Tire Advice

Pisiform
Pisiform Posts: 4
edited February 2012 in Road buying advice
I'd be grateful for any advice you may have to offer. I'm new to cycling, having bought a hybrid bike last summer, and I'm starting to struggle on rides of more than 30miles or so as I'm training for a 60mile local sportive

I'm probably just unfit but I wondered about the resistance I'm encountering with the tires that came on the bike. They're fairly knobbly (not as much as MTB) 7000*35C tires. The shop where I bought it suggested I could downsize to a 700*28 tire on the rims I have on the wheels.

I wondered how much effect realistically would it have to go to a slightly narrower, slicker and higher pressure tire? Enough to make it worthwhile or shall I save the pennies for a proper roadbike later this year?

If its worthwhile, any suggestions on suitable tires?

Thanks a lot

Dan

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,321
    The difference could be huge, depending on which tyres you are on at the moment.
    A set of 28 mm Continental Gatorskin will speed you up without compromising your puncture proof-ness and without killing your wallet... other tyres might be cheaper if on offer though... 27 mm are also an option, if you can fit 28, you can fit 27 for sure.
    Use 90 PSI to 100 fdepending on your body weight and level of comfort required
    left the forum March 2023
  • Redhog14
    Redhog14 Posts: 1,377
    Dan, tyres will make a difference yes, but getting out more and just riding will make a bigger one. Are you fueling properly, maybe the 30 mile mark has more to do with energy levels than overall resistance. Try downing a mars bar at 25 miles and drink plenty of water. Cheaper than new tyres. More chocolate too...
    @surroundedbh
  • Pisiform
    Pisiform Posts: 4
    Thanks to you both for the advice.

    Redhog - I'm trying to be quite careful about nutrition and have something to eat every 45-50mins but I'll try a marsbar and see how that gets me going and take a second bottle of water with me as well.

    I think I'll give the new tyres a go and see what difference they make. It won't be wasted anyway as they'll need changing eventually anyway.

    Thanks again
  • Pisiform
    Pisiform Posts: 4
    I wanted to update this threat in case anyone in the same position as I was stumbles across it.

    Given the unanimity of response to my question I opted to buy new tyres. I bought a pair of Continental GP4seasons 28c + new tubes mainly because they have great reviews and were on a special offer at Wiggle.

    Incidentally full marks to Wiggle who received the order on Wednesday pm and delivered the goods on Friday morning on their free postage scheme - very impressive.

    Tested them out yesterday on a 25mile ride on lumpyish terrain but no big climbs.

    What I found was:

    - no difference at all on the inclines, or none discernible anyway. Clearly this is when gravity has the biggest impact on performance and I was in a headwind uphill yesterday so road resistance would clearly have been a very minor factor in performance

    - on flattish ground a major difference. On good quality tarmac the ride was very smooth and much more pleasurable. The ride was more responsive. It was much easier to pedal and maintain a cruising speed of 22-23 mph whereas as previously I would struggle to maintain 18mph

    - descending was significantly different. Even without pedalling I was 10% faster on descents.

    Overall it was a faster, smoother and more enjoyable ride.

    If anyone is in a similar position then definitely upgrade those standard hybrid tyres and you'll notice the difference too.

    Thanks for the advice again. It really has made a difference.

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