2travelers

Hi, new to the forums. Like the site so far.
My wife and I both ride Raleigh hybrids...she a C-40 and I a Detour 4.5
I am looking to change out her tires. Currently she rides 700x38. What affect would there be switching to a 700x35 if any. Mostly ride road & packed RailTrails. Also, any suggestions on tires & tubes. Mine are Kenda K-195 Kouriers which I do like but a little harder to find.
Thanks in advance, Joe

giantcfr1

Hi Joe, what's the purpose of wanting to change her tyre? I don't think the 3mm will make any difference in relation to tyres that wide.
If she wants speed and less rolling resistance compared to the 38mm, how about going down to a 32mm Kenda Small Block Eight. A bit expensive maybe, but are a lovely tyre for the road and packed trails.

You may have to check the tubes in her tyre for compatability, as you may have to buy smaller tubes. I'm currently using those tyres with Vittoria Ultralite tubes. Also when you swap, check the quality of her rim tape. They are a major source of punctures. You will know when your punctures are from worn rim tape, the holes will be like a snake bite.

2travelers

Ooops?...did forget to mention I was replacing her tires because they are just simply worn and time for new. I think they may be original. I will also change out old tubes so I could go to 32's. She enjoys road a little more but will still do cinder or hard pack trails so I assume she'd like the 32's.

Igo

If your "hard pack" is relatively stable then 32s would be perfect. If you ride 90% in the road then I'd get relatively high tire pressures, 85psi+. You'll have to use your best judgement when it comes to how aggressive the tread will be. Heavy tread in like riding over large aggregate surfaces. Modest tread is like riding over very smooth roads. If you are riding in gravel, don't ignore tread altogether though for sure.

Bill Kapaun

Just to give an idea of what you CAN do, I switched to 26MM tires (from 35MM) on my 20MM wide rims without issue.
MUCH faster acceleration and MUCH less rolling resistance.

Terrierman

Continental Top Contact 700 x 32. A very good tire for a wide range of conditions and uses. Tubes don't matter to me, whatever is on sale.

Igo

Bill, you were one of the first to give me advice on faster tires. Check this out when you are finished here. Post #27.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...Escape-1/page2

Igo

I've looked hard and long at those Top Contact tires. I've NEVER flatted my 25c Gaterskins on my Defy now I have a set of 23c for my APEX 2.1

AlphaDogg

It's likely that you are accelerating faster because narrower tires generally weigh less than wider tires, which allows the rotational mass to be lower, resulting in faster acceleration.

Bill Kapaun

duh!

Lexi01

I actually doubt you'll notice the difference in 38 to 32...

Before you choose a new tyre check out the technical bit of the Schwalbe website...it'll tell you what size tyres they recommend for different rim widths (ask your LBS or email wheel manufacturer for the inside rim width). I find it pretty handy cos I like to use my hybrid on the road sometimes and I whack on a set of 50mm conti cross tyres and take it on some single track too.

jsdavis

Is that the inner or outer width of the rim?

Bill Kapaun

Inner. Where the rubber meets the rim. Mine are actually 19.5MM from the closest point, but are considered 20's.
Measuring outer doesn't mean too much since rim flange thickness etc. can vary noticeably.
I'd have no problem going as small as a 25MM tire.
For "grins" I mounted a 23MM tire on one of my back up wheels. The rim is VERY SLIGHTLY wider than the tire. Don't think I'd recommend that combination!

jsdavis

Interesting, my rims are 21mm inner width (manufacturer claim) but they only recommend the smallest tire to be 35mm. However, on their website they advertise 27mm rim width which is the outside. Only looking on the little sticker does it say 622x21.

Igo

I have 28c on my 622x19 rims. That is the narrowest tire I could put on those rims supposedly.

2travelers

Thanks for all your replies. After doing some searching I ended up buying a set of Nashbar Comfort tires for her on sale for just under $20 for the two. Couldn't beat the price. They are 700x38's but as the reviews stated run a bit smaller and are about 32. Treat seams good for hardback trail and center for road. Have them mounted and ready to go tomorrow so we'll see how she likes them. For the price, could not go wrong.
thanks again.

giantcfr1

Have fun out there.

PatrickGSR94

Some people like that kind of thing