Touring - Planning 100 miles ride. Rolling resistance question...

Hi. I'm going for IL to MI bike ride in a few weeks and I need your suggestions which bike to take.
The ride is mostly on paved trails and some roads. I don't need to take much with me since truck will deliver camping gear to our sleeping location.
I have a hybrid / specialized crosstrail / with 700c 38mm specialized infinity tire (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/city-urban/pavedusetires/infinityarmadillo)s and moutain bike / raleigh mojave / with 26 1.95 kenda small block 8 tire (http://www.kendausa.com/en/home/bicycle/mountain/small-block-eight.aspx)s .
Gearing setup is almost identical, but raleigh have 8 instead of 7 gears. Both bikes weights almost the same, but raleigh feels more sturdy.
Both bikes are equipped with front suspension forks and seat post suspension.

I tested both bikes today to see what's the difference in a rolling resistance. Both of them came to a stop in the exact same place/distance.
Taking hybrid just makes sense, but on other hand, mountain/trekking bike feels little better and is equipped with better brakes.

Yes, I know...strange "problem", but I want to see what others thinks, and I would love to listen to any suggestions to help me choose right and have better ride.

The ride I'm doing is Le Tour De Shore (http://letourdeshore.org/) if anyone is interested to join.

50 miles, no gear.... You could use either bike. I'd just pick the one that's more comfortable.

I wouldn't worry about "better" brakes, unless the bike's brakes actually need to be replaced, in which case you ought to do so anyway. ;)

Hi,

This looks like a nice event. I rode from Lake Forest, Illinois to Michigan City, Indiana using the same route in 2009. The route was paved and most riders were on road bikes without any problems.

I would take the Hybrid, the 700c size wheels and tires should do a better job on pavement. If the brakes are operating normally, they should be more than adequate. The smoother rolling bike will be easier to ride on a long event.

I would consider upgrading the tires, especially if the current tires are worn or damaged. Original equipment tires sold on new bikes are often heavier than needed and don't roll or ride as smoothly as good aftermarket tires.

These are all great tires. I have both the Vittoria and Schwalbe and are very happy with them.

Prices range from $13 each for the Forté Metro-K to about $60 for the Schwable tire.

700x32 Vittoria Randonneur Hyper: fast, light, supple, moderately flat resistant, moderate price, but weaker gravel & dirt road tire due to smaller size and smooth shoulders.

700x35 Schwalbe Dureme: very flat resistant, durable, better on soft ground, heavy, and expensive.

700x35 Forté Metro-K from Performance: Best value, very good all-around performer.

If I was touring, I would use the Schwalbe, it's the toughest and most versatile. If I was doing a century ride, I would want the Vittoria, it's the fastest and most supple. For all around commuting and recreational cycling, the Forte is hard to fault.

take whichever one is more comfortable. if it's a tie, i'd go for the hybrid.

... mountain/trekking bike feels little better ....

Seeing that day 1 is a 66 mile ride, I would go with the more comfortable bike, which apparently is the Raleigh if that's what you meant by the above quote. A bike that doesn't feel exactly right on a short ride will feel even worse on a longer ride.

+1, slick tires roll easiest.. I fit 32's on my Cross Bike , almost as easy
rolling as my Road bike, with 25's on it.

a 1.5" slick should make the 26" wheel bike OK, too..

On long rides, the main issue is seat comfort, and fit. Then main fit issue is position over the pedals. Normally MTBs are better for that. Comfort bikes are basically designed for people who don't ride bikes. Like major brands of beer are designed for people who don't like beer. Having said that, in older times geometry was more comfort like, so it can effective for you.

Seat wise, same thing. Comfort seating is mostly designed for people who are not riders or riding a long way. It feels good when you sit on it, but it is uncomfortable over the longer haul. Unfortunately the same is true, normally to a lesser extent, with even quality MTB seats. I have an 80 dollar Ti seat on my MTB, and it is real comfortable for about 40 miles. Brooks you can do 100 on every day.

