MarkKBike
Finally riding a big boys bike
I recently swapped the Steel Rims on my Schwinn Le-Tour with a set of Aluminum Rims. Prior to the swap I weighed the wheels and the aluminum rims were slightly lighter, not by a whole lot.
This could all be in my mind, but my initial impression was that I'm not sure I like the change. Braking definitely improved, The smoothness of the ride felt a little different. I used the same tubes and tires. I'm not sure if I was just tired because I mowed the lawn earlier, or if the changes I felt were real. The aluminum rims were also slightly wider, so maybe I have less cushion between the rim and the pavement.
The peddling and coasting seemed more involved and the bumps on the pavement more pronounced. I assume the steel rims carry more momentum, and maybe this is what I felt I was missing.
I will need to go on a few more rides, but I think I might even switch back. I always loved how smooth this bike felt, and I think I may have lost a little bit of that smoothness in the change. I might also just be imagining things as the weight of the two wheel sets was closer than I expected.
This could all be in my mind, but my initial impression was that I'm not sure I like the change. Braking definitely improved, The smoothness of the ride felt a little different. I used the same tubes and tires. I'm not sure if I was just tired because I mowed the lawn earlier, or if the changes I felt were real. The aluminum rims were also slightly wider, so maybe I have less cushion between the rim and the pavement.
The peddling and coasting seemed more involved and the bumps on the pavement more pronounced. I assume the steel rims carry more momentum, and maybe this is what I felt I was missing.
I will need to go on a few more rides, but I think I might even switch back. I always loved how smooth this bike felt, and I think I may have lost a little bit of that smoothness in the change. I might also just be imagining things as the weight of the two wheel sets was closer than I expected.
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