txtricrossryder
04-05-07, 10:15 PM
I have a 2006 Specialized TriCross with 700 X 32 tires/rims. I want to go to a more road wheel size. Is the standard 700 X 23? And if so, what brand should I look at that is affordable yet still dependable.
Bicycle Mechanics - Looking for a new set of wheels for my cyclocross
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LBIkid
04-06-07, 05:16 AM
I'm not much of a road guy, but I think 700x23 is standard road tire size. This is probably better off posted in the Road forum. those guys will be able to help you out plenty regarding tire size and manufacturers.
TallRider
04-06-07, 06:09 AM
So, your rims are just wider than you need? Or are your tires wider than you need?
Those are two rather different questions. Rims are somewhat flexible in the tire width that they can take. My guess is that your Specialized can take 25mm or at least 28mm wide tires as well as 32mm.
And buying all-new wheels is pretty expensive anyway.
Why do you want to change up your tires? Do you particularly want a narrower tire, or is your main goal to have smoother tires without knobby tread? If you want to race your 'cross bike on the road, then it's worth going for narrower tires, maybe 23mm, which might do best with narrower rims. But if you just want to ride mainly on road and want less rolling resistance, then you can simply go for non-knobby tires and feel a big difference. Wider tires can be run at a lower pressure and are more comfortable than skinnier higher-pressure tires, and this is a good thing if you want a bit more comfort for long distance rides (and at little rolling-resistance cost, as well).
Lots of cyclists with straight-up road "racing" bikes never race them, but have a racing-model bike because, hell, that's what Lance rides, and he beat cancer and won the tour de france 7 times. You've got a bike that can take wider tires. Maybe you should try 28mm slicks (smooth tread) and see how you like them.
Those are two rather different questions. Rims are somewhat flexible in the tire width that they can take. My guess is that your Specialized can take 25mm or at least 28mm wide tires as well as 32mm.
And buying all-new wheels is pretty expensive anyway.
Why do you want to change up your tires? Do you particularly want a narrower tire, or is your main goal to have smoother tires without knobby tread? If you want to race your 'cross bike on the road, then it's worth going for narrower tires, maybe 23mm, which might do best with narrower rims. But if you just want to ride mainly on road and want less rolling resistance, then you can simply go for non-knobby tires and feel a big difference. Wider tires can be run at a lower pressure and are more comfortable than skinnier higher-pressure tires, and this is a good thing if you want a bit more comfort for long distance rides (and at little rolling-resistance cost, as well).
Lots of cyclists with straight-up road "racing" bikes never race them, but have a racing-model bike because, hell, that's what Lance rides, and he beat cancer and won the tour de france 7 times. You've got a bike that can take wider tires. Maybe you should try 28mm slicks (smooth tread) and see how you like them.
Psydotek
04-06-07, 08:39 AM
As long as the rim width is under 23mm, you'll be fine running skinny 700x23c tires.
Continental and Michelin both have some very nice tires (inexpensive and high $$$ ones). :)
Continental and Michelin both have some very nice tires (inexpensive and high $$$ ones). :)
Deanster04
04-06-07, 09:52 AM
Sounds like all you need to do is swap out the tire and inner tube for road tire. Continental has the ultragatorskin road tire that would be a good fit. If you want a good set of wheels then Excel Sports in Boulder Colorado builds a great set of not too expensive wheels. I would go for 36H rim and hub combination for long lasting durability that would work on both road and cross surfaces.
I have a cross bike with 36H Mavic OpenPro rims. They can accomodate anything from 700x23c to 42c tires. Most cross bikes have road wheels that will accomodate different tire sizes. The only thing you don't want to do is use an innertube that is too big for the tire. When I travel I bring 3 tire sizes: 23c for the road, 32c for hard packtrails, and 37c for riding on MTB type terrain. I use a different rated inner tube for each of those tire sizes. This allows me the widest range of riding.
I have a cross bike with 36H Mavic OpenPro rims. They can accomodate anything from 700x23c to 42c tires. Most cross bikes have road wheels that will accomodate different tire sizes. The only thing you don't want to do is use an innertube that is too big for the tire. When I travel I bring 3 tire sizes: 23c for the road, 32c for hard packtrails, and 37c for riding on MTB type terrain. I use a different rated inner tube for each of those tire sizes. This allows me the widest range of riding.
txtricrossryder
04-06-07, 10:16 AM
So, your rims are just wider than you need? Or are your tires wider than you need?
