Tyre size/choice question
Tony__B
Posts: 26
I'm currently training for the Dragon Ride on my Specialized Tricross. At present this is fitted with Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tyres but I'm guessing I will be better off with a more 'slick' tyre. The Schwalbes are 700 x 32C but it seems no-one makes a slick tyre in this size. I've looked at some of the tyre size guides I can find on the web but I'm confused. What size tyres will fit without problems? Any recommendations?
0
Comments
-
23C or 25C would fit without any problems and I recommend Vittoria Rubino Pro slick or with a slight tread which won't break the bank.0
-
As Lilywhite said, 23C or 25C will fit fine. Rubino Pro are good, I tend to use Michelin Pro Race when I want to go fast
While you are at it buy a track pump as getting the tyres at the right pressure is important0 -
I'm puzzled how the previous posters know 23mm tyres will fit the Tricross - do they really know the inner width of the standard Tricross rim? For every year's model, the way Spesh mess aroundd? Even if this is true, do they know that the standard wheels are fitted to this bike?
Anyway, ignore them because they're wrong regardless. 23s or 25s would be a lousy choice for that type of event. People recommend them because they think narrow tyres are faster for all events, but this isn't true. It's more like golf - you need the right tyre for the right event. At lower speeds wider is faster - wide minimizes rolling resistance, which dominates until you reach TDF-ish speeds. Read eg http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/b ... yths-29245
Not all tyres are equal speed wise at the same width - rubber compound and tyre wall thickness matter a lot. Supremes are pretty good, but you should be a bit faster again with Marathon Racers in 28 or 32. But only a TINY bit, because any gains in efficiency will be eaten up in the cube law of air resistance. Eg if you save 10% of rolling resistance, that's 2% of total bike drag (which is mostly aero), so you go the cube of the inverse of 0.98 faster - about 1%.0 -
^ It''s a pretty reasonable assumption that the Tricross will have a rim no bigger than 21mm - it's a cross bike not a 29er! I don't understand your logic regarding air resistance and tyre width - it's almost insignificant as to not warrant mentioning.
Re the OP, a 25mm tyre would be a good compromise and if it's speed then look at a Michelin Krylion - not as puncture-resistant as a Schwalbe Marathon racer, but doesn't ride like an old hose-pipe either. For a bit more toughness, there's Schwalbe Duranos or Conti GP4 Seasons - but not as 'lively' as the Krylion IME.Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0 -
Monty Dog wrote:It''s a pretty reasonable assumption that the Tricross will have a rim no bigger than 21mm - it's a cross bike not a 29er!
It has Alex ACE-19 rims which should take the tyres I mentoned in my previous post. Even my MTB has narrow rims that take Conti 1" high pressures!0 -
+1
Didn't seem right to me either. Although can I convince myself I understand it?.
Do you mean that less effort is needed to get to the 'slower' speeds that you hinting at?0 -
