Fifty Plus (50+) - Clueless about tires for my hybrid bike?

I am a recreational biker who does a lot of trips mostly on paved paths of say 25 miles or so. My tires on my old Giant Nutra are cracked and beginning to dry rot. I need new tires but the sheer selection of bike tires is overwhelming to someone like me. My current blackwall tire size says 700X38C on the tire. While I do 90% of my riding on asphalt I do ride on crushed limestone paths as well on which there are small loose stones at times and debris. So I figure a strict totally smooth road tire would not be good for me. I need some suggestions as to which tire would work for me and where is a good place to get tires online. I looked at Nashbar but once again I have no clue as to which tire would serve me well. I do want something resistent to flats if possible since lately I have gotten more than my share. I am a big guy at about 260 pounds. Any specific tire suggestions and where to get them would be most appreciated.

I apologize if this is the wrong forum for this post but I could not find a forum specific to my topic.:)

Go with these for cheap.
How much do you want to spend on tires?

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000121&subcategory=60001255&brand=&sku=21619&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20700x28%20to%20700x45%20Touring%2FTrekking%2FHybrid

I like Specialized Armadillos.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=35691

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=35692

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=35693

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=35694

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=35695

Local dealers.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCDealerLoc.jsp

I confess I usually just check the Nashbar website for what's on sale.... One thing to avoid is tires with tiny little "sipes" or grooves; these tend to attract sharp little rocks and chunks of glass like a magnet.

Go with these for cheap.
How much do you want to spend on tires?

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000121&subcategory=60001255&brand=&sku=21619&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20700x28%20to%20700x45%20Touring%2FTrekking%2FHybrid


I have one of these. It's an okay hybrid tire.

There are usually tires from Continental and Kenda from your LBS. Or Bontrager if a Trek dealer.

Many of the on-line retailers don't offer much, as hybrid owners tend to buy locally rather than mail-order.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. The way I see it, I want my bike to be as flat resistant as my cars. Nothing else comes close.

Paul

Well I've been riding on these Nashbar tires.
Found the 32mm width to be quicker on pavement then my stock Bontrager 38mm hardcase. Also quite good on crushed limestone trails. Unfortunately it appears Nashbar only has 38mm in stock. Can't comment on flats, I must live a charmed life so far. Had only 1 in three years.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=6000121&subcategory=60001260&brand=&sku=8147&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Commuter%20Tires

The Schwalbe's are definitely a hardier tire, but keep in mind that most hybrid tires have much thicker rubber, and usually a tread or inverted tread, as compared to road tires and most aren't prone to puncture. Note that the $8 Nashbar tires weigh 500-600 grams each, so there is already a lot of casing and rubber there.

If one really wants to avoid almost any chance of a flat then the Schwalbe or Armadillos are best. But they will cost significantly more than most hybrid tires. OTOH, they might last 5-10 years for a hybrid rider.

I do ride on crushed limestone paths as well on which there are small loose stones at times and debris. So I figure a strict totally smooth road tire would not be good for me.

Tread on bicycle tires is overrated. I don't think that tread on crushed limestone trails does much. I live about 2 miles from Missouri's crushed limestone Katy trail so I ride on it a lot. My bike of choice for the Katy has 28mm wide slick tires.

I'm having the same thoughts that I don't want a road bike but would like my Diamondback hybrid to go a little better. The other night I saw a comment about better quality tires "rolling better". I know you get what you pay for but is this true? I have Kenda Kouriers 700 x 40c right now on a 19 rim. I see these are fairly cheap on the spectrum so could I go to a 28 in a really expensive tire? One difference though I'm only 150 lbs though.

Way back my best buddy saved for years and bought a Paris Sport when the rest of s couldn't afford a cheap Huffy. When you got on that bike it rolled like ball bearings on glass soaked in water. I gues I'm looking for that.

Schwalbe Marathon Supreme from Niagra Bicycle.

So you say stay with the 40c

What kind of bike are the Kendas on? And does that tire have a fairly smooth tread in the center? When you ride on pavement, are they relatively quiet or do you hear a lot of tire noise?

A lighter, thinner, smoother tire can make a bit of a difference on a hybrid. But even a smooth fat tire is still relatively quick, as many people using slicks on mountain bikes have found out.

If it is kinda knobbie / noisy, then going to a smaller, smoother tire could help as it would have less rolling resistance. Doubt I would go any lower than a 700x32 on a standard, heavy'ish hybrid.

I do want something resistent to flats if possible since lately I have gotten more than my share.

Those Kenda Cosmos are a steal!

