the sci guy 

I want to change up the wheels or tires on my Cross Check and maybe lose a little weight in the process. Obviously buying an expensive wheel set is the best answer, but I'm not dropping money on that right now. Would simply swapping the standard 700x32 wire beaded tires for some foldable 28s be a good start?

Though if anyone has any suggestions for a relatively budget lighter set of wheels than the stock ones I'm all ears.

I suppose another question would be can I just swap tires and tubes on these wheels? Surly's site lists them as "Alex Adventurer 700c, Double wall. 32h." I'd like to put slicker 28s on. Maybe 25s but probably not.

Igualmente

Don't know anything specific about your bike/wheels/tires... but... if you believe the Vittoria tire people, I lost about 100grams per wheel by upsizing from cheap 25mm tires (Zaffiro) to better 28mm tires (Rubino Pro). Cost was about $65. If you are downsizing tires, there might be a lot more for you to gain.

From what I can tell, if I wanted to lose another 200 or 250 grams per wheel, I would be into a $300 or so wheelset.

Bigger picture: I'm not sure I can even tell the difference in making changes like this.

Retro Grouch 

If everything else is equal folding tires will definitely be a little lighter. The bad news is it probably won't be enough difference for you to notice.

Still, if you can find 16 places to shave an ounce of weight off of your bike, you can make your bike a whole pound lighter. You'll probably be able to notice a pound of difference.

cyccommute 

Changing to a folding bead and a narrower tire will make a slight difference but as Retro Grouch says, it's not going to be that noticeable. Wheels would be a better way to go but be aware that most of the commercial low spoke count wheels aren't all that light. You could build lighter ones. I recently built a set of conventional wheels to replace a low spoke count wheel and lost 2 pounds off the wheels in the process. That's a huge weight savings in wheels.

I used White Industry T11 hubs with titanium freehub ($400 for the set), Pillar PSR TB 2015 spokes and Velocity A23 rims. I would have preferred Velocity Aeroheads (slightly lighter and narrower) but couldn't get them. The wheels weren't cheap to build but they were less expensive than many boutique wheelsets I've seen.

They also make a noticeable difference in the ride. The bike's acceleration is much quicker with less effort to get the wheels rolling.

fietsbob

folding bead and no puncture resistant band in the tire, high thread count casing & expensive.




RBW jack brown Green label is 33wide rather light and a nice ride Jack Brown GREEN 700c x 33.333 Light - 10091 - GREEN

blue adds a bit more rubber in the tread and adds the Kevlar tread band,

shops with The Merry Sales distributor's account can get them.. to buy Local ..

I have a green label pair ro resell (dont ride the CX bike I got them for, much

I put something heavier and more durable on instead

bikemig 

You should be able to save a considerable amount of weight by swapping out the wheels and tires without incurring a huge expense and the difference will be noticeable:

The Alex DH 19 rims (these are the current stock surly cross check rims, yours may be a bit different) that come stock on the bike weigh in at 580 grams each: Alexrims - cycling wheels

You can pick up a new set of wheels built around shimano 105 hubs and velocity A23 rims (nice rims as they're a little wider) built by QBP from a local shop or via the internet. QBP sells surlys and its handbuilt wheels are very good wheels. The velocity A23 rims are very sturdy and weigh 450 grams each: Velocity Wheels

The surly knard 41s that come stock are tough tires but they weigh 650 grams: Wheels | Parts and Accessories | Surly Bikes

A continental foldable gatorskin tire, 700 x 28c, weighs 320 grams: Continental Bicycle -Gatorskin

If my math is right (and the online specs are right), that saves around 2 lbs of revolving weight for a cost of around $400 for wheels and tires:

around $80 for the tires, Amazon.com : Continental GatorSkin DuraSkin Folding Tire, Black, 700 x 32cc : Bike Tires : Sports & Outdoors

around $325 for the wheels, Quality Wheels 700c Rear Wheel - 105 Hub Laced to Black Velocity A23 - 36H in Tree Fort Bikes Wheels (cat113) and
Quality Wheels 700c Front Wheel - 105 Hub Laced to Black Velocity A23 - 32H in Tree Fort Bikes Wheels (cat113)


By the way, what I just described is pretty much what I have. I use a trekking wheelset on my some doublecross with heavyish 700 x 32 c tires and a mavic A719 wheelset. From time to time I swap out these wheels for the velocity A23 wheelset with 700 x 28c contis. The difference is noticeable.

fietsbob

Of course you could spring for a set of Sew up wheels & tires..

no bead at all& the rims can be lighter , since they dont have to keep the air in the tire pressure contained.

chaadster

High quality post!

dynaryder

What tires do you have now? Thinner,folding bead tires will be lighter,but swapping to a smoother tread and better compound will make a bigger difference. If you're currently running cross tires,Schwalbe Marathon Supremes,Vittoria Randonneur Pros(or Hypers,whatever they're calling them now),or Conti GP's will make a world of difference.

simplybao

I'll give you my experience. I had the stock Giant tires on my Giant Escape 1. I swapped them out for Schwalbe marathon Supremes and my bike lost 1.5 lbs. I could tell a difference immediately. I'm not sure if it was the weight or the rolling resistance. I bet it wasn't the weight, perhaps the Schwalbes are a racier tire. It "feels" like I accelerate quicker, but that could be just my head. The tangible difference for me is that I can maintain speed with less effort now than before.

It was a relatively cheap way to try something. I got them on Amazon for ~$100. Schwalbe lists the tire weights on their site so you could remove one tire, weigh it, and then compare to their site.

By the way, I swapped like for like sizing. Both were 700x32.

the sci guy 

Awesome posts - thanks guys.
Here is a direct link to the specs for the green Cross-Check I currently have for those curious what's on it now. The tires are different though - they are Ritchey 700x32. (don't know the exact model) - its just what the LBS put on for the showroom.
Cross-Check | Bikes | Surly Bikes

Can I start out by just switching the tires? A narrower tire will still be ok in those stock rims, yes?

I will definitely look into those rims you posted @bikemig though

fietsbob

questionable indeed .. I wouldn't fit tires narrower than the rim width ... but you have my permission to find out for yourself ..

simplybao

Have a look here: Tire Sizing Systems

And then look up the specs on your wheels and see what size tires you can run.

dynaryder

Shouldn't be an issue as long as you aren't trying for 23's. Check this chart to see what widths you can run.

28 or 32mm slicks will make a noticeable difference,just with the lack of tread alone. Folding beads with performance compound will really help.

the sci guy 

Thanks guys.

Will report back when I make the switch.

Wilfred Laurier

i would just get lighter
and probably narrower tires
with supple casings and no flat protective strip
this will be a quick and cheap change you will immediately notice

i reccomend panaracer pasela 28s
non tourguard version

however
narrow tires will make it more likely
that the rims themselves
will tell you it is time for new wheels

and when your rims are done
then get new wheels
or
if your rims are done but hubs are still smooth
some nicer rims laced up with butted spokes

korbjonathan

i strongly recommend anything that bontrager hard case tires that are on the market right now. i switched and have tried everything under the sun and still would get flats. now running bontrager aw3 foldable tires and runnning 100 psi havent got a flat since (knock on wood)

OldsCOOL

You are on the right track with lighter tires and wheels. Also, get a set of alloy skewers if you dont already have them.

jamescaxton

Ofcourse narrow tyres and rims is a way to go. Anxious to see what you come up with.