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Bike tyres - does it really matter?
u_j_2001
Posts: 47
in General Chat
Hello all,
I've always found the advice on this forum very helpful:
I ride a Giant SCR 1.0 which I bought in last year end of year sales - this is my first road bike, did 500-600km including three Sprint Tri's with it and haven't modified it at all apart from the pedals.
It came with a Kenda 700x26mm tyre which seems to be wider than the norm for road bikes. (Bike spec: http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s6p1661&rs=gb)
Does the width of the tyre really matter?
Would it be recommended to change to a more narrow tyre to improve my speed? If yes which one ?
Will a more narrow tyre be more susceptible to punctures?
questions, questions, questions...
Thanks for the advice
I've always found the advice on this forum very helpful:
I ride a Giant SCR 1.0 which I bought in last year end of year sales - this is my first road bike, did 500-600km including three Sprint Tri's with it and haven't modified it at all apart from the pedals.
It came with a Kenda 700x26mm tyre which seems to be wider than the norm for road bikes. (Bike spec: http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s6p1661&rs=gb)
Does the width of the tyre really matter?
Would it be recommended to change to a more narrow tyre to improve my speed? If yes which one ?
Will a more narrow tyre be more susceptible to punctures?
questions, questions, questions...
Thanks for the advice
0
Comments
For tech info try:
http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3802
My advice - keep these tyres over the winter and next spring see what you can get a deal on. I use Michelin Pro 3 and like them (with latex tubes - whole new discussion) others rate Continental GP4000, Schwalbe Stelvio, Vittoria Corsa Open Pro, Vredestein Fortezza etc. etc. You will notice a difference swapping to race tyres and it will make you faster.
BTW I tried 19mm and 23mm and 23mm is better. More comfort, no discernible speed difference.
Ade
Though I suspect that I might put the equinox back on once it gets slippery on the roads
So it looks that I will stick with the Kenda's 700x26 for the upcoming Winter months and come Spring change them to a narrower tyre.
I recall from previous threads that the Continental Gator Ultra Duraskins are highly recommended and seem to get the thumbs up from the majority of people.
i'll bung the roubaix's back on for the winter, no point in wasting expensive tyres in the cold and dark.
Moral of the story: buy thecorrect one for the correct use - hard outer=winter/soft outer=racing (unless of course you have buckets of cash ultremos are £60 a go!!)
They are the best tyres I have ever used.
I have a pair of gold Continental GP4000 Clincher tyres unused and still in their box for sale if you want some.......
Try a ride you know well on a pair of Tufo C Elite Jet 160 tyres (tubular clinchers) and tell me you didn't notice anything different to those Kenda things
Ta
There are now available,tubeless clinchers,on the market,for about £140 you can modify your existing clincher wheels to take these marvels of technology.Hutchinson tyres manufacture some tyres that can be used.
I know nothing about road bike wheels and have a new bike ready and waiting for my cyclescheme voucher to land on the doormat. The bike isn't factory spec so not sure how else to tell other than taking the tyres off.
One of the things that surprised me when going from economy tyre to race was the change in handling. My good tyres have a more triangular profile, so more contact in corners and the bike tips in very quickly. Also I run them at 140psi. I love them!