Here in New Mexico, we have an ubiquitous little thorn plant called the goathead. You can't swing a dead cat around without hitting one, let along ride out of your driveway. I use Slime in my tires and swear by it. Unless I happen to pick up some unusually large chunks of glass, the Slime seals the punctures fast and efficiently. And unlike some tire sealers, it doesn't harden inside your wheel and throw it off balance.

I also know people who create ghettofied thorn/glassproof wheels by cutting the center strip from an old tire and inserting it between their tube and tire.

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2007&Brand=Diamondback&Model=Edgewood&Type=bike

It's a Diamondback Edgewood. No I have tread all the way thru the center but I haven''t noticed how much noise is there. I probably should weigh it to see how heavy it is. DB doesn't list the weight so if you're 1 gram heavier you can't make them fix it. lol. I just checked Kenda and the picture they have shows the kourioe as being smooth middle'd. Hmmmm

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. The way I see it, I want my bike to be as flat resistant as my cars. Nothing else comes close.

Paul

I'll second that. After getting two flats a week I changed to the Schwalbes and never got a flat for the next 8 months until:

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=79342&stc=1&d=1219571241

They're expensive but worth it.

Thank you all for the wonderful advice. The cost of the tire is not as important as the durability and flat resistance to me. I had to walk my bike back home about 10 miles the other day in 90+ degree heat and I don't want that to happen again if possible. I looked at some new Treks and they all seem to have the Bontrager Hard Case Select Invert tires on them.

The Bontrager Hard Case Select Invert are very good tires for a hybrid.

http://bontrager.com/technology/hardcase/en

As good as a Schwalbe Marathon?
http://www.schwalbetires.com/marathon

Or Specialized Infinity Armadillo or Nimbus Armadillo?
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=35691
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=35692

I'd be surprised if the Bontrager was as puncture-resistant as those three. But I would expect it to be close.

Can anyone tell me about quality of the Kenda branded tires? They seem to be much cheaper than most other brands but not many people on the forums seem to recommend them as a replacement tire. Is there a reason or is this just a coincidence? The Kenda kevlar belted tires seem to be very reasonable in price.

Kenda makes many good tires in a wide variety of prices. I have had nothing but good results from them, cheap ones and more upscale ones. Their Tomac Series Small Block Eight MTB tires are a top choice among XC MTB racers in my area. I would not hesitate to buy a Kenda tire that had the design features I wanted.

Great ride.

Challenge GRIFO XS dry CYCLOCROSS Clincher (Open Tubular) Tire

http://www.bikemania.biz/Challenge_GRIFO_XS_dry_CYCLOCROSS_Clincher_Tire_p/rr_challenge_grifo_clincherxs.htm

Tread on bicycle tires is overrated. I don't think that tread on crushed limestone trails does much. I live about 2 miles from Missouri's crushed limestone Katy trail so I ride on it a lot. My bike of choice for the Katy has 28mm wide slick tires.

I agree with this. I ride a lot of crushed gravel on 23s. 28s are better but if the skinny tires are on the bike and I feel like riding the gravel I go for it anyway.

For the OP, here's my suggestion:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=2296&subcategory_ID=5425

I put these on my wifes hybrid and I'm pleased with them. I think even she noticed the improvement over the heavy treaded tires her bike came with

If I may sneak my own cluelessness in under someone else's thread: I have a hybrid (Giant Cypress) and I think the tires are 700 x 38 (is that the same as 29" x 1.5"?). I'm always reading here that narrower, smoother tires will make the bike roll more efficiently. If that's so, here's my dumb question. Does that mean I can replace my tires (the rubber part with tread) with narrower tires on the same wheel (the metal part)? Do 700x38s and, say, 700x32s take the same tubes?

My ignorance may be partly excusable. Earlier in the summer both my tires flatted when I left the bike out in the sun in 100+* weather. My LBS told me I had them pumped up too high (at the time I was inflating to 60 when the side of the tire said 55-85). He said they should never be inflated over 45. That can't be right.

..... I had to walk my bike back home about 10 miles the other day in 90+ degree heat and I don't want that to happen again if possible.......

Regardless of what tire you eventually go with you NEED to have a spare tube, tire levers and a frame pump of some sort and learn to deal with changing the tube while out on a ride. Even the most flat resistant tires will find something that'll beat them as the post a few up with the nail showed. Seriously, this is not an option IMHO and I'll bet that anyone that commutes will back me up on this.

Getting back to tire selection....

