Help with tyres please

[Syphon]

Hi,

Still count myself as a real noob on my bike, but I'm getting there. However, I'm a bit stuck on tyres and need some advice. (I've not even changed a tyre before on a bike yet)

This will be my first winter and I'm going to try and cycle through it. I have a hybrid bike with the following tyres (taken straight off the side as I haven't got a clue!)

37-622 700x35C-28 x 1 5/8 x 1/38

There is a big steep hill at the end of my journey in and obviously down on the way home. The roads I need to travel on are almost all main roads so tend to be ok, although work is on high ground and fresh snow can settle quite deep. Last year I had a scary trip down the hill in my car just after the snow had fallen.

Are my tyres ok / thickness etc. or should I not bother until I can get a mountain bike? Also are the studded tyres I've been reading about available in the size I need? I'm not having any luck finding any on-line.

Many thanks.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

I am a total noob too and new to cycling, but I have picked up a little from lurking around on here. You might want to look at this thread regarding studded tyres.

http://www.cyclechat...__hl__ice+tyres

Regarding the tyre size I think that the 700cc - 35 is all you need to be bothered about. I am not sure if the 700 is the rim diameter or what, just most tyres I have looked at seemed to be listed in that way rather than in inches. 700 is a really popular size anyway. The 35 is the tyres width in millimeters. I guess the wider the tyres are the more grip you will get, my hybrid just has 28 mm tyres on it. But I guess the more tyre contact with the ground makes it harder to pedal, but grip is probably more important by the sounds of it to yourself. Although 35 is probably not excessively wide, I think it is quite a popular tyre size so you should have plenty of choices. Here's a guide that shows the tyre size's that you could use for your rims ( if you wanted to go wider or narrower), you would have to measure them internally though.

http://sheldonbrown....zing.html#width

As I said I am a noob, and I am sure that somebody else will give you more better advice. Good luck anyway.

 

[e-rider]

700© is the wheel size and 35(mm) is the tyre width.

If you buy new tyres they must be 700 but the width can vary a little bit eg. 32 or 37 would be fine.

So, 700x35 is your tyre size

you could go fatter 700x38

or skinnier 700x32

Studded snow tyres are expensive and only useful with a decent complete covering or snow/ice.

Schwalbe make a few different options but the start at about £60 a pair for snow and £100 a pair for ice.

Schwalbe snow stud tyres are available in 700x38 and Schwalbe marathon winter tyres come in 700x35

 

[Syphon]

Thanks both for your help.

I have just ordered a pair of Schwalbe studded snow tyres in 700x38. £61 for the pair. Many thanks.

 

[e-rider]

Thanks both for your help.

I have just ordered a pair of Schwalbe studded snow tyres in 700x38. £61 for the pair. Many thanks.

lets hope we get plenty of snow so that you can try them out and get your moneys worth then - I was forced to swap my commuter bike for my mtb when riding to work today in the snow - the fat mtb tyres do a reasonable job (but some snow studs would be nice)

 

[CanucksTraveller]

should I not bother until I can get a mountain bike?

Do you think you need a mountain bike? Are you looking to commute over mud and dirt tracks? If not, then you're fine with your hybrid, it's the perfect commuting machine and it looks like your tyres are up to the job now... IF we get a lot of snow and ice that is! (I'm still on slicks).

 

[Syphon]

lets hope we get plenty of snow so that you can try them out and get your moneys worth then - I was forced to swap my commuter bike for my mtb when riding to work today in the snow - the fat mtb tyres do a reasonable job (but some snow studs would be nice)

Had quite a lot yesterday and had to get the wife to pick me up from work as the ride home didn't look like a sensible idea without the proper kit.

Do you think you need a mountain bike? Are you looking to commute over mud and dirt tracks? If not, then you're fine with your hybrid, it's the perfect commuting machine and it looks like your tyres are up to the job now... IF we get a lot of snow and ice that is! (I'm still on slicks).

I didn't know you could get the studded tyres for hybrids at the time I posted. Now I'm better educated Nah, no mud or dirt tracks, just roads.

 

[fossyant]

Snow Studs will do you in any weather.........

Got them on my MTB...........

 

[e-rider]

you must be loving all this snow Syphon - or have the tyres not arrived yet?

 

[nightoff]

Thanks both for your help.

I have just ordered a pair of Schwalbe studded snow tyres in 700x38. £61 for the pair. Many thanks.

Hi Syphon,

Where did you order the studded tyres from?

I could do with some for my winter bike to keep me cycling through this cold snap.

 

[e-rider]

Hi Syphon,

Where did you order the studded tyres from?

I could do with some for my winter bike to keep me cycling through this cold snap.

I've not seen a single shop with any stock right now - I think a guy on ebay is selling them for £20 MORE than the retail price if you're really desperate. Order from Germany, cheaper, in stock and should arrive within a week or so.

 

[Syphon]

you must be loving all this snow Syphon - or have the tyres not arrived yet?

Not arrived yet. Coming tomorrow. Snow melting, but I think there's more on the way.

Hi Syphon,

Where did you order the studded tyres from?

I could do with some for my winter bike to keep me cycling through this cold snap.

Got them from here: http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/123264.html

Cheers.

 

[Syphon]

Hi again,

Out on the tyres for the first time today. No snow here, but quite chilly and frosty.

It's much harder work than my other tyres. I was in lower gears the whole journey, really struggled up the 1 mile hill at the end of my route into work. It was like someone else was sat on the back of the bike for most of the journey!

Was wrapped up with lots of layers - still very cold on the way home and foggy too. Need some under golves as my fingertips were still really cold.

 

[e-rider]

Hi again,

Out on the tyres for the first time today. No snow here, but quite chilly and frosty.

It's much harder work than my other tyres. I was in lower gears the whole journey, really struggled up the 1 mile hill at the end of my route into work. It was like someone else was sat on the back of the bike for most of the journey!

Was wrapped up with lots of layers - still very cold on the way home and foggy too. Need some under golves as my fingertips were still really cold.

well they are made for snow - hopefully more is on the way soon