newbie.. bought a hybrid... now need advice :-)

[Big-G]

Hello All

Just got a Boardman hybrid comp on my cycle to work scheme.

Havent been on a bike for years, so all these new terms and names are some what baffling!

Basically I am wanting to use my bike on the road for getting to and from work, and then also use it at weekends for cycle outings. Having read some reviews I am now getting a little concerned my bike cant go on any surface other than tar without getting a puncture. Is this correct?

If so what tyres would you reccomend I get so that I can do some light off road.. ie gravel tracks, cancal towpaths etc.

I have been googling cycle routes and most of them have some rough terrain in them and I am worried my bike wont be of any use.

Any advice please

Thanks

 

[smokeysmoo]

Having read some reviews I am now getting a little concerned my bike cant go on any surface other than tar without getting a puncture. Is this correct?

to CC, but as for the reviews you've read, cobblers!

Granted the Continental Ultra Race tyres the bike comes with are road oriented, but with the correct pressure and simple preventative maintenance they should be fine.

However, if you have the money you might want to invest in some Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres. They are available in the same size of your stock tyres, (700x28), and they are widely regarded as the most puncture resistant tyre money can buy.

Perhaps swap them over and sell the Conti's.

 

[Biker Joe]

Hi and
It would be useful to know what tyres you have at present.
There's a good chance they could be OK.

 

[Biker Joe]

smokeysmoo beat me to it there but I agree with him.

 

[riggsbie]

What smokeysmoo said, Marathon Plus tyres !

 

[smokeysmoo]

Regarding tyre pressure Big-G, this is quoted on the side of all tyres, (min & max recommended), but in order to maintain sufficient pressure you really need to invest in a track pump, like THIS, or THIS.

Both come highly recommended, (I actually have both, one at home and one at work). I've had the Decathlon one about 5 years, and I got the Joe Blow last month.

On the road you could do with a decent small pump like THIS, and I also carry co2 as it's far quicker to use at the side of the road and gets the pressure high enough for my big old @rse!

You can buy pumps that are both manual and co2 like THIS, it's just preference really, TBH I only carry co2 these days.

 

[Paddygt]

Hi Big-G, welcome to CC. As a fairly new member myself let me say you will get great advice on here. These guys know their stuff and you will encounter no snobbery that you could come across on some forums. As for your bike, it certainly looks a great bike but the Boardman write up does suggest that it has been fitted for speed in the tyre department. However, and this is a quote from the Boardman description of the frame "- Custom tube profiles designed specifically for the forces and performance criteria of off-road riding" Even taking this with a tiny inch of salt, it does certainly suggest that the bike is more than capable of the terrain you suggest so I would certainly look at the tyres suggested above to give you a better and safer ride on the tracks. You can hang on to the road tyres it came with for when you start to build up on the fast road stuff. Great bike, enjoy.

 

[Widge]

Schwalbe have a very good range of semi-slick, 'urban' and on/off road tyres that seem popular with all manner of cyclists. I have just put some lightly treaded Shwalbe 'Citizen' tyres on my MTB which these days only see's country lane riding. They where about 8 quid each.....boast puncture protection of sorts and ride very well. (so far!)

Check 'em out....see what they do in your size? Marahtons and City Jets etc get very good reviews for most of the time. (I don't see many riding my 'Citizens' though )

best
w

 

[Pjays666]

Hi and welcome I do all my cycling on towpaths and the tyres that came with my diamondback have been great in all terrains from Tarmac grass mud and cobbles. My tyres are schwalbe cx comp 700 x 35 and I keep the pressures up to 60psi (rec 35 - 65 psi) had no problems with punctures or grip despite weather and also hedge trimming and thorns on path. Good luck and happy cycling

 

[MrJamie]

If you're looking at the Marathon Plus tyres, you might want to look at the Marathon Plus Tour too, IMHO and that of reviewers they roll just as nicely on the road but have slightly more knobbley sides for light offroad, muddy tracks etc. I'd probably go for a slightly wider tyre too - I'm sure many on here wouldn't, but very slight difference on-road and a rather huge difference on trails especially with traction on mud plus added comfort, really depends on how much you want to compromise road for offroad versatility and what you expect to ride on.

Also, if you don't have loyalty to a lovely LBS, instead shop around online and you'll find you can buy tyres (and most things) much cheaper, or ask on here. www.bike-discount.de were about half the price of most British alternatives last time I was buying tyres.

And welcome

 

[Big-G]

Thanks for the help, will take a look - thinking the slightly wider may be an option as an all rounder ..... Whats the maximum width I should consider ?

 

[HLaB]

Hiya. Any bike can go off road relative to speed, etc I've took my sirrus (I think its similar) off road occasionally to get from A to B but I wouldn't choose to too often as I like my speed

 

[Jenkins]

As well as the Marathons, you could also consider Continental Gator Skins. I'd stick with the 28mm size as already fitted.

 

[wait4me]

Hello All

Just got a Boardman hybrid comp on my cycle to work scheme.

I have been googling cycle routes and most of them have some rough terrain in them and I am worried my bike wont be of any use.

Any advice please

Thanks

Hi and welcome.
You don't say what part of the country you are from, but you might try cycle routes on http://www.cycle-route.com/ and check any rides in your county/area
Regards

 

[SquareDaff]

I have the Hybrid Pro. Ditched the tyres it came with (after 7 punctures in 2 weeks) and went to Marathon Plus's. (no punctures in 6 months). Mine are 28's (width)

I suspect you could go up to a 35mm width easily enough which opens up a whole new range of tyres designed for more punishing conditions.