If your MTB does edge your comfort bike out for the reason suggested, I would run slicks on it. That is what I run on my MTB. I only change to heavy treaded tires, when I go for the mud.

Thank you all for the input... I decided to take hybrid. It's much quiet and feels little faster than my mtb. It's not light weight, but I can easily ride 16+ on flat. That should be enough speed for this ride.
I may replace my 38mm tires with something slimmer 28 or so. The problem is that I'm getting a lot of flats. Mostly slow leaks and glass punctures. I'm a heavy rider, and it may be a part of the problem. I'm wonder if tire width has anything to do with flats (more weight on smaller surface)
I will post some pics or video from the ride.
Thanks again for helping me decide ;-)

On long rides, the main issue is seat comfort, and fit. Then main fit issue is position over the pedals. Normally MTBs are better for that. Comfort bikes are basically designed for people who don't ride bikes. Like major brands of beer are designed for people who don't like beer. Having said that, in older times geometry was more comfort like, so it can effective for you.

Seat wise, same thing. Comfort seating is mostly designed for people who are not riders or riding a long way. It feels good when you sit on it, but it is uncomfortable over the longer haul. Unfortunately the same is true, normally to a lesser extent, with even quality MTB seats. I have an 80 dollar Ti seat on my MTB, and it is real comfortable for about 40 miles. Brooks you can do 100 on every day.

If your MTB does edge your comfort bike out for the reason suggested, I would run slicks on it. That is what I run on my MTB. I only change to heavy treaded tires, when I go for the mud.

Great comment! Most miles I did on my MTB was around 70. It was pretty comfy on rough trail for the first 40 or so miles ( WTB Speed V (http://www.wtb.com/products/saddles/recreation/speedv/) ). The most miles I did on my hybrid was 109, and it was on paved trail. After 70 miles my rear was not happy, but it was before I mounted Thudbuster (http://www.thudbuster.com/) susspension seatpost.

I will replace my hybrid city tires with something slimmer and slick. Any suggestions on tires? My 700c rims are designed for anything between 25 and 37 (17)

I will replace my hybrid city tires with something slimmer and slick. Any suggestions on tires?

Yes




These are all great tires. I have both the Vittoria and Schwalbe and are very happy with them.

Prices range from $13 each for the Forté Metro-K to about $60 for the Schwable tire.

700x32 Vittoria Randonneur Hyper: fast, light, supple, moderately flat resistant, moderate price, but weaker gravel & dirt road tire due to smaller size and smooth shoulders.

700x35 Schwalbe Dureme: very flat resistant, durable, better on soft ground, heavy, and expensive.

700x35 Forté Metro-K from Performance: Best value, very good all-around performer.

If I was touring, I would use the Schwalbe, it's the toughest and most versatile. If I was doing a century ride, I would want the Vittoria, it's the fastest and most supple. For all around commuting and recreational cycling, the Forte is hard to fault.

YesThanks for reply. I don't want to spend fortune ($60) for a tire (another set sic! lol ) or pay little for something not good.
Is Forte flat resistant or it's just a round piece of rubber? For $13 it's a great value any way you look at this, but I have several sets of tires - cheap and expensive ones - that are hanging as a art in my garage. I don't want another "art" piece lol.
Thanks again for pointing out my blindness ;-)

EDIT
I just saw Forte Metro...I bought these tires for my project bike some time ago. The looked pretty good and with enough rubber to not to think about flats too much, but they don't have the size I want... Something between 25 and 30 would work the best.

lopek77, I have 35 mm Forte Gothams on my touring bike. They're rebranded Panaracer Pasalas, and I like them. They're not flat resistant if that matters greatly, but work well on a wide variety of surfaces.

Have fun on the ride. Short tours are a great way to become introduced to the touring spectrum.

Brad

lopek77, I have 35 mm Forte Gothams on my touring bike. They're rebranded Panaracer Pasalas, and I like them. They're not flat resistant if that matters greatly, but work well on a wide variety of surfaces.

Have fun on the ride. Short tours are a great way to become introduced to the touring spectrum.

