The Marathon Plus for MTB's,
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-marathon-original-greenguard-rigid-mtb-city-tyre/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-marathon-original-greenguard-rigid-mtb-city-tyre/
Starting out - too much?
- Thread starter Chr15
- Start date
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Globalti
Legendary Member
As suggested, go as narrow as you can - 1.6 would be much faster on hard surfaces; you'll be amazed at the difference and probably annoyed that you've been wasting so much energy squirming all those knobbles around on the tarmac. That bike will have quite an upright riding position too, have a look at lowering the handlebars a little by moving any spacers above the stem. If you don't like it you can always put them back. It's a 5 minute job that requires just a couple of allen keys. A lower position will save you a little energy by making you more aerodynamic. It's a pity you can't get the use of a road bike - then you'd be doing your 14 miles in an hour or less.
Oh, and get ready for the discovery that your waist is shrinking and your thighs expanding. I find that some types of underwear can be quite tight around the thighs if I don't buy with lycra!
Oh, and get ready for the discovery that your waist is shrinking and your thighs expanding. I find that some types of underwear can be quite tight around the thighs if I don't buy with lycra!
TheSandwichMonster
Junior Senior
- Location
- Devon, UK
Something like a 26x1.5 would be a good bet on an MTB frame. Make sure that you pump them up nice and hard to make the most out of them too!
Globalti - an hour or less!! I can but dream! I'll adjust the handlebar height once I get home tonight (if I don't end up passing out on the way!).
The Marathon Plus tyres that BSRU kindly recommended aren't available in the 1.5 size Ianrauk suggested (out of stock) or 1.6 (not listed?) at the moment, so I'll need to look at some alternatives.
Thanks, TheSandwichMonster! Will do!! Until I get suitable tyres, I guess I should pump up the knobblies as much as I can as well?
The Marathon Plus tyres that BSRU kindly recommended aren't available in the 1.5 size Ianrauk suggested (out of stock) or 1.6 (not listed?) at the moment, so I'll need to look at some alternatives.
Thanks, TheSandwichMonster! Will do!! Until I get suitable tyres, I guess I should pump up the knobblies as much as I can as well?
Globalti
Legendary Member
Best to call at a bike shop - is there one en route? - and get them to fit something PDQ, you can carry the old knobblies home around your shoulder. Until then yes, pump up those knobblies to the maximum marked on the sidewall. The new tyres will be a huge revelation and a massive boost to your confidence, it will no longer feel as if you are dragging your brakes.
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
1.75s will be fine, and on offer..
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/TYSCMARPPW/schwalbe_marathon_plus_performance_wired_tyre
make sure you get a good pump as well to get the pressure right it can double as a track pump and you can stick it on the bike/ rucksack, i like the road version of this ..
http://www.topeak.com/products/Pumps/MountainMorph
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/TYSCMARPPW/schwalbe_marathon_plus_performance_wired_tyre
make sure you get a good pump as well to get the pressure right it can double as a track pump and you can stick it on the bike/ rucksack, i like the road version of this ..
http://www.topeak.com/products/Pumps/MountainMorph
Thanks!! Going to order a pair of these tyres tonight together with the pump you suggested!
steve52
I'm back! Yippeee
- Location
- bottesford scunthorpe
1 allow more time and enjoy the ride 2 find away to relax and enjoy the ride 3 dont worry about how long it takes enjoy the ride, mmmm see the pattern?
CopperCyclist
Veteran
Chr15 all suggestions have been good, hope the pain lessens for you quickly. The fact that it'll lessen is a fact, just how quickly it happens for you 
14 miles is a good commute length - but probably not when you're just starting out, so your plan of alternative days might not be too bad to give our knees/thighs a rest until you're up to speed. Once you are though, you'll love it. I often lengthen mine to 13 miles as I think it's the perfect balanced length for a commute.
Lastly, on the knees front, there really are two main ways to try and cure them (I used to suffer too)
1. Check the seat height again. If you can put it any higher, do so. Aim that when sitting on the seat, you can only just touch the floor with both toes as a rough guide, and feel more comfortable balancing on one leg. Its amazing the difference sitting higher makes to your knees.
2. Learn to really use your gears. When going uphill, for now avoid getting out of the saddle and attacking, instead stay seated and keep changing down until you can pedal easily. This will have the effect of making your legs spin a lot faster, but spinning faster is actually easier on the knees than pedalling slower and harder.
Keep it up, and good luck!
14 miles is a good commute length - but probably not when you're just starting out, so your plan of alternative days might not be too bad to give our knees/thighs a rest until you're up to speed. Once you are though, you'll love it. I often lengthen mine to 13 miles as I think it's the perfect balanced length for a commute.
Lastly, on the knees front, there really are two main ways to try and cure them (I used to suffer too)
1. Check the seat height again. If you can put it any higher, do so. Aim that when sitting on the seat, you can only just touch the floor with both toes as a rough guide, and feel more comfortable balancing on one leg. Its amazing the difference sitting higher makes to your knees.
2. Learn to really use your gears. When going uphill, for now avoid getting out of the saddle and attacking, instead stay seated and keep changing down until you can pedal easily. This will have the effect of making your legs spin a lot faster, but spinning faster is actually easier on the knees than pedalling slower and harder.
Keep it up, and good luck!
Chr15 all suggestions have been good, hope the pain lessens for you quickly. The fact that it'll lessen is a fact, just how quickly it happens for you
14 miles is a good commute length - but probably not when you're just starting out, so your plan of alternative days might not be too bad to give our knees/thighs a rest until you're up to speed. Once you are though, you'll love it. I often lengthen mine to 13 miles as I think it's the perfect balanced length for a commute.
Lastly, on the knees front, there really are two main ways to try and cure them (I used to suffer too)
1. Check the seat height again. If you can put it any higher, do so. Aim that when sitting on the seat, you can only just touch the floor with both toes as a rough guide, and feel more comfortable balancing on one leg. Its amazing the difference sitting higher makes to your knees.
2. Learn to really use your gears. When going uphill, for now avoid getting out of the saddle and attacking, instead stay seated and keep changing down until you can pedal easily. This will have the effect of making your legs spin a lot faster, but spinning faster is actually easier on the knees than pedalling slower and harder.
Keep it up, and good luck!
Cheers for that, Sir. I've got 2 fairly steep hills on the journey home so will experiment with the gears. Hopefully the ride home tonight will be easier and, as steve52 suggested, I'll try to enjoy it!
