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Tyres for a commuter
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Hi everyone. Got a question got an old marin hardtail (and i guess a hardfront as well, not sure what to call that lol) and ive got 26x2.0 tyres on it. I wanna make it a commuter and the tyres ive got are horrrrrible!!! So the question is if the rims are for 2.0 how narrow can i go?
And any suggestions for cheep and cheerful slicks?
Thanks
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... is about as low as you can go, realistically. There are 26x1.0's available, but those particular tyres aren't so good for puncture protection.
I've used both Serfas Baristas 26x1.25 and Conti Sport Contacts in 26x1.3. The Conti's are slightly faster, but they're a PITA to mount because they're so tight. But they are tough - not one puncture in over a year's riding on them. Serfas are slightly easier to mount - I only skinned one knuckle instead of all on both hands - but the puncture protection is slightly less good.
Both have good grip in the wet.
Beware cheap and cheerful tyres - they're your sole contact point with the road, not something you want to scrimp on.
Ur right there although i think 1.25 is pushing it for me, i was thinking at least 1.5??
I know theres a massive difference between knoblies and these but how many km/h average will i pick up? And is there a lot between 1.25 and 1.5 cause especially me riding i think i could use the extra grip.
Thanks again
I'm running Conti Ultra Gator Skins 26x1.25 @ 110 psi. No problems at all so far.
I reckon you are looking at aroung 5 km/h gain. Maybe a little more. It also feels much faster because there isn't any bag to damp out the bumps.
No noise is another plus.
I've tried a few diffrent tyres both 1.5 and 1.25... for some reason the 1.25 seem to average a LOT more punctures, (mainly glass) even though both sizes are same puncture proof versions
Dont know why but I'm staying on 1.5's from now on just to get less flats...
About 18 months ago I put a set of Maxxis Overdrive tyres on my Scott 08 hard tail. I can attest to the fact that you really do notice the difference in the ride speed.
That said, a word of warning, I kept my tyres pumped up fairly hard and rode a reasonable line from Redfern to Cremorne and back each day. Within months I was getting punctures from what seemed to be the tyres 'shredding'. It looked like someone had taken to my tyres with a pen knife (they hadn't because it is kept inside all day and night). The bike shop I had bought these off (my brother) couldn't understand how this could happen, but another bike shop said they were the wrong tyres for my bike/weight? I forget which one it was (the bike or my weight). I'm 6ft tall and 90kg, so fairly average.
My suggestion would be to consider Mr Tuffy tyre liners if you're keen on not getting flats. In case it isn't incredibly obvious - what out riding in the wet.
Andrew
I'm also running Overdrives 26x1.75 on my hard tail - they are noticably faster than knobbies. I have no statistics on speed, so I'd describe them as being able to hold one or two gears higher than my previous knobbies.
Pros: you can get away with the original tubes, they are forgiving on rough roads, gutters, etc.., and cheap-ish at $25 a piece.
Cons: they only inflate to 50 psi, so they are still a little sluggish.
I suspect a 1.5 or 1.25 at higher pressure would allow you to hold one gear higher again.
- Kevin
.. I had the opposite experience. Lots of flats with 26x1.5's, dropped away to nil when I got the Conti's. Only reason I swapped to the Serfas was I couldn't get a replacement Conti at the time for the one I wore oout on teh back, and didn't want to run mismatched tyres. Only one puncture with the Serfas.
I think it depends more on the quality of the rubber.
The 1.25/1.3's are noticeably faster than the 1.5's, even just rolling down hills...
This is what I'm running on my commuter: http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/INTYMNNSL/ti...
Got a puncture from a gum nut of all things the first time I went out with them but haven't had a problem since. I think it was 26 x 1.75 I bought, will have to check in the morning, too cold to go out to the shed.
~Phil
Maxxis Xeniths are awesome. Light, fast and surprisingly durable. Bit wider at 1.5 or 1.7 (can't remember). Have also used Maxxis Detonators but they were as prone to punctures as their name suggests.
I've been running Xeniths on my commuter for almost 3 years. 3 punctures? maybe 4? Highly reccomend