Recognize these ? I have now found a use for the “wonderful” Dahon Special Edition Schwalbe Stelvio tyres, a belt !
My friend Bettina of velo-re.com fame, got the tyres and turned them into belts, of which I got one. Pretty much the only use I have for these “great” tyres after only 1800′ish miles.
Bettina and velo-re take old bicycle tyres and inner tubes and turn them into belts, wallet and bags. Velo-re have just started to use inner tubes as belts too – they’re rather funky.
Velo-re not a bad place to retyre (see what I did there, ok getting my coat) your old tyres into something useful.
LINK : velo-re.com – We make belts from recycled bicycle tyres, inner tube and assorted stuff…

A few weeks ago I blogged about Ghost visitations and since then we have had more.
First it was my Surly LHT that had its back wheel playing up, then Peli’s Eva front wheel and now Tuesday night Pia was haunted.
Eva hasn’t been used for a while and as normal the tyres were a bit soft the front was a bit more than the back. So we pumped the tyres up to see if there was a visit and a few minutes later the front tyre was well soft. So Peli took out the inner tube and set upon fixing the one that was p*nct*red. As you do you pump the inner tube up and look, feel, smell and listen for air coming out but nothing. So Peli pumped it a bit more, nice and big now and still nothing to find, she then let it hang on the door while checking the tyre for cuts and splinters and then fitting the new inner tube. Two or so hours later nothing to see on the “supposed flat” inner tube, go figure.
Tuesday I dug out Pia my MTB come around the town commuter and because I haven’t used her for …

I really thought that in my line of work I was exempted. Surely, I bring in more people in everyday to the fold, so there are
more new cyclists for them to visit, and more cyclists to bring them offerings? My little way to keep them happy.
But no …
Yesterday when I was getting Stella (my fixed bicycle) ready for the summer (I simply haven’t been on her since I got the Tank, my Surly Long Haul Trucker last year) I got the pump out and while I was at it, I thought that it would be a great idea to check the Tank over since it had been a while since I last checked its tyres. The pressure was only 5-10psi under what I normally run, so not too bad. It was a quick top-up.
But, this morning when I rolled the Tank out of the front door, I noticed that the fairies had paid a visit. A quick check, and the tyre wasn’t totally flat, so I decided that I would just top it up and hope that it would last until I got to work. I’d fix the visitation in my lunch break. But half way there I had to …

Today I passed the 2000 miles mark on my little Tank the Surly Long Haul Trucker \o/ Why haven’t I listened to others before, kinda kicking myself here, when they talked about a touring bicycle. Because it is such a joy to ride. Worth every penny.

… my kingdom for some tyres that work.
I got 4 bikes that I use a lot, and all run different tyres. I pretty much tend to ride on road surfaces with them all and in all kinds of weather all year around.
Dirty Pia, MTB Principia, 1995.She was converted to a flat bar “road bike” some years ago. Last year I fitted some Schwalbe Marathon Plus Evolution, 26″ x 1″. Which have already clocked up over 3400 miles, on roads and dirt track/canal/towpath in all kinds of weather.
And got a fair few cuts in them as you can see in this photo.
 
I find these tyres very “grippy” and very fast, I think I have gained up to 6mph with changing from 2″ MTB tyres to these.
Total count of visit = 0 vs 3400 miles, that is a win.
Stella, 1980′s road bike now fixie.I fitted some Specialized Armadillo, 700 x 28c, around 3.5 years ago. I have cycled on and off road, on dirt track/canal/towpath and a heck of distances on roads in London. They are a bit heavy to ride but I got used to that and plenty of grip and feel very comfy to ride on bumpy surfaces. …

… 20″ ?
Ordered some Schwalbe Stelvio with RaceGuard (20″ x 1″ 1/8) at my local bike shop. Only to find out that 20″ x 1″ 1/8 is not 20″ x 1″ 1/8, yes they thickness is the same but my old tyres can easily fit within these new one.
I know that there is this number system, 28-406 (20″x1″1/8) HS 350 …
The 28-406 is the width and diameter of the tyre, a standard which is set by set by E.T.R.T.O – The European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation.
I’m not sure what the HS 350 is, though I think that is a Schwalbe number to describe the tread.
And the 20″x1″1/8 is simple to understand, 20″ in diameter and 1″1/8 is the width.
But why the heck does that not fit to each others? The last time I measured 20″ it was 20″ which is 50.8cm or 508mm, it is not that hard to figure out.
This only leads to mistakes.
I also learned from Schwable or Bohle who is Schwable’s contact in the UK, that the Stelvio’s have been discontinued and been replaced with Durano.
So the hunt goes on for some tyres that is puncture proof and that fits my Dahon Speed Pro TT.
I …

As you might have seen I have had my fair share of a moan about these tyres. 1200 miles. And then I spotted this recall which I just had to write to Schwalbe about.
Hi,
I just saw the recall you have for the Schwalbe ULTREMO R tyres. The problem rings a bell to my tyres.
 
This is what Dahon said about the tyres on their website.
Dahon Special Edition Schwalbe Stelvio, Mango/Black, 28-406, foldable Kevlar bead, DualCompound Silica casing, RaceGuard anti-puncture protection, 120 psi
 
I have done just over 1700 miles on them over the last 11 month, they have brilliant grip and are very fast, not scared at all going around corners at speed and you can really lean in.
 
But when it come to keeping the punctures away they are no better than soft Swiss cheese with holes. It’s not much use, that RaceGuard. They have simply been cut to pieces, and I only ride on roads on these tyres.
 
The numbers of flats I have had on these tyres is unknown, because I have given up counting. Every journey I now do on these tyres I count in extra time for a “break” to fit a new inner tube.
 
In the last 100 or …

Well I have now passed the 1200 miles mark on Chutney, and all I can say I love to ride the Speed Pro TT. Great fun, fast and I do not get any pain in my shoulders or my back when riding around, on long and short journeys.
The only thing that is letting this bike down big time is the rattling noise it makes, I have tried to tie down lose cables with cable ties and soft rim tape in hope to stop the cable outing rattling against the frame. Boy does the “talk” when going around town, but then again she is a woman Smiley
And then there is the tires “SCHWALBE Stelvio Light TIRE- dahon special edition”, they have brilliant grip and are very fast. Not scared at all going around corners at speed and really lean in. But when it come to keeping the fa***es away they are no better than soft Swiss cheese with holes in then. Folding Bicycles and Folding Bicycle Accessories by Dahon
QuoteA RaceGuard Belt provides puncture protection: it consists of two carcass layers, between which is sandwiched a virtually impenetrable rubber compound./Quote
My arse !! Lost count on how many I have had (was it …