ttttrigg3r

I just bought a 2010 specialized crosstrail 2 months ago and now I'm looking to change out the tires to something with less resistance. Here are the tires I have on now.
FRONT TIRE Specialized Borough XC Sport, 700x45c, 60TPI, wire bead
REAR TIRE Specialized Borough XC Sport, 700x45c, 60TPI, wire bead

What tires can I buy and what do I need to get to change both tires by myself (tubes, tools?) I use my bike for commuting and 20mi rides on the road on weekends. No trails the worse I've ever done is gravel and grass so I think skinnier tires might help me go faster and won't be as bad of a ride because roads in orange county, CA are not that bad. Thanks for looking.

Here's the website of the bike I bought.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...port%2FFitness

JAG410

I would go with Continental Gatorskins, 700x28 size. These will be faster and pretty flat resistant.

You'll need smaller tubes (Schrader Valve 700x23-28), tires, a pump, and tire levers. If you're commuting you should be carrying a pump, levers, and patch kit anyways, along with a multi tool of some sort.

MudvilleStomper

the rims are drilled for schrader valves, tho, right? wouldn't the skinny presta valves present a problem?

JAG410

Rims should be drilled for Schrader, yes, that's why I suggested sticking with that type of valve. You can use Presta valves in Schrader holes, but I don't suggest it without adapters. Most bike shops have little rubber o-ring adapters for the valve stem hole.

LeeG

folding Panaracer T-Serv or Pasela TG are very nice riding tires with adequate flat prevention. 32mm is a good size. Fat enough that it'll tolerate low psi but light and narrow enough for easy riding.

ttttrigg3r

Thanks for the nice replies. Continetals look great. What kind of tubes should I buy for 700x28 then If I will be buying 700x28 tires? Are there brand names or are tubes pretty much all the same? for example will this tube work with 700x28 tires?
https://www.amazon.com/Avenir-Regular.../dp/B00165U0SK
The size says 700x25-32 and I think the second number is in inches.

ttttrigg3r

bump for answer

ryanwood

The second set of numbers are a size range, so that tube should fit any 700c tire between 25 wide and 32 wide. That tube should work fine, but you are better off going to a bike shop and buying a good tube for less money and not paying for shipping. I usually pay 5 bucks for tubes at the bike shop, and I haven't had a flat with my specialized armadillos in 6,000 miles. I highly recommend the armadillos.

meanwhile

You don't need narrower tyres, just faster ones:

Fast 40mm-ish tyres would include Marathon Racers and Supremes.

Ignore the guy who suggested Armadillos. They're one of Specialized's slowest tyres and even Specialized admit they make the slowest tyres in existence:

If you do fit narrow rubber - and it would be a truly silly thing to do - be careful of internal rim width compatibility.

(People think that narrow tyres should be faster because of reduced friction, but freely moving wheels don't suffer friction - that's the point! Friction is what you get ***when the brake is applied.***)

meanwhile

Do you have ANY idea whether these would be compatible with the inner rim width of his wheels? Do you know what could happen in terms of sudden handling loss if he fitted tyres that are too narrow for the rim and they pinch flatted and dinged the wheel in a pot hole? I know that you're trying to help, but is it a good idea to answer questions where you lack the basic technical technical information to give a safe answer?

It's likely that a rim designed for 45s can't safely be used with 28s:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

My guess is that the Crosstrail will have at least a 21mm inner rim - anything less for a bike fitted with 45s as standard would be idiotic; a 19 rim would be stretched to its limit - which mean that it shouldn't be used with less than a 35mm tyre.

meanwhile

Personally, I'd fit Big Apples to a Crosstrail - checking that the inner rim width and frame clearance are wide enough. These are wider that the 45s currently fitted *and* faster. They're terrific fun:

ttttrigg3r

wow meanwhile those articles were 180 degrees from what I've heard so far. Thanks. So It's probably best if I just stuck to the 700x45 borough xc or upgrade to the big apples? What size would you recommend if I went with big apples?

canyoneagle

I also caution against going too narrow. Comfort suffers and efficiency increases only slightly, given a similar tire.

If your rim can accommodate them, I find 32-35mm to be a great mix of comfort and performance. I have no desire to go any narrower.

If your rim cannot accommodate a narrower tire, just get better quality tires in the 40-45mm range. You'll find an improvement in overall "feel" and the nice round profile will provide better comfort and more secure handling than narrower tires.

meanwhile

Could you get me the inner rim with? It should be written on the rim. Also your ability to run Big Apples will be limited by frame clearance - if you're not confident checking this, ask your bike store. By this, I mean that the BS may jam against your fork or set stays.

I wouldn't keep the Boroughs - either fit the BAs if you're sure that they will fit or go for Supremes (Or Duremes, if you want to keep riding on gravel) in a size to match your rim. But whatever you do, first find out that inner rim width and check it with me and/or that chart!

And in general, always check that Sheldon Brown site - or that of Park Tools - for information rather than asking here. They're MUCH more likely to be right.

Leebo

The wire bead tire will be heavier than kevlar beaded tires. Less rotational weight may help.

rerschik

I also just bought a Specialized Crosstrail 2017 and have tire concerns. It came with Trigger Sport Reflect 700x38 and the bike doesn't coast well. I'm looking to go smoother and skinnier. Or maybe same size but smoother. Any similar experience or recommendations?

Andy_K 

When you say it "doesn't coast well" I guess you mean that it slows down quicker than you'd expect? How quickly does it drift to a stop? Do the wheels spin OK if you lift the bike off the ground? Does it feel sluggish when you pedal?

More air pressure might help a bit. Stiff tires have higher rolling resistance at low pressures, but if you go too high they'll be bouncing off things and that will also be bad for rolling resistance. A more supple tire with a smoother tread will definitely help.

What's your budget? Since the answer above were provided, Conti has come out with 700x32 versions of their Gatorskin and GP 4 Seasons tires. If you are willing to spend the extra money, I highly recommend the GP 4 Seasons, though they are harder to find in the 700x32 version.

At a lower price point, Panaracer T-Servs are a nice tire. They don't roll quite as well as the Contis and I don't think the puncture protection is as good, but for the price they're pretty good. If you have a high budget but want more durable (yet still relatively fast) tire, look at the Schwalbe Marathon Supreme. They don't roll quite as well as the Contis, but they're tougher.

rerschik

Thanks for all that Andy. Yes it slows down quicker than I'd expect. And I checked all the obvious like air pressure, brakes dragging, etc. I just think that since I ride 95% rode, I should have a smoother tire and looked a the Gator skins you suggested. Frankly, budget not as much concern as solution, so I think I'll go with them and see. Again, thanks for such a thorough reply. I'm really getting into this biking thing and love this forum.

chas58

Blast from the past - awakening a dead thread!!!

The fallacy here is that large tires ride slowly (although that was not too obvious in 2011). Really, up to about ~30mm bigger tires roll faster than smaller tires (i.e. 23mm). Above that is basically a wash.

BUT

Tire construction makes a big difference. You can get "race tire" like construction from continental up to 32mm (I have 32mm Grand Prix 4 seasons). Schwalbe and Victorria have some pretty large supple tires, as does Compass (these are legendary and expensive).
https://www.compasscycle.com/product...ts/tires/700c/

A good smooth tread 28-32mm tire is great. Tubes generally fit 28-35mm tires, so you could use the same size tube for both of your tires. I'm not sure the tires you have are bad, but of course weight can make a tire slow to accelerate or climb.

chas58

and, for more than you want to know on bicycle rolling resistance of specific tires, you can browse here:
Road Bike Tires Rolling Resistance Reviews