Tyre replacement question

[soulful dog]

After examining my tyres following a couple of p*nctures, I found 4 bits of glass embedded in my rear tyre (only one was causing a p*ncture), and a couple of them have left quite big holes after removal. The tyre tread is starting to get a little worn (though still looks to have plenty of life left in it to me - but what do I know!), so am I better just replacing it?

Also, if I do replace them, they tyres I was looking at are available in either 700 x 28 or 700 x 38, my current tyres are 700 x 35, which of the two should I replace them with? They're on my hybrid which I use generally for riding on roads or cycle paths, but I'm not fussed about speed (i'm a slowcoach) and I'm not sure if the 28's would be a big difference for me on the pot-holed Glasgow streets?

Edited to add: having just noticed the 'cuts on my tyres' thread, I should add the tyres are Specialized Nimbus with no puncture protection.

 

[jig-sore]

if your priority is a little more comfort then go for the 38's. i use 40's on mine and it doesn't make any noticeable difference to the speed but the comfort is much better.

 

[simon_brooke]

After examining my tyres following a couple of p*nctures, I found 4 bits of glass embedded in my rear tyre (only one was causing a p*ncture), and a couple of them have left quite big holes after removal. The tyre tread is starting to get a little worn (though still looks to have plenty of life left in it to me - but what do I know!), so am I better just replacing it?

How big is 'quite big'? If it's big enough that the tube bulges through, replace 'em; if not, it's probably not critical.

Edited to add: having just noticed the 'cuts on my tyres' thread, I should add the tyres are Specialized Nimbus with no puncture protection.

Yes. Something like the Schwalbe Marathon Plus is a good tyre for puncture avoidance.

 

[HJ]

Personally I would go for 28mm Conti GatorSkins, but if you do want something wider then go for Schwalbe Marathons...

 

[soulful dog]

I'd like to be a lot quicker but think it'll take a heck of a lot more than skinnier tyres to do that so, cheers, I'll probably go for the 38s for comfort. However, as the holes are only tiny according to Simon's example , I'll perhaps keep the current set for a while longer and just change them if I start getting a few p*nctures. I think I've been fairly fortunate with p*nctures up to now, so I'm not too worried about looking for tyres with added protection - besides that'll just make them more difficult to get on and off, something I'm not much good at with my wee hands!

 

[HLaB]

The one thing to watch out for is do you have the clearance for 38mm tyres?

 

[Randochap]

If the cuts don't go through the casing and there is a good bit of wear left in the rubber, just seal the cuts with Super Glue.

 

[soulful dog]

There's a couple of the cuts that show some red rubber which I presume are as deep as they can go without going right through, so I'll get a bit of super glue in them thanks. As for clearance for 38s, it's a Claud Butler Odyessy and the current model comes with 38s so I presume mine, albeit probably 5 years older, will be the same. How would I know for definite, is there a way to measure it?

 

[jig-sore]

is there a way to measure it?

Ruler ???

this is my Hybrid with 700x40c tyres, loads of room

 

[threefingerjoe]

If there is still plenty of rubber left, and the hole in the tyre isn't TOO big, I'd put a boot in it. I usually run tyres until the fabric starts to show. In your case, if you want to replace the tyre, I think the 38 will be the preferable choice. But, why can't you find a 35, like you have? And, since you are always on hard pavement, go with a slick. It will give you better traction and lower the rolling resistence.

 

[soulful dog]

The straight choice between the 28 or 38 tyres was simply because they were the two sizes available in the sale I was looking at . Not that it matters now as I'll just stick with the current set for now thanks to what everyone's posted.

Cheers for that, as has been mentioned elsewhere, the number of folk that frequent this forum and are happy to give their thoughts and advice is really bloody good!