A large part of my enjoyment of riding is the snappiness of the bike under me. To get that I prefer a lighter tire so the rotational mass is lower. This really perks up the bike each time I pull away from a stop. I've only handled a Schwalbe Marathon once but found it to be a thick and heavy tire. A good tire from all accounts judging by the number of strong recomendations but you obviously make a choice for durability over performance when you choose such a tire. My own recomendation for a lighter but still highly flat resistant option based on many years of riding them is the Panaracer TG tires. I ran a Pasela TG for 5 or 6 years of commuting with no flats that I can remember vs the one a month from my other tires. The TG belting comes on the Pasela and Tserv and both of these tires are a lighter and faster rolling tire than I think you'll find the Marathon or similar heavy sidewall and tread options to be. If speed and quick rolling are important to you then I'd suggest trying a set. If you're more of a casual rider then I think you'll love the Marathons or similar inverted heavy tread styles.

Regardless of what tire you eventually go with you NEED to have a spare tube, tire levers and a frame pump of some sort and learn to deal with changing the tube while out on a ride. Even the most flat resistant tires will find something that'll beat them as the post a few up with the nail showed. Seriously, this is not an option IMHO and I'll bet that anyone that commutes will back me up on this.



+1000
Unless you don't plan on going far, or like walking long distances or have a team car following, you need to be able to fix a flat.

Can anyone tell me about quality of the Kenda branded tires? They seem to be much cheaper than most other brands but not many people on the forums seem to recommend them as a replacement tire. Is there a reason or is this just a coincidence? The Kenda kevlar belted tires seem to be very reasonable in price.

My hybrid when new had Kenda tyres as stock. Obviously these were cheap ones but they were pretty awful. I got a lot of punctures in them once they started to wear after about a year. As a result of this experience I wouldn't buy Kenda tires of any description.

If I may sneak my own cluelessness in under someone else's thread: I have a hybrid (Giant Cypress) and I think the tires are 700 x 38 (is that the same as 29" x 1.5"?).

I doubt it. The bike world is full of tire sizes that are ALMOST the same but are in fact NOT interchangable.


If that's so, here's my dumb question. Does that mean I can replace my tires (the rubber part with tread) with narrower tires on the same wheel (the metal part)? yes


Do 700x38s and, say, 700x32s take the same tubes?yes


My LBS told me I had them pumped up too high (at the time I was inflating to 60 when the side of the tire said 55-85). He said they should never be inflated over 45. That can't be right.doesn't sound right to me. If the tire says 55-85 then the pressure should be in that range depending on the riders weight and the surface you ride it on (dirt or pavement). Heavier riders = more pressure (closer to 85). Softer surfaces = less pressure (closer to 55)

+1000
Unless you don't plan on going far, or like walking long distances or have a team car following, you need to be able to fix a flat.

I had a spare inner tube with me when I got the flat. I put it on and then tried to put air in the thing with this pump my wife bought. Well the pump wouldn't put air in the tire. I had this false sense of security since I had a pump and a spare tube. Foolishly I never tried this cheap pump to see if it worked and ended up walking back as a result. I just ordered a Topeak Road Morph pump which should solve the problem of the cheap pump failure. My present tires still actually have decent tread but the sidewalls are cracking from dry rot thus need to be replaced.

I think I am going to try the Performance Forte' ST Cross/ K Road tire. in a 700CX35 size from my local store. Lots of people seem to like them and the price is very attractive on sale now. My only concern is the sidewall is not as thick as a Schwalbe Marathon etc. The tire is kevlar belted but lighter than some of the ones suggested here. I am going to give them a try.

If I may sneak my own cluelessness in under someone else's thread: I have a hybrid (Giant Cypress) and I think the tires are 700 x 38 (is that the same as 29" x 1.5"?). I'm always reading here that narrower, smoother tires will make the bike roll more efficiently. If that's so, here's my dumb question. Does that mean I can replace my tires (the rubber part with tread) with narrower tires on the same wheel (the metal part)? Do 700x38s and, say, 700x32s take the same tubes?

My ignorance may be partly excusable. Earlier in the summer both my tires flatted when I left the bike out in the sun in 100+* weather. My LBS told me I had them pumped up too high (at the time I was inflating to 60 when the side of the tire said 55-85). He said they should never be inflated over 45. That can't be right.

You came to the right place because I am a tire size expert.

Sheldon Brown on Tire Sizing (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html)

Now, you are an expert too. <G>

You are right in thinking that tires marked 55-85 LBS are not over-inflated at 60 LBS and would be a bit under-inflated at 45 LBS. Something may have been lost in translation somewhere.

One thing that confuses me is what width tire to get. I currently have 700CX38's with some hybrid tread pattern to them. They seem to be a little rolling resistant for long day trips of say up to 40 miles. I would like something with puncture resistance and lower rolling resistance. What would be a good width to go to in a narrower tire? I suppose we are looking for something between 32 and 35 which seem to be the most common sizes. Does the fact I weigh in around 250# have any bearing on the width or type of tires I get. What would you suggest for tire width?