Changing the wheels on a bike can make a big difference in how the bike rides and handles. I did that today on my Canyon Endurace bike. I replaced the ICAN Cycling Alpha Pro 46 wheels with the DT Swiss Endurance LN wheels and tires that came with the bike. The tires are Schwalbe G-One RS 700x35mm, a big change from the GatorSkin 700x28mm on the Alpha Pro 46 wheels. I aired them up to 60 psi compared to 80 psi for the GatorSkins. One drawback, toe overlap with the front tire. This happened with the GatorSkin tire but the tip of my shoe barely touched the tire when the wheel turned with the pedal all the way forward. On the Schwalbe tire the overlap was more which can cause a crash if I don’t turn the wheel or rotate the pedal out of the way. This happened twice but I recovered quickly with no crash. The lower pressure and wider tire changed the feel of the ride reducing bumps harshness. The cobbles on Rock Creek Drive weren’t as bumpy. It took more effort to get up to speed but once I reached the speed I wanted the bike rolled with less pedal effort. I plan on keeping them on the Canyon Endurace for this week’s rides, at least.

A late start for the ride leaving at 10:02 AM coinciding with today’s date. I rode north following my Kingwood – FM1485 – Kingwood route with a few small changes to increase the distance to 33.46 miles, slightly more than the average for the previous 15 rides in 2023. My October goal is 700 road miles. I’ll see if the weather cooperates. Its beginning to feel a little like fall. Weather: Start 82 degrees, humidity 67%, dew point 69.6, partly cloudy, wind NE 10 mph; Finish 89 degrees, humidity 44%, dew point 64.6, a few clouds, wind E 13 mph gusts 22 mph. The wind on the way back to Kingwood was from my left which didn’t pose a problem but I could tell it was stronger than earlier in the ride. I didn’t know how much until I finished at 12;51 PM.