Commuting tires

Ngalbrai
Ngalbrai Posts: 279
edited January 2008 in Commuting chat
Sorry know this has been asked to death.

My tire choice was recently commented on in LBS, continental something or other, thick rubber 28*700c. Guy said they were horrible tires and was amazed they were recommended to me by another bike shop. He showed me a 23 tire that was kevlar lined that he uses himself and swears by (in terms of performance and p******e resistance). My question then is, will I see an appreciable difference on a lighter weight 23 in terms of:
Speed with reduced rolling resistance?
Harsher ride due to lower air volume in tires?

Comments

  • prj45
    prj45 Posts: 2,208
    Ngalbrai wrote:
    Sorry know this has been asked to death.

    My tire choice was recently commented on in LBS, continental something or other, thick rubber 28*700c. Guy said they were horrible tires and was amazed they were recommended to me by another bike shop. He showed me a 23 tire that was kevlar lined that he uses himself and swears by (in terms of performance and p******e resistance). My question then is, will I see an appreciable difference on a lighter weight 23 in terms of:
    Speed with reduced rolling resistance?
    Harsher ride due to lower air volume in tires?

    I f****g hate the snobs you get in bike shops.

    Did he sneer at the same time?
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  • Shadowduck
    Shadowduck Posts: 845
    I have Continental Sport Contact, 28 * 700c, on one of my bikes - nothing wrong with 'em. Sounds to me like the guy was either a gear snob or just trying to sell you something.

    I'd recommend finding another LBS!
    Even if the voices aren't real, they have some very good ideas.
  • prj45
    prj45 Posts: 2,208
    Shadowduck wrote:
    I'd recommend finding another LBS!

    I recommend getting all the aresy "I know better" LBS types to get together on a field and have a massive big FIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!
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  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    23mm Conti Ultra sports

    Cheap and hard wearing
    I like bikes...

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  • nwallace
    nwallace Posts: 1,465
    prj45 wrote:
    Shadowduck wrote:
    I'd recommend finding another LBS!

    I recommend getting all the aresy "I know better" LBS types to get together on a field and have a massive big FIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!

    The problem with that is, one would eventually win.


    Got 23mm Conti Ultra Sports on one bike and Schwalbe city jets on the other.

    The Contis have lasted longer (>2000k back and >1000k front) than the Schwalbe Blizzards that were on that bike (1000k back 2000k front) when I got it and I haven't a clue how old the city jets are as they were on it when I got it and have done over 1000k on it.
    Do Nellyphants count?

    Commuter: FCN 9
    Cheapo Roadie: FCN 5
    Off Road: FCN 11

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  • Gambatte
    Gambatte Posts: 1,453
    Who's your LBS?

    Come on - name and shame!! :lol::lol:
  • Ngalbrai
    Ngalbrai Posts: 279
    Don't think naming and shaming would do much good as its in Sydney. In the blokes defence he wasnt sneery or anything, just pointed it out in a matter of fact way then showed me an alternative and described why he thought it was better.

    Has anyone made the switch from 28 to 23, comments?
  • Shadowduck
    Shadowduck Posts: 845
    Ngalbrai wrote:
    Has anyone made the switch from 28 to 23, comments?
    I went from 32 to 28 on the hybrid (the aforementioned contis replaced 700x32 Tiogas that p***tured every 100 yards). The Contis are noticeably faster but also soak up noticeably less road buzz / potholes etc. I'm glad I changed that far but not sure if I'd want to go narrower unless I was racing.
    Even if the voices aren't real, they have some very good ideas.
  • Gambatte
    Gambatte Posts: 1,453
    I 'pootled' around local roads on a tourer, then when I decided to start commuting, got a bike described as 'racing style'. 700 x 23C. Not noticed any problems. Just make sure they're up at max pressure
  • cygnet
    cygnet Posts: 92
    Can you actually fit 23s to your rims? I have gone from 28s to 23s, but that also involved a bike change from hybrid to road. (which was well worth it) I doubt 23s would have fitted to the hybrids wheels.
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  • BigBlackShed
    BigBlackShed Posts: 60
    I'm on 35 Conti Country Rides. On the bike when I bought it. I thought about going smaller when they wore out. Just looked at the bike computer and I've done 1865 miles on them.

    The front still looks brand new, the back has lost the knurlled pattern but is fine.

    I know I'd go quicker if I changed them, but why change something that's not worn out or broke. Plus p******** resistant is very good. That's buggered it!!!!!!
    It's not the winning or even taking part. It's the arsing about that counts.
  • jjojjas
    jjojjas Posts: 346
    I stuck with 35C myself.
    Thought about thinner ones, but I cover some crap roads and some even crapper off road stretches so the thought of thinner tyres just didn't add up to me.
    Jas
    it looks a bit steep to me.....

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