Stupid questions for you!

[mightyquin]

Stupid questions are OK? I've got a few I'd like some help with please!

Tyres - what's the difference between 26'' and 700 wheels?

If a bike has 700 wheels can it take 26'' ones instead or does it depend on the frame?

Can you get 'off road' 700 size tyres?

Are thinner tyres more likely to pick up punctures than MTB tyres?

When is front suspension useful? Is it only for proper off roading?

How fixed is frame sizing? If for my inside leg/height a 20'' frame is suggested, can I use a smaller frame with the seat higher, or bigger frame/seat lower? Or is it best to just find one that 'fits' by feel?

How do you ride a single speed bike up hills?

Cheers
James

 

[Moodyman]

Tyres - what's the difference between 26'' and 700 wheels? - 700 wider and usually thinner. 700 a little faster once up to speed - assuming all other things are equal

If a bike has 700 wheels can it take 26'' ones instead or does it depend on the frame? - possible but bike must run disc brakes and have the same width dropouts.

Can you get 'off road' 700 size tyres? Yes, mainly cyclocross tyres. But it depends what width rims you currently have and how much frame clearance you have.

Are thinner tyres more likely to pick up punctures than MTB tyres? Yes, but there are some seriously tough thin tyres whose puncture protection is better than regular MTB tyres.

When is front suspension useful? Is it only for proper off roading? Yes, riding forest trails or similar. No suspension needed for roads or gravel tracks.

How fixed is frame sizing? If for my inside leg/height a 20'' frame is suggested, can I use a smaller frame with the seat higher, or bigger frame/seat lower? Or is it best to just find one that 'fits' by feel? Best get the size recommended for your inside leg. You can ride bigger / smaller, but you’ll be less comfortable. This will become torture on longer journeys.

How do you ride a single speed bike up hills? Pedal – hard. Eventually it gets easier, but not as easy as gears. If you live in hilly area, I’d avoid single speed.

 

[Banjo]

Re Frame Size dont forget you need a different frame size for a road bike compared to a hybrid or mountainbike.

 

[palinurus]

"Are thinner tyres more likely to pick up punctures than MTB tyres?"

On the road? not really. Thin (meaning width, not thickness of rubber) road tyres are probably better in some respects- less likely to pick up debris which can work through the tyre case and they tend to be run at higher pressure. Plus there are some pretty tough road tyres out there.

 

[palinurus]

"How do you ride a single speed bike up hills?"

By choosing a compromise gear that's fast enough on the flat and not too high to stop you riding up most hills.

Learning the "slow, steady honk" is useful too.

 

[Shaun]

Quite a few of the "thin" road tyres are available with kevlar linings and sidewalls now - giving you a good deal of extra "toughness".

It adds to the weight and stiffness of the tyre, and still doesn't stop inch-long nails popping your tube, but the general day-to-day roadside grit and bits don't get through.

I have them on both my commuter and Roubaix - mainly because I'm lazy and don't like mending punctures at the roadside ...

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[Fab Foodie]

Learning the "slow, steady honk" is useful too.

You mean there are other techniques?

 

[silverfox]

Re Frame Size dont forget you need a different frame size for a road bike compared to a hybrid or mountainbike.

I'm intrigued - could you enlighten me as I'm possibly about to switch from hybrid to road bike. Cheers!

 

[Kestevan]

Road bikes tend to have a bottom bracket closer to the floor than a MTB. A road bike frame of 58cm would therefore have a lower stand over height than a MTB with a frame of the same measurement.

Couple this with sloping frames and the annoying habit of manufacturers to measure the frame size however they bloody feel like and the end result is that sizing a frame without actually trying it out can be very hit and miss.

Also bear in mind that the ideal standover clearance between top tube and family jewels is somewhat higher on a mountain bike than a road bike. Anyone who has ridden a MTB which is slightly too large will confirm this (probably in a squeeky voice).

 

[slowmotion]

I hope that this is not a hijack, but can I add my own stupid question about road bikes?

If the bike has these rims, which size tyre options do I have. The bike comes with 700c x 25.


Mavic CXP-22 N, aluminum triple-wall, sleeve joint, CNC machined sidewalls
Thanks

 

[ian turner]

What options were you thinking of ? thicker or thinner? 700x23 would fit too.

 

[PpPete]

For a complete compatibility chart see here
Scroll up that page to see how to measure the rim width.

 

[661-Pete]

I hope that this is not a hijack, but can I add my own stupid question about road bikes?

If the bike has these rims, which size tyre options do I have. The bike comes with 700c x 25.


Mavic CXP-22 N, aluminum triple-wall, sleeve joint, CNC machined sidewalls
Thanks

It has to be 700c. Of course the frame clearance is what determines it, especially if you have mudguards. My road bike originally 'came' with 700cx19, but that's a very narrow option, mainly suitable for competitive riding, and there are not many reasonably-priced tyres at that size! So I now use 700cx23 which fits perfectly. 700x25 does not! It fouls both the seat tube and the fork crown.

My guess is, SM, that you would be able to fit 700x28 but not anything bigger. But make sure you have an option to exchange any tyres you buy, just in case!

 

[slowmotion]

Thank-you Ian , Pete and Pete. I was thinking of trying 23s rather than the 25s that came with the bike. This gives me the option of different types of mudguard. From what you have said, 23s look like they would be OK.

 

[661-Pete]

Of course, anything smaller will be OK! Just remember to re-calibrate your computer if you have one!