Brad
This will be my first big, organized ride. Not many miles, but great trails, 3 states and a lot of fun for sure.

I just bought 700x28 Vittoria Zaffiro (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IOUAQG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER) tires( around 380-400 grams ). Great reviews, decent flat resistance, much lighter then my current 700x38 Specialized Infinity Armadillos (http://www.specialized.com/an/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=57081) (around 700 grams! ). I also bought Forté Road Schrader Tube (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10052&catalogId=10551&productId=1034729&summaryOnly=true&quantity=4) 700c x 28-32...yup...you can tell I don't like presta valves ;-) Chicago...here I come!

... the 700c size wheels and tires should do a better job on pavement....

I'm curious as to why you think 700c would be better on the pavement.

I recently completed my very first century ride taking a day's worth of food and water, with a couple extra long sleeve shirts, all tucked into a Carradic Nelson Longflap. I rode it on my 20" wheeled Tern Link P9 folding bike.

I would say to the OP, take whatever bike fits you the best.

Great comment! Most miles I did on my MTB was around 70. It was pretty comfy on rough trail for the first 40 or so miles ( WTB Speed V (http://www.wtb.com/products/saddles/recreation/speedv/) ). The most miles I did on my hybrid was 109, and it was on paved trail. After 70 miles my rear was not happy, but it was before I mounted Thudbuster (http://www.thudbuster.com/) susspension seatpost.

I will replace my hybrid city tires with something slimmer and slick. Any suggestions on tires? My 700c rims are designed for anything between 25 and 37 (17)

Go wider than 28. I ride with 41s and weigh 165 lbs. They are great. I'd say stick with 35s at least and you will be more comfortable and should have same ride characteristics (actuall better IMHO).

I had fewer punctures/flats after switching to wider tires. I have progressed from 23 mm to 25 mm to 28 mm to 32 mm. On skinnier tires, I got at least one flat on almost every tour. I rode the 28's for two or three years with only one flat (that I can remember), and have had zero flats in six years on the 32's. I know how to fix a flat by the side of the road, but prefer not to have to bother!

I had fewer punctures/flats after switching to wider tires. I have progressed from 23 mm to 25 mm to 28 mm to 32 mm. On skinnier tires, I got at least one flat on almost every tour. I rode the 28's for two or three years with only one flat (that I can remember), and have had zero flats in six years on the 32's. I know how to fix a flat by the side of the road, but prefer not to have to bother!

I think that getting or not getting flats has little to do with the width or type of tires. It's all about luck or lack or lack of it ;-) . I tried many different types, widths and puncture protection tires, and I got most of my flats on the thickest city tire with "the best " puncture resistant type, according to the manufacturer...
On other hand, I never got any flats with cheap tires with no puncture protection of any kind. So, again, pure luck in my opinion...

If you scroll down the page, Sheldons (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html) stuff is good reading.

If you scroll down the page, Sheldons (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html) stuff is good reading.

Im familiar with his website and I read this page lately again. The whole website is full of useful informations.

I got over 6000 flat free miles from a set of Schwalbe Marathon (a bit heavy) and am currently at almost 2800 flat free miles with a set of Schwalbe Marathon Supreme. The Supreme model cost 2x as much but is about half the weight and give a more spirited ride. The plain Marathons still had life left in them, but I was ready to try a lighter tire.

Both tires crossed more than their share of glass strewn roads and bumpy trails.

I did this ride, 106 flats free miles on Vittoria Zaffiro 700x28c tires. Great, quiet and fast rolling tires. I'm 270lbs, and at 115PSI they were the best tires of this kind I ever owned. I was able to keep 23-25 mph on flats with some rpms to spare. Very safe, good cornering tire on Specialized Crosstrail 700c hybrid bike.
With all the SAG stops, hills and riding in a group with slower riders, I ended up with 12 mph average speed. http://www.LeTourDeShore.com

Yea, I'd be more concerned about getting a flat more than anything else. Good luck on the ride!