bhilden@druhi.UUCP (HildenbrandBE) (10/10/85)
Regarding Columbus/Reynolds tubing comparisons I seem to remember the following figures. For a 23" frame, a tubing set of each weighs: Columbus SL 2000 grams Reynolds 531 2300 grams Columbus SP 2400 grams So, I would say the 531 tubing is more like SP than SL. About "smoothies", I don't know what the big deal is concerning if the hold in wet and/or dry conditions. I ride Specialized Touring II's and after about 300-500 miles the tires have zippo tread pattern left. I ride the suckers until the nylon cords start poking through. In Colorado we have rain soaked roads on fast downhills, the only problems I have experienced is hydroplaining right after a rather large downpour(I suspect any tire would hydroplane under these conditions). I guess my point is that unless Avocet and Specialized are using a wierd rubber compound, the lack of a tread pattern should not make one(1) bit of difference. Bruce Hildenbrand ihnp4!druhi!bhilden p.s. - outside of aerodynamic equipment(Disk Wheels, rims, helmets) the only way I have found to really increase performance of my bike is to train harder:-)!!