Change tyres ?

[cycletwin]

Thoughts please. I have inherited daughters mountain bike (un-used). I went out on first bike ride with club yesterday - very enjoyable. Club leaders mentioned I might want to get advice re changing tyres to road tyres which would be smoother and lighter to make my bike easier to use.

Im not sure if it was bike or my fitness level and getting used to gears that made it heavy going. I intend to use the bike for club rides on roads and country paths plus about town. What do you think ?

 

[moggsy100]

Thoughts please. I have inherited daughters mountain bike (un-used). I went out on first bike ride with club yesterday - very enjoyable. Club leaders mentioned I might want to get advice re changing tyres to road tyres which would be smoother and lighter to make my bike easier to use.

Im not sure if it was bike or my fitness level and getting used to gears that made it heavy going. I intend to use the bike for club rides on roads and country paths plus about town. What do you think ?

If the bike has got full on mountain bike knobbly tyres on it then if your using it on tarmac it will be a hard slog compared to using slicks... you could go for the full option of mtb slicks or a combination of a centre slick and knobbly towards the outsides which will let you ride light trails occasionally... have a look at the link you'll see them all there.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/c/cycle/7/Tyres_-_MTB_Road/

 

[mgarl10024]

Hi moggsy100,

I had a similar decision to make earlier in the year and made the change. I'd say there was a definite improvement from changing them (my average speed went up by 1mph, which when I started was about 10% when I was only doing 10mph!).

It isn't going to feel like someone is peddling for you, and you're not suddenly going to be zipping up hills, but the change was noticeable and IMO worth the investment.

One final thing - I also had to change my inner tubes as the slicks were a different width. The experts on here will be able to advise you more on this, but worth bearing in mind.

Hope that helps,

MG

 

[Davidc]

Do it - makes a noticeable difference.

If you want to keep the cost down you could try the Kenda Kwest tyres. I've used those on family members bike's and they seem good and puncture resistant. The Schwalbe Marathons are popular, again reasonably puncture resistant. There are loads more to chose from as well, I'm sure you'll have a long list on here in a few hours time.

If the bike has front suspension and has a lockout then that will save some energy as well.

Be warned though - buying tyres is the start of the slippery slope. Next it'll be lights, then luggage, then clothing, then pedals, then the big one - a new bike. You need Cyclists Anonymous now!

 

[HLaB]

My brother put the Scwalbe Marathon + on his MTB although he's not in a club he has found it makes a world of a difference.

 

[Salad Dodger]

I'm another one who says - make the change.

On my mountain bike I use "semi slick" tyres in summer, when I will be out riding with my wife (whose bike also has semi slicks on). Then in the winter, when she is more sensible and stays at home, I put the larger, knobbly tyres back on so I can go and play in the mud.

The winter tyres are noticeably slower on tarmac, and the whole bike feels slower to accelerate, so as someone said already in this thread summer ones (semi slicks) do make a noticeable difference, but it's not a miracle cure!

But the main thing is to get out and ride. And enjoy.

 

[Psycolist]

ANOTHER VOTE FOR CHANGE
Do it, and do it sooner rather than later. Of course , as a new rider , you will find it hard, but using knobbly tyres on road is a killer. If you will occaisonally go footpath, bridleway or any other off road you will need to go halfyhalfy, plenty of choice of tyres with a slick center and treaded edges. If you can afford it, go for something with puncture protection, its not foolproof, but it helps.

 

[Alan Whicker]

Yep, you won't believe the difference it will make. When I semi-retired my MTB (Spesh Hardrock) I put Schwalbe Land Cruisers on it, which have a smooth centre profile, with knobbly edges.

I did the London-Brighton on that bike when it was set up for Pennine winters and still had very knobbly knobblies on it

.

 

[cycletwin]

Thoughts please. I have inherited daughters mountain bike (un-used). I went out on first bike ride with club yesterday - very enjoyable. Club leaders mentioned I might want to get advice re changing tyres to road tyres which would be smoother and lighter to make my bike easier to use.

Im not sure if it was bike or my fitness level and getting used to gears that made it heavy going. I intend to use the bike for club rides on roads and country paths plus about town. What do you think ?

Thank you to all for thoughts and advice. I am going to look into the semi slick which I think reading your messages means smooth middle and bobbly outside. Thanks again - appreciate it.

 

[jayonabike]

Might also be worth thinking of a 'puncture resistant' tyre like the marathon +, or the 'armadillo' range of tyres. Personally i use Specialized armadillo crossroad tyres on my MTB, ideal on road and still enough grip off road. Plus since fitting them back in march i have not had a puncture

jay

 

[tmcd35]

Be warned though - buying tyres is the start of the slippery slope. Next it'll be lights, then luggage, then clothing, then pedals, then the big one - a new bike. You need Cyclists Anonymous now!

Amen to that brother. Just reached the stage myself where the year old bike is not doing what I want, thankfully no room on the credit card for what a need/want so I'm not about to splash the cash.

Back on topic - another vote for change, and a +1 for Schwabe Marathon+'s - although they are a little tough to physically get on the wheel!