So, I’ve been struggling with tyres.
Lung has heard some of this, in fact more than he probably ever cares to again, but yes, you paint a bike Nuclear Trigger Orange, and you get tyre issues. What tyres to use?!?

For those keeping score, I started with a set of nice, savvy gumwalls with a subtle red stripe. That was when I pictured this bike to be very funky utilitarian with body-color racks and such. Then, when I decided to go with a lean fixie style, I started rethinking how I would approach the tyres as they relate to the bike. I started thinking about how much surface area the tyre has int he overall bike’s composition, and whether some tyres could make the frame punch, and others not. Also, with the use of silver chrome wheels with shallow rims, instead of flyer deep rims or black rims or what have you.

Anyway, I have done the experiments. Mocked, as I was, by wifebot(tm) who found me in the wrongRoom(tm) doing mock-ups, I have created a study. In tryptich, of course. Looking at these images, I ask you: which does your eye enjoy? I know the chrome is missing here, and know that the bike is three finishes: orange/yellow paint, chrome, and warm brown leather.

Option 1: the burnt orange tyre: This was an idea I got from sole old archived bike forum posts talking about color matches. I noted that users of this particular tyre noted that it looks weird and burnt by itself, but narrow, on a rim, against paint, it gets vibrant. And knowing that the tyres will dirty up as they get used, I thought this might cause the frame to punch in a cool way.

Option 2: whitewall stripe: There are thicker, largely white whitewalls out there as well, but I’m using the thin line whitewall that I use on Fix-e for this study. I think the white can bring out the chrome and silver, potentially.

Option 3: the gumwall: these are the original tyres, which looked one way when envisioned ona utility bike, and look another way when held against the naked frame. The red stripe is subtle, but you can see it.

Let it be known!
I have a gut feeling, but I won’t influence your review….

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