jgjulio

My wife has a 2008 Fuji Absolute 2.0. (She is not an Athena)

https://www.fujibikes.com/LifeStyle/R...bsolute20.aspx

The tires are 700X28C. The side wall stated air pressure is 80lbs.

My question: If I change the tires to higher pressure tires (with less tread) will she notice a difference in riding? Will this change make it easier for her (speed, effort, etc.)?

If so what tire(s) would your recommend. (Something that is puncture resistant please)

Thanks.

selfnoise

It doesn't look like the tires the bike comes with have much in the way of tread to begin with... you could try putting on slicks (I like Continental Ultra Gatorskins) but I don't think you'll notice a huge difference. Thinner, higher pressure tires might also be less comfortable.

Mr. Beanz

Try Continetal Grand Prix 4000's. Nice ride, I have them on myh wife's roadie. 700X23 is a bit wider than the other Continetal models (Ultra Race). I think it's a gimmick so that they can state the GP's to be more comfy. SO if you go Continental. go with the GP's as they are more comfy than the Ultra race. I don't use them cause I tear up tires at a rapid pace.

I use 700X25's and 23's. I don't notice a difference in comfort to be honest. I only use the 25's cause I took them laying around and use them for a training tire. Difference in speed is barely noticeable.

If you go with an Ultra Race Continental. I'd go with a 25 as it's maybe .050 wider than the Grandprix. Grand Prix, go with the 23.

sstorkel

+1 Aluminum frames have a tendency to ride harsh. Unless you have a specific need for a smaller tire, I'd stick with the biggest one that will fit. I've had good luck with Continental Ultra Gatorskins and GP 4-seasons. I'm tempted to try the Gran Prix 4000s that Mr. Beanz recommends as my next tire.

MilitantPotato

Bontrager race lite hard-cases ($40) are light with good flat protection. Serfas SECA's ($20-$25) are also light and have kevlar, and for about 1/2 the price of hard-cases.

I'm guessing, if she's very light, higher pressure won't help much, since the tire already doesn't deflect much under her weight.
Higher pressure then needed makes for a really rough ride. A slick tread helps a bit, but increases braking,turning, and wet weather grip by quite a lot.

Heavy tires make bikes feel dead, so find a compromise unless a flat has to be avoided.

late

With tires you balance off one attribute at the expense of others. Puncture resistance adds weight, for example.

What you want is a better tire. There are a lot of choices.

But let's make it simple.

There are tires around 300 grams. One of my favorites is the Rivendell Ruffy Tuffy 27c. It's light, and quick and moderately puncture resistant. There are other tires like that.

Btw, do you have goatheads there? Only a very few tires will survive those.

Now we jump up to the 400 gram tires. The ones you have now are probably about that, but look at more expensive versions. A new one is the Panaracer RibMo. My LBS is very enthusiastic about it. These tires are going to say 32c, but most tires (esp expensive ones) run a bit small. They won't be much, if any, different from what you have now as far as size goes.

I use the Panaracer Pasela TG Folding tire in a 32c. It's a nice compromise between this and that.

One expensive choice is the Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 32c. It has a nice ride, is quite durable, and is light for a tire that is pretty tough.
https://www.schwalbetires.com/marathon_supreme

There are a bunch of other choices. Each balances off cost, durability, performance.

TechKnowGN

I have an 08 Absolute 4.0, and I'm rolling with a Forte (PB's house brand) slick up front and a gatorskin on the back for extra flat protection. Im a clyde, and it handles me fine, Im just careful to keep the pressure up on the rear.