So I got my Hardrock back on Tuesday with Hemisphere EX tires (not the new version, previous model). Shop installed for free and got a decent deal on them.
My early AM ride today was on the Hardrock with the new tires vs. my Giant with Kenda Kwest 32c tires.
Wow! What a difference! I love both bikes, but there's something about how "beefy" the Hardrock frame is that makes me a bit more comfortable on the cr*ptastic roads we have here post-winter (potholes, gunk on the road, etc). They're a fatter tire (1.95 vs. the 1.5s that bdinger and others have dropped on their MTB), but I pumped them up to about 80psi (max spec on the tire) and they definitely have a nice feel to them vs. the Revolution Knobbies that came stock on my '07 sport.
Very easily got the bike up in the 14mph range, avg. speed (I was plodding along this AM since I was dog tired) was around 9-10mph. Definitely have to do something about the fork at some point, but I'm quite comfortable now using the Hardrock as my morning ride and my ride when my wife goes with me (on her '03 Boulder SE with Serfas Drifter 1.5s).
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I like a larger tire myself. The extra volume give a better ride and less a chance to pinch flat or blow-out due to hard edge impacts.
badgermac
Ditto with you. They had the thinner tires at the LBS but I wanted something similiar to what I had on my bike originally just without the knobbies.
I've got the 32c's on my FCR so I already have a thinner tire bike. Speaking of the FCR - it's going to the LBS here tomorrow for a once-over - whomever put it together was not their best person, shifting is more goofy then I would expect (even with lower-level Shimano groupset) and it needs a brake adjustment. I'm glad I got the Hardrock to cover.
jgedwa
Depending on rider technique, weight, tire pressure, cushiness desired, and pavement roughness narrow slicks are great. I ride 1.25 most everywhere and love it. Most people seem to prefer at least 1.5 for the above reasons though.
jim
bdinger
Awesome to hear! I really debated 1.95's, but they didn't have any that had the Armadillo casing, so I went with 1.50's. I'm in the same boat as you, I really enjoy the damping on the potholed and craptastic streets/sidewalks/MUPs here. In fact, I think I'll keep the RST fork on mine, I have the two "knobs" cranked down as far as they can go and it provides some damping without completely being annoying on climbs.
I like wider tires so much that I'm going to keep the 700x37's that come "stock" on the Long Haul Trucker, and when the time comes to replace 'em I'll go with 700x38 Nimbus Armadillos. I was going to put 700x28's on it, but I've had enough of the bone jarring rides for a lifetime :).
ban guzzi
Depending on rider technique, weight, tire pressure, cushiness desired, and pavement roughness narrow slicks are great. I ride 1.25 most everywhere and love it.
jim
Running Conti SportContacts at 1.3. VERY happy with them.
badgermac
Iv'e got Kenda Kwest (http://www.kendausa.com/bicycle/commuter.html#kwest) 32c's on my FCR (They aren't on their site so either they aren't generally available or they're an older line) and have no issue with them. I'll go to 35s or 38s when these run out.
I didn't go Armadillo casing partially because of cost but they also didnt' have them in stock in 1.95s. They did have Crossroads there but liked the Hemispheres more.
I may end up building up wheels and put the stock revs on them so I can swap out come winter and still use that beast of a HardRock. Man I love that bike. I'm not sure what it is, but I didn't get that warm fuzzy "Cool" feeling when I looked at the Trek MTBs.
bdinger
I may end up building up wheels and put the stock revs on them so I can swap out come winter and still use that beast of a HardRock. Man I love that bike. I'm not sure what it is, but I didn't get that warm fuzzy "Cool" feeling when I looked at the Trek MTBs.
I concur! I just ordered a new crankset and BB for my Hardrock, so to pay that off it's got a LOT more miles left in it. It now turns out I have about another month left before I can (reasonably.. if I were still single it'd be here and I'd be living on ramen!) afford my LHT, so yeah. But I'm not worried, my HR is feeling great these days, and aside from a rear wheel that's slightly out of true and the shot crankset.. it's great.
Granted, after the crankset I'll have replaced most of the drivetrain..... LOL.