Those are two rather different questions. Rims are somewhat flexible in the tire width that they can take. My guess is that your Specialized can take 25mm or at least 28mm wide tires as well as 32mm.
And buying all-new wheels is pretty expensive anyway.
Why do you want to change up your tires? Do you particularly want a narrower tire, or is your main goal to have smoother tires without knobby tread? If you want to race your 'cross bike on the road, then it's worth going for narrower tires, maybe 23mm, which might do best with narrower rims. But if you just want to ride mainly on road and want less rolling resistance, then you can simply go for non-knobby tires and feel a big difference. Wider tires can be run at a lower pressure and are more comfortable than skinnier higher-pressure tires, and this is a good thing if you want a bit more comfort for long distance rides (and at little rolling-resistance cost, as well).
Lots of cyclists with straight-up road "racing" bikes never race them, but have a racing-model bike because, hell, that's what Lance rides, and he beat cancer and won the tour de france 7 times. You've got a bike that can take wider tires. Maybe you should try 28mm slicks (smooth tread) and see how you like them.
Thank you for the info. I was looking for skinny tires and rims. I am just wanting something that I can increase my speed with on the road with. If you think that I can do that by just getting smooth tires, I would do that.
Those are two rather different questions. Rims are somewhat flexible in the tire width that they can take. My guess is that your Specialized can take 25mm or at least 28mm wide tires as well as 32mm.
And buying all-new wheels is pretty expensive anyway.
Why do you want to change up your tires? Do you particularly want a narrower tire, or is your main goal to have smoother tires without knobby tread? If you want to race your 'cross bike on the road, then it's worth going for narrower tires, maybe 23mm, which might do best with narrower rims. But if you just want to ride mainly on road and want less rolling resistance, then you can simply go for non-knobby tires and feel a big difference. Wider tires can be run at a lower pressure and are more comfortable than skinnier higher-pressure tires, and this is a good thing if you want a bit more comfort for long distance rides (and at little rolling-resistance cost, as well).
Lots of cyclists with straight-up road "racing" bikes never race them, but have a racing-model bike because, hell, that's what Lance rides, and he beat cancer and won the tour de france 7 times. You've got a bike that can take wider tires. Maybe you should try 28mm slicks (smooth tread) and see how you like them.
Thank you for the info. I was looking for skinny tires and rims. I am just wanting something that I can increase my speed with on the road with. If you think that I can do that by just getting smooth tires, I would do that.
txtricrossryder
04-06-07, 10:18 AM
Sounds like all you need to do is swap out the tire and inner tube for road tire. Continental has the ultragatorskin road tire that would be a good fit. If you want a good set of wheels then Excel Sports in Boulder Colorado builds a great set of not too expensive wheels. I would go for 36H rim and hub combination for long lasting durability that would work on both road and cross surfaces.
I have a cross bike with 36H Mavic OpenPro rims. They can accomodate anything from 700x23c to 42c tires. Most cross bikes have road wheels that will accomodate different tire sizes. The only thing you don't want to do is use an innertube that is too big for the tire. When I travel I bring 3 tire sizes: 23c for the road, 32c for hard packtrails, and 37c for riding on MTB type terrain. I use a different rated inner tube for each of those tire sizes. This allows me the widest range of riding.
Thank you for the info as well. I like your idea. I agree with you on the inner tube situation. Will check out Excel Sports and my LBS.
Carvey
I have a cross bike with 36H Mavic OpenPro rims. They can accomodate anything from 700x23c to 42c tires. Most cross bikes have road wheels that will accomodate different tire sizes. The only thing you don't want to do is use an innertube that is too big for the tire. When I travel I bring 3 tire sizes: 23c for the road, 32c for hard packtrails, and 37c for riding on MTB type terrain. I use a different rated inner tube for each of those tire sizes. This allows me the widest range of riding.
Thank you for the info as well. I like your idea. I agree with you on the inner tube situation. Will check out Excel Sports and my LBS.
Carvey