Subject: Whitewall showdown
Author: David Washburn
Date: Oct 26, 2003, 11:48 AM
Post ID: 1714999723
My rear Dunlop K177 looked like the top of Lou Gossett Jr.'s head so I
tried to get a replacement from the usual sources.
Eventually I gave up and bought a Maxxis Classic WWW from Donelson
Cycle. Mr. T. LaNasa suggested I get it mounted professionally since my
last home tire change was a complete disaster. HAH! Actually I was
planning to do just that but once the gauntlet had been thrown down...
I stopped by the curmudgeons at John's cycle in Woodside to pick up an
inner tube and amidst the old Brit Iron was a 2000 Jackal with less than
6K and a for sale sign. Hurry on down!
My wife asked me how long it would take to change the tire. I said one
hour and she reminded me that it took three days and two inner tubes
last time (I think she and LaNasa have been exchanging emails but I have
no hard evidence, yet.) She sat down in the garage with the Sunday
paper and a kitchen timer to watch me work. I had to drop the mufflers
to pull the rear wheel and was still struggling to get the old Dunlop
off when my reason for living announced the thirty minute mark. I
snarled a curse and redoubled my efforts but the bald carcass did not
relinquish its grip until ten more minutes had passed.
Behind schedule, I pulled out all the stops to install the new tube and
tire but it still took half an hour and earned me a smirk from my
significant other. Still, seventy minutes is pretty good for me.
I attribute my success to the excellent fit of the Maxxis. On my rear
wheel the Dunlop looked to be a squeeze. Time will tell if the grip and
longevity are acceptable. The tread depth is problematic because the
120/90/18 is supposed to be a front tire. The price is right and since
I have two bikes the rear should last more than one season. We will see
how the Maxxis likes the steel plates and diesel spills on my daily
commute.
David in NYC