Tyres, big difference or am I imagining it?

[oOTomOo]

I feel like rotating mass and it's importance doesn't get discussed enough on here, so I'm after some advice.

I recently got a new set of rims for my double budget bike (R501's) with a pair of continental Ultra Race tyres to go on them. Fitted them and all was wonderful with the world, bike felt a lot more responsive, getting up hills seemed less of a drag etc. Then on my way to work on Monday I managed to get about a 4 inch bit of what looked like wiper blade metal frame bit stuck in the rear tyre. After a bit of harrumphing I sorted that out and finished the ride to work with a decent looking cut in the tyre (bit of the old inner tube over the hole) didn't fancy riding home on that so I got a Gatorskin from halfords at lunch.

Now the bike seems sluggish, the hills that were fun before now seem like a drag etc etc.

So, are the tyres really going to make that much of a difference? Do I order a new ultra race, restore the balance and keep the gatorskin as a spare, or do I chuck some more air in and refer to rule #5?

[oOTomOo]

I've threw some more air in it before I headed off to work this am, that seems to have sorted out the problem.

I don't have a track pump, or a pressure gauge at the moment, when I bought all the gear I just got the mini pump that I could take with me, seemed a bit extravagant to buy two pumps in one go, so I've just been putting air in them till they are double hard to the squeeze.

Think a track pump will be the next purchase from wiggle

Thanks all for your input.

[oOTomOo]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-essential-track-p...

Ordered, I'll keep you posted

[oOTomOo]

I'm quietly hoping I feebly pumped them up to about 50 psi with the mini pump and I'll go out next week and set some PB segment times.

Assuming the pump arrives soonish

[oOTomOo]

So, the pump has arrived complete with complimentary bag of haribo - I love wiggle.. anyway both tyres were at 70 psi. I've banged them up to 120 for now and will see what they are on Monday. Not had chance to see what difference it makes on a ride but im hoping for good things.

[oOTomOo]

Its not carbon im afraid, its a halfords cast iron special. Apparently its alu but I don't believe it.. and I have two decent torque wrenches.

I think the next piece of essential equipment will be a 105 groupset. This bike iz going to turn into triggers broom.