32 TO 28 TYRES

[Banjo]

I know its possible but would changing from 32 to 28 tyres on my Trek Valencia hybrid road bike be much of an advantage?

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/3924/TREK_VALENCIA_2009

The 32 Bontrager Racelights it came with will last a good while yet (I hope) so I,m just looking ahead/thinking out loud at this stage.

 

[moolarb]

Not much if they're the same tread (e.g. road) - it's only 4mm after all

I went from 35mm knobblies to 28mm road on my cross bike and I'm now going about 1.5mph faster but I put most of that down to the higher rolling resistance of the knobblies

I'm not saying don't do it, but don't expect much speed difference.

There's also the consideration of comfort and grip, so there's a trade-off.

 

[HJ]

It should be possible it, you just need to check the rim width. The advantage is that you can get lighter faster tyres. On the road using slicks will give much better grip.

 

[Banjo]

Thanks for the replies.I wont change them until there worn or damaged so hopefully not for a while yet .

I noticed a big difference when I changed from Heavy Michelin City Pilot tyres to the much lighter and smooth Bontrager Racelights. The Michelins are great for commuting as they are extremely tough but heavy and have a tread pattern.The Bontragers are half the weight .

I know that the real answer is to have at least 3 bikes ie a lightweight road bike a commuter with panniers etc and a mountain bike for off road.Thats not an option at the moment so the Trek has to be a jack of all trades . I have to say that after about 1400 miles Im still really pleased with it.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k5/VEGA165/Bike Stuff/100milebikeride023.jpg
Half way point on my 100miler.

 

[HJ]

...
I know that the real answer is to have at least 3 bikes ie a lightweight road bike a commuter with panniers etc and a mountain bike for off road.Thats not an option at the moment so the Trek has to be a jack of all trades ...

Not exactly, the ideal number of bike can expressed by this simple equation

i=n+1

 

[Banjo]

Not exactly, the ideal number of bike can expressed by this simple equation

i=n+1

Trouble is that my better half thinks i=n+0

 

[HJ]

I have had the same problem, it is just takes time to work on it...

 

[l4dva]

I recently went from 32's to 25's and what a differance it was!!!

my 32's were spech boroughs, the new tyres are 700*25 michellin krylions. As soon as I put them on the bike felt a lot lighter, then i took em for a spin. The acceration felt soo much quicker, the bike felt really light and so much faster than before. I was really impressed with the amount of difference i could feel between the two. I did a 50 mile charity ride with them and it felt like i was just effortlessly cycling along!

I'f your not planning on going off road id deff recomend going for something like what I have.

 

[hodsgod]

I recently went from 32's to 25's and what a differance it was!!!

my 32's were spech boroughs, the new tyres are 700*25 michellin krylions. As soon as I put them on the bike felt a lot lighter, then i took em for a spin. The acceration felt soo much quicker, the bike felt really light and so much faster than before. I was really impressed with the amount of difference i could feel between the two. I did a 50 mile charity ride with them and it felt like i was just effortlessly cycling along!

I'f your not planning on going off road id deff recomend going for something like what I have.

Did you fit them on the same rims?

 

[l4dva]

Did you fit them on the same rims?

Yeh there on the same rims, I can't remember whichs rims they are. They are the ones that come as standard on a specialized tricross

 

[scott s10]

Not much if they're the same tread (e.g. road) - it's only 4mm after all

I went from 35mm knobblies to 28mm road on my cross bike and I'm now going about 1.5mph FASTER but I put most of that down to the higher rolling resistance of the knobblies

I'm not saying don't do it, but don't expect much speed difference.

There's also the consideration of comfort and grip, so there's a trade-off.

1.5mph faster is more than it sounds you could do 30 miles abot 5mins quicker

 

[hodsgod]

Yeh there on the same rims, I can't remember whichs rims they are. They are the ones that come as standard on a specialized tricross

That's interesting, anyone know how far you can go?

 

[l4dva]

My commutes to work haven't become quicker, but thats due to the stop starts with all the traffic etc but i can deff feel a real improvement in speed and ease of cycling with the new tyres. I'm using the biggest chain ring a hell of a lot more on roads that i wouldn't of with my old tyres. so cycling now dose feel easier than it used to with the old tyres as a result i can push harder which results in me going faster. Basically theres less resistance!

I've lost nothing in terms of ride comfort either, which is wat many said i would loose going with thiner slicker tyres. P******* resistance I may well be more prone to them now, but thats the price you pay i suppose. Appart from that I couldn't recomemd it more. The only major prob I see is that fact that its making it easier for you! I like to think of my commutes to work as part of my "training" I may put my old tyres back on for the commute to build up the muscles. That way on the weekend rides with the thinner tyres on ill be a lot lot faster! Which leads me to another upgrade..... a new set of wheels to make life easier when swapping to weekend rides on my best tyres and back to commuting tyres during the week.......its a never ending cycle of upgrades and the N+1 theory!

 

[jig-sore]

please people, read this and stop talking shite....

http://www.everydaycycling.com/edc/news/WiseWords/wise_words_tyres.aspx