Originally Posted by
canklecat
I've been very satisfied with the Conti SpeedRides on my hybridized mountain bike for all around pedaling. And Michelin Protek Cross Max on my errand bike.
But after seeing a friend's gravel grinder fitted with some fat new shoes -- Schwalbe Big Ones -- I'm having tire envy. Balloon tires with just enough tread where needed, not enough to slow ya down, and weigh less than 500 gm each. Rolling resistance is supposedly the lowest of any mountain bike type tire.
I keep looking at my Univega Via Carisma trying to figure out how to make the Big Ones fit. Front, no problem. Rear, the front derail cable clamp bolt would get in the way. I'd need a different bolt, derailer, or switch to a double instead of triple chain ring.
Or do a 1x setup. I have a 1x6(?) on my commuter bike, and when it's loaded down, there are only a handful of times that I wish I had a lower gear. It's 42t up front. All I did was pull the big ring off, get the chain line about right, and then use single speed chainring bolts to firm it all up.