Is it worth changing to less knobbly tyres?

Gess

Hi All

I'm thinking of changing my tyres to less knobbly ones, and was wondering if anyone had done the same and noticed any difference?

I've got a Rockrider 8.1 (great bike btw!) which has the standard B'twin Sport tyres on it (http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rigid-bead-26x20-sport-id_8133729.html). However most of my cycling at the moment is commuting - about 20 miles a day along canal paths and roads - so I was thinking of switching to Schwalbe Land Cruisers (http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-land-cruiser-mtb-tyre/). Has anyone done the same? Will I notice any difference??

Thanks for your help/ thoughts!

Wayupnorth

I just swapped my commuting bike over to land cruisers again for the summer. They make a huge difference to my usual Panaracers on tarmac and simple gravel paths. They aren't light tyres, but you will immediately notice how quiet they are and how much faster you will travel. Worth trying.

PashleyRider

Those Btwin tyres are horrific for any surface! Can't recomend a slick but can recomend ditching the current ones!

cooldad

Huge difference with a decent slick and they'll probably be just as good off road as what you have as the standard tyres are dire anyway.
But I wouldn't get the ones you linked to - at 900g for a semi slick tyre they must be made of concrete. My 2.25 knobblies weigh just over 500g.

cooldad

This would tempt me - excellent off road, decent on road, just over 500g. A bit more than the land cruisers but well worth it.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kenda-Small-B ... 3cd2416f57

Gess

cooldad wrote:

Huge difference with a decent slick and they'll probably be just as good off road as what you have as the standard tyres are dire anyway.
But I wouldn't get the ones you linked to - at 900g for a semi slick tyre they must be made of concrete. My 2.25 knobblies weigh just over 500g.

Thanks for the replies - sounds like I should definitely change from my current tyres.

cooldad - any recommendations for an alternative to the Land Cruisers?

Thanks again.

jimothy78

cooldad wrote:

This would tempt me - excellent off road, decent on road, just over 500g. A bit more than the land cruisers but well worth it.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kenda-Small-B ... 3cd2416f57

Careful - that link takes me to 29" tyres, but OP linked to a 26", so that's presumably what he needs.

EDIT - that's wierd, just opened the link again and now it's 26" (which is presumably what you saw, CD) - something odd going on there....

Gess

cooldad - apologies, saw your second post just after sending my reply. Thanks again!!

stubs

Maxxis Larsen TT are a good quick semi slick also the Maxxis Crossmark both should be well better than the boat fenders you currently have. These guys do a great service very quick and a good range http://www.nextdaytyres.co.uk/details.aspx/MAXXIS-CROSSMARK-MTB-26/75

cooldad

jimothy78 wrote:

cooldad wrote:

This would tempt me - excellent off road, decent on road, just over 500g. A bit more than the land cruisers but well worth it.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kenda-Small-B ... 3cd2416f57

Careful - that link takes me to 29" tyres, but OP linked to a 26", so that's presumably what he needs.

EDIT - that's wierd, just opened the link again and now it's 26" (which is presumably what you saw, CD) - something odd going on there....

Yeah he's selling 26ers and 29ers, I initially linked to the wrong pair. But because I am anal I check my posts and fix them to protect the innocent.

jimothy78

cooldad wrote:

Yeah he's selling 26ers and 29ers, I initially linked to the wrong pair. But because I am anal I check my posts and fix them to protect the innocent.

thank god for that - I'd started to think I'd halucinated.

Gess

Looks like everyone agrees that my current tyres are proper rubbish then I guess they also need an upgrade before my next trip to the trails...

A quick follow-up question - the two tyres mentioned as alternatives to the Schwalbes are both more expensive - is that just because you're getting a lighter tyre, or will they run much better? I'm not too bothered about weight given that I generally commute with 6-8 kgs on my back anyway...

cooldad

Weight on the bike, especially on the wheels, makes a much, much bigger difference than weight on your back.

The Rookie

It's very hard to over estimate the benefits of lightweight tyres, the whole bike will feel transformeed (for a few days until you get used to them at least!)

Lighter tyres is pretty much linked to better quality and so more expensive.

Depending on what non sealed surface you ride, a Schwalbe city jet is the go to budget slick, but may be too slick for you.

swod1

I've been wondering about swapping out tyres for some faster rolling tyres because i've just started to ride to work, 7 miles going and around 14miles back going via an offroad route.

I've looked at race king, racing ralph, onza cannis as riding with a nobby nic up front and ground control rear is not so draggy on tarmac but could be quicker

PhilDafOrce

i occasionaly ride to work about a 17mile round trip, i use these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-marath ... city-tyre/ when commuting and they make a hell of a difference compared to my fire XC pros which i use when off roading.

they don't look as cool on my bike but they are quicker, quieter and are fine for some light off roading. if your doing plenty of road miles i would defo advise buying some slicks.

Belmont1884

The Beginner wrote:

It's very hard to over estimate the benefits of lightweight tyres, the whole bike will feel transformeed (for a few days until you get used to them at least!)

Lighter tyres is pretty much linked to better quality and so more expensive.

Depending on what non sealed surface you ride, a Schwalbe city jet is the go to budget slick, but may be too slick for you.

+1 for the Schwalbe city jets, completely transformed my Radon ZR 7 when riding on cycle paths