Turning 29er into quick commuter

nufc_fan
nufc_fan Posts: 70
edited September 2013 in Commuting general
I want to use my 29er Rockhopper for commuting approx 15 miles each way.

Currently using Specialized Ground Control Sport, 29×2.1 tyres. I think I can go as low as 38s, maybe 35s?

Suggestions for something quicker? Need reasonable puncture resistance but want something quicker, mostly roads but some light bridleways etc. Nothing needing much grip.

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    Schwalbe Kojacks. or marathon Pluses.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Barteos
    Barteos Posts: 657
    edited September 2013
    If you want really fast tyres (on and off road) then get 2.00" Furious Freds anr run them tubeless for better puncture protection.
    You're unlikely to find anything faster in a +28mm size. 8)
  • nufc_fan
    nufc_fan Posts: 70
    Would I see a significant speed increase with the 38 marathon Plus Tyres? Compared to my current ones?

    Furious Freds look good but not sure about puncture resistance?
  • jonnyboy77
    jonnyboy77 Posts: 547
    I put Conti Gatorskins 700x28 on a 29er rim with no issues. Much quicker than any MTB tyre! Check the rim specifications to see what the actual minimum tyre size is likely to be.

    ETA: the Gatorskins were fine on the trail sections of Richmond Park which are gravelly and less than smooth, although you need to be a little more cautious than with knobblies.

    - Jon
    Commuting between Twickenham <---> Barbican on my trusty Ridgeback Hybrid - url=http://strava.com/athletes/125938/badge]strava[/url
  • Initialised
    Initialised Posts: 3,047
    I'm currently on Specialized Espoir Sport 28mm and haven't found them too bad for punctures (2 in 3200 ish miles) not overly skittish on gravel tracks and pretty fast on the road. The Roubaix Pro's are meant to be more puncture proof. I also like Durano's but am not too keen on Gators, the front is OK but I find I lose rear traction to easily on Gators.
    I used to just ride my bike to work but now I find myself going out looking for bigger and bigger hills.
  • nufc_fan
    nufc_fan Posts: 70
    Not sure I could get away with 28s? Rim width may be a problem. I though 38s would be the lowest i could go, 35s at the most?
  • jonnyboy77
    jonnyboy77 Posts: 547
    You need to find out the interior rim width. Like I say, I fitted 700x28's onto an MTB 29er rim, these infact:

    http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/WPM1250525/ ... r_wheelset

    The 700x28's went on with no issues and have covered welll in excess of 1,000km

    - Jon
    Commuting between Twickenham <---> Barbican on my trusty Ridgeback Hybrid - url=http://strava.com/athletes/125938/badge]strava[/url
  • nufc_fan
    nufc_fan Posts: 70
    Rim width is 21mm. Therefore looking at guides a 35mm should be ideal.

    Still not really any obvious options with reasonable protection but quick on the roads. A bit stuck at the minute to be honest.
  • jonnyboy77
    jonnyboy77 Posts: 547
    I think these would be fine ... http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-gat ... road-tyre/

    My rims are 19mm and run 28mm tyres, you have 21mm so an extra 4mm tyre width should be fine ....

    - Jon
    Commuting between Twickenham <---> Barbican on my trusty Ridgeback Hybrid - url=http://strava.com/athletes/125938/badge]strava[/url
  • Barteos
    Barteos Posts: 657
    nufc_fan wrote:
    Furious Freds look good but not sure about puncture resistance?

    Tyre construction is always a compromise. More robust puncture protection makes the casing thicker and/or less flexible = slower. Paradoxically it's the top end XC MTB tyres that have the most flexible and paper thin casings with no puncture protection of any kind and that reduces their rolling resistance.
    Going tubeless (with Stans sealant) will allow you to run tyres like that with minimal or virtually no risk of punctures.

    At 18-20mph my 26x2.00 Freds at 25-35 PSI will beat 1.20" Grand Prix MTB slicks at much higher pressure (timed on the same bike).
    Even 700x25mm GP4000s were faster only by less than 0.5mph, most likely thanks to better aerodynamics (much less important on a non-aero mountain bike).

    If the idea of going tubeless sounds like a lot of hassle, the tyres combining speed with puncture resistance to consider may be Schwalbe Supreme or Marathon Racer.
  • nufc_fan
    nufc_fan Posts: 70
    The supremes seem like a good balance, I think I will go for the 35s. Quite pricey but lighter than the pluses

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