Mountain Biking - Treads for different terrains?

I'm new to this forum so I apologise if this has been answered previously.

Recently I no longer have access to the bike I have been riding so I am in the market for a new bike. I have been surfing the net, trying to learn as much as I can and narrowing down the options (those bike shops can be confusing with so many options).

I would like to buy a bike to ride 80% on bike paths (for a couple of hours at a time), and 20 % for off road dirt trails but nothing too radical. My thinking is a mountain bike is the most versatile and can handle both the on and the off stuff.

My questions revolves around tyres and treads that are optimised for terrains. If I am riding 80% on asphalt I would think a smoother tread would be an optimal tread. For off road the rougher tread (not sure of the right term) is more suitable.

So I am interested in what people do or what they recommend.

Do I just get the off road tread and ride it on the smooth paths or do I get a second set of wheels for the off road stuff (not sure how practical it is or how expensive). Maybe there are other options I should be considering?

I would like to walk into the store with an idea of what to do - to avoid the possibility of walking out with a second set of somethings which I didn't really need.

Sorry for the length but any help would be appreciated.

cheers.

Firstly when you buy a bike, you don't have to stick with the tyres that come stock with the bike, most bike shops will swap them when you buy the bike, even if you have to pay the difference in cost.

My riding is mainly road, but I do like to go off-road as well. I bought a pair of Vredestein Spider semi-slicks which are slick down the centre inch with knobbles on the sides. The knobbles don't touch the ground on road if they're at full pressure (unless you bank very steeply on the corners) but give some grip on loose gravel and dirt off-road. They are a compromise, but if you're not riding off-road in very muddy conditions they might suit you.

Richard

Oh, and welcome to the forums ;)

I agree w/ RichD. Go with a semi-slick or a "comfort bike" tire (tyre - for those across the pond).

There is a tread pattern that has a solid rubber section in the center of the tire and knobbies on the sides.

There are also semi-slicks that are full knobbies, just shorter and spaced further apart.

A couple of questions for you:

1. You stated you'll be 80% paved. Is this for training, commuting or just leisurely (sp?) riding? If leisurely, I'd stick with a full knobby tire. You'll be slower on the paved, but who really cares as long as you're having fun. The benefit will be the times you DO ride off-road, you'll have better traction than with a semi-slick.

When riding a semi-slick off road, you've got to be somewhat careful. If you've got a full knobby tire, you can be a little more aggressive.

2. What kind of off-road trails will you be riding? If hard packed and relatively smooth, I'd lean more toward the semi-slick. If very rooty, or wet with a lot of rocks or all of the above, I'd go full knobby!

3. Are you mechanically inclined? Or rather, Will you take the time to swap out tires? If so, why not get a set of slicks for the time you're on the road and then swap out for some "inexpensive" knobbies for the time you know you'll be riding off?

Good Luck & L8R
:beer:

If the off -road in non-radical well prepared bike paths/trails, then a mixed use tyre is fine. You can ride off road without knobbles. Knobbles contribute to traction in very loose surfaces when you do aggressive acceleration or braking.

Knobblies designed for dry trails often clog up in mud, and turn into heavy slick tyres. Mud tyres are better for muddy terrain.

Thanks for all the replies it has clarified in my mind what the options are.

a2 - the path rides are leisurely but I often ride with others who have say have hybrid type of bikes so I would like to at least keep up with them. I don't mind pushing a little harder to ride the bike as it contributes to my overall fitness.

I have not done much off road stuff but on the few rides I have its mostly hard packed and some gravel areas which belong to the fire break trails.

On swapping the tyre (or tire as they say over the pond :) ) how long does this take for the average punter?

Once again thanks for the replies, I appreciate the input.

cheers.

Originally posted by doodad


On swapping the tyre (or tire as they say over the pond :) ) how long does this take for the average punter?





It takes less time with experience. Anything from 25-30 minutes for your average novice up to a couple of minutes for someone who has done it more times than he's had hot dinners. :)