 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I have asked on here before about keeping skinwall tyres clean, but I have just read that one thing to try is painting Aquasure (a wetsuit repair adhesive) onto the tan colour prior to putting on the tyres, as it will repel the dirt and grime - at least a lot longer than they would fare on their own.
Have any of you tried this? I have ordered some Aquasure, and am waiting for it to arrive before I put on my new Vittoria Corsas. Goodness knows they need it. You can hardly tell that my current Veloflex tyres were ever anything other than black!
Firstly congrats on your good taste and discrimination in fitting two of the finest road tyres known to Man, Vittoria and Veloflex Corsas. Same tyre, same factory.
Secondly I have no idea how to keep the tan walls tan except by regular washing with warm water and detergent. If I was really bothered about it I might try spraying then buffing the tyres (before fitting) with a household polish like Pledge or Mr Sheen, containing carnauba wax, in the hope of repelling dirty water.
My advice would be not to bother about it. Tyres get dirty. Do you really think about the colour of your skinwall tyres when you are riding your bike?
What rims? I wouldn't bother on alu rims, unless disk braked.
Carbon works ok. FMB 25s here on carbon rims, they still look alright. My ye olden days combo of veloflex tubs on Ambrosio Cronos would look horrible after the first wet ride.
My ye olden days combo of veloflex tubs on Ambrosio Cronos would look horrible after the first wet ride.
I am on alu rims, and will now use all black tyres in winter (or just stick to my CX). But considering most riders were on alu with skinwalls until recently, I figure it is still worth trying to keep them looking nice.
My next bike will have discs, at which point I will get carbon rims. Then I doubt I will need to worry so much. That said, nothing bothers me when I'm actually riding, but considering it is only natural that my bike spends more time in my house than on the road, a bit of bike vanity is forgivable! At least that's what I tell myself.
I've been using skinwall Byways for over a year (through two winters). I can't really say they look particularly dirty, and that's on a bike that gets used in peaty mud.