORE]

Thanks; oh well.

BTW, Surly is apparently coming out with the Ogre with 100mm rims and
4.7 inch tires: should be the fastest of the lot!

> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
>
>

--
Patrick Moore
Albuquerque, NM
For professional resumes, contact
Patrick Moore, ACRW

patric...@resumespecialties.com

[bilb]

how do kojaks compare to vittoria hypers? I run 32mm 700c hypers and I
think they're the bee's knees -- excellent tires that I would
recommend to anyone.

[nathan spindel]

I do enjoy the Cyprés on my Ebisu, but was hoping for something a bit wider for my Pelican which hauls heavy cargo and commutes on the bumpy torn up streets of downtown San Francisco.

After everyone's praise of the Kojak I decided to try em out in 700x35 on the Pelican, replacing 35mm Paselas. I was surprised to find the Kojak ride less lively than the Paselas, and I could swear they appear to be narrower mounted (on Synergy) than the Paselas. I'll have to play around with the pressure some more, currently around 60/60 (I'm 150 lbs and carry 5-20 lbs of stuff).

-nathan

On Aug 24, 2011, at 5:37 PM, Peter Pesce <pete...@gmail.com> wrote:

> I usually run 700x35 TG Kevlar paselas, and the Kojaks feel much livlier. But that is probably due entirely to the fact that they are about 100g lighter. I originally tried them afer reading the BQ test about the "optimum" tire for given wheel size. Jan felt that 700's need to be lighter than 650b's in order to provide the right balance of response and stability, and the Kojak fell right in the weight his study recommended. Unfortunately, I'm not sophisticated enough to detect the subtleties than Jan and others can, so I was hoping for some huge night and day change , which of course didn't happen. But I like them enough that I still ride them and would buy them again. The GB Cypres is probably the uber tire in the 30- 32mm range , but at 1.5 times the price and no puncture protection they're not for me.
>

> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.

> To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/GDlFyxBUA3sJ.