Bicycle Mechanics - How to buy tires

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tbradnc
03-12-05, 07:37 PM
My Cannondale R1000 came with Hutchinson Topspeed tires, size 700 x 23. I'm getting ready to purchase some new tires and am wondering if I need to stick with a "folding tire" or will any 700 x 23 suffice?

Thanks,
Thomas

sydney
03-12-05, 08:06 PM
My Cannondale R1000 came with Hutchinson Topspeed tires, size 700 x 23. I'm getting ready to purchase some new tires and am wondering if I need to stick with a "folding tire" or will any 700 x 23 suffice?

Thanks,
ThomasYou don't have to stick with a folder. Make sure it's a clincher.Buy three.The rear wears twice as fast.
tbradnc
03-12-05, 08:11 PM
Thanks for the info.

While we're on the topic, I'm going to order a few tubes to have on hand as well. The box says "700 - 18 x 23".

Do I need to stay exactly with this size or will "700 - 18 x 25", etc. work as well?

Thanks again,
Thomas

solo
03-12-05, 08:24 PM
A tube labeled with a range that includes your width should be fine.

A bit of advice...if you're buying from a local shop, I'd recommend taking the wheel with you to make sure your selection will fit. I recently got Continental tires at an exceptional price from a clearance sale (i.e. no returns) only to find it was nearly impossible to get them on my rims.

I learned from reading other posts here that a tire of a given size doesn't fit every rim of that size.
tbradnc
03-13-05, 06:40 AM
Regarding tires, should the front and back be identical (manufacturer/design) or is it ok to run mismatched tires on front and rear?

My tires are Hutchinson Topspeed but neither Nash nor Performance carries that particular tire.

I'm going to need a back tire soon due to trainer wear but the front is fine.

Thanks again,
Thomas
BillK
03-13-05, 07:37 AM
I'm getting ready to purchase some new tires and am wondering if I need to stick with a "folding tire" or will any 700 x 23 suffice?

It depends on your needs. Most 700x23 tires should fit, although as solo points out, you do run across the odd bird every once and a while. A folding tire (i.e., one with a Kevlar bead) allows you to carry an extra one with you during a long ride (in case you really shred one), but most folks (in my experience) don't bother.
bostontrevor
03-13-05, 08:00 AM
No need to stick with same tire in front and back. In fact some people intentionally run different tires, say wider or with a little tread for loose surfaces up front and a thinner slick in the rear. But it may look funny is all.

As for the tube thing, specifically the 700x18-25 means that the tube will fit 700x18 through 700x25 tires.