Commuting - Tires - Trek FX 7.5

Any comments on the Bontrager Race Light tires that come with this bike. I'm considering getting some Schwalbe Ultremo R.1

This is my third Trek bike and I was not happy with the Bontrager tires on either bike and changed them out. Was considering a set of Schwalbe Kojak's however the local shop here has the Ultremo's and I've not read or heard much about them.

Commute wise I can ride any tire. Work is 2 miles away and there is an underpass which has a very steep grade in either direction. The lower resistance and the faster I can get going the better. Of course if I take the other way around the base I work on the commute is about 4 miles which is what I usually do.

Any thoughts on the Ultremo tires?

John

Are you referring to the Race Lite or the Race Lite Hardcase? I have the latter.

After putting three and a half thousand miles on a set without one single flat, even after numerous times rolling over fields of glass, I must say that I like them very much.

They're not svelte racing tires (despite the name), but a Trek Hybrid is not a svelte racing bike. They're not sluggish feeling at 85-95 PSI which is where I like them, they have very good traction in the wet, and they're quite durable.

Two to four miles is pretty short commute, and race tires aren't going to make a relatively heavy bike climb like a mountain goat. If your fitness level is up to snuff, the only thing else that is going to help you is buying a lighter road bike. I'm not saying that you should buy a different bike, I'm saying you shouldn't worry about the tires until you wear them out.

I've got the Hardcase. I've read much better stuff about them. I forget what was on my Trek 1.5 and SU 2.0 originally but I had flats from punctures, especially on the Bontrager tires on the 1.5. Switched to Schwalbe and never had any trouble again.

I'm kind of a Schwalbe tire guy. I have about 8 bicycles and they all have Schwalbe and I just don't have any tire problems at all. But I also will keep these Race Lite's if there's no compelling reason to change them.

Thanks.......John

I was thinking about switching too, but I think when these wear out I might just buy them in a smaller diameter instead. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Not knowing what size you want, have, or can accomodate - I have been very happy with Schwalbe Marathon Supremes. They are available in 32, 35, and 40 widths.

Niagara has a really good price on 40s right now, about 28 bucks apiece. Folders, so they should be easy to ship APO.