Cruiser Tire Advice/thoughts
 

Hello all. Having a problem here and thought I'd see if anyone has any thoughts on it.

First, I ride my cruiser (3g Isla Vista) like a road bike, 17-20+ and anywhere from 30-100 miles. Please, save the comments about moving to a road bike, I love riding this cruiser and I ride it everywhere.

Just replaced my rear tire from a Kenda K1008A-003 (flame tread) 26x2.125 to a Duro 26x2.125 (don't see a stock number on sidewall). The Kendas are no longer stocked by my bike guy at the local swap meet so I picked up the Duro by another vendor. I don't particularly care for the flame tires at my age, but they proved to be a great tire. 5,000 miles, very few flats and $9 each!

Problem- the Duro seat of the pants feel is way slower/difficult/soft to ride. Not sure if it's mental or real, but it seems to roll along with much more resistance. I ride this bike about 2500 miles a year so I think I have a pretty good feel for speed and effort.

I ran the Kendas at 50+ psi (sidewall shows 40 psi max) and am running the Duro at 60 psi (sidewall shows 50 psi max) and it still feels sluggish and soft. Over time I found the Kendas could handle over inflation, (built darn well for a $9 tire!), not sure about the Duro yet so 10 psi over on a new tire seems reasonable but not sure how well they're made and how high I can push it, some tires seem to hold up well, some don't. I weigh in at just under 210 lbs.

Any thoughts? Are there any stats on rolling resistance and tire brands? I assumed most cruiser tires would be the same but this Duro feels really squishy and slow.


Thanks for your time!

I hear ya on putting in big miles on a bike that aint "proper" for long rides. :)

Are you riding only on pavement? If so I recommend 100% pure slick tires for improved grip and less rolling resistance. Treads are noisey and vibrate anyway. A high TPI count and supple sidewall will give you the ride you are looking for, but you'll pay for it. Totally worth it to me because the ride quality and experience are too important to me to cut corners.

Take a look at these and see what best suits your budget and weight requirements. None are cheap though.

Schwalbe "Kojak" 26 x 2.0 available in wire or folding bead, 70psi "max" Personal experience = excellent.

Freedom "Thick Slick" 26 x 2.0 available in wire or folding bead. 65psi "max" Personal experience = excellent.

Bontrager "Hank" 26 x 2.200 Wire bead only. 65 psi "max" Haven't tried these (yet) but the reviews are great and it's looks great too.

Kojak HS 385 | Schwalbe North America

Freedom Bicycle » ThickSlick

Bontrager: Hank (Model #02856)

It's my understanding that Hanks are flat-magnets. Shame, b/c they look so hott. That's all internet-anecdotal stuff, though....a friend of mine just got a se of Hank; I'll wait n see how his fare.

I'm about to buy some 2.0" Kojaks for my next fast-ish 26" bike.

But, if you want a fast-rolling, long-wearing, flat-resisting, most-surfaces cruiser tire, get yerself a set of Fat Franks. Been running mine 4 seasons a year for over 3 years, skidding, romping, stomping, and generally carrying on. Love'm. (But I'm probably due for new ones; I'm trying to tough it out on them thru this winter....)

PS- I've heard some good things about the Freedom Thick Slicks... might try them eventually, but I'm a confirmed Schwalbe junkie... who sometimes dabbles in low-buck Kendas....

+1. My wife has them on her Ped E Go. Expensive compared to the $12 cruiser tires I buy but it's probably worth it for your mileage.

Thanks for all your input.

Thanks Squid for the different brands, I'm a bit nervous about running pure slicks, since you highly recommend them I might have to warm up to the idea! Even though a tread slows you down a bit, I'm not sure how thick those no tread slicks are. I've pulled several items out of the tread of the Kendas that might flat the slicks. Those Hanks look sweet but I did see reviews that said they flatted like crazy like surreal found. If I find them cheap enough I might try them. Yes, pavement riding almost exclusively though every now and then I'll jump down on the sand and do some beach riding.Coastal Cruise- WHB-Laguna Bch-Laguna Canyon-Shady Canyon-Backbay-WHB - A bike ride in Huntington Beach, California


Surreal- those Fat Franks are really nice and might fit the bill. Price-wise they're steep but I'm finding I ride the cruiser everywhere so as GP pointed out I've been thinking the same, step up and get some nicer shoes for it however that's still 3x the price of my swap meet tires!

I'm a bit baffled on why the Duro is feeling so sluggish, I assumed a higher PSI rated tire and in general a slick (with grooves) would perform better than the Kenda flame tires. Even at the overinflated pressure they still feel squishy, maybe the rubber compound is different.

I've been running my Franks for 3 years. Had 2 flats on them, the whole time. This is my daily-driver/commuter bike. So, yeah, I think the extra $20- $25/tire will pay for itself once you factor in tubes, patch kits, and headaches.... plus, they're just so nice.... look nice, ride nice, last nice.

I'm likely to get my next pair of Franks from Niagara, at $34 each. Toss a few other items in, and you'll hit the $100 needed for free shipping....

The TPI of the cords in the casing has a big effect on rolling resistance. Most low end tires are 27TPI. Some racing tires are 300+. There are large tires available with 66TPI.

A thick tread or more rubber on the sidewalls will affect RR.

The Panaracer Pasela is/was available in a 26x1.75. That may not look fat enough on a cruiser for some peoples' tastes but it was a skinwall with 66 or 127TPI. I am not sure which TPI the big 26s got but in the road sizes the kevlar flat proof ones got the finer TPI.

I ride a 43lb steel 7 speed cruiser 2500 - 3500 miles/year, and have done so for years. I weigh about 70lbs more than you. Hand built 36spoke, 32mm wide, double wall wheels, 13ga single butted spokes on the rear. Schwalbe Big Ben or Big Apple 26 x 2.15 (54mm actual) on the rear, 26 x 2.0 (47mm actual) on the front with tire liners.
I read your concerns and questions, here's what I've found, particularly concerning speed, that quick, nippy, nimble feel, versus the floating carpet, soft ride that drags like you're in shallow mud:
1) The rear tire is more important than the front with the upright ride!
2) Schwalbe makes 2 versions of 26" cruiser tires, one of which is called Performance Line & costs more. This is what you need. Trust me, I've tried every 2" wide & larger Big Apple & Big Ben - get the Performance line. I would never consider a Fat Frank for your use.
3) Measure tire width, what it says is normally incorrect. This is why for you I suggest a Big Ben or Big Apple 26 x 2.0 for the rear- they measure 47mm wide which is 1.85" wide. I use one on the rear of a 30lb Trek comfort bike with a narrower tire on the front & it works great at 48+ psi. I use Mr. Tuffy Ultralight tire liners with this set up with no nasty drag or clubby feel.

At your weight I'd suggest the Big Ben #11100556 (1 oz heavier due to thicker tread, you're gonna wear it down anyway). The Big Apple #11100298 is here.
I know it's more money, but I'm heavy & I know they work. On my heavier cruiser I use the wider on the rear because I'm so fat, but the 2" on the front gives no problems.
The Schwalbe 26 x 2.35" in every version feels worse than what I use now, I still have one bike with a Big Apple fatty on the rear and will go narrower when it's replacement time.
Be aware that the Big Apple & Ben have about a 1/4" sidewall reflective strip.
Each of the tires I've suggested are factory rated to support you AND your bike.

You are welcome. The rubber of the rolling surface of the slick is just as thick as a treaded tire, it just doesnt have grooves molded in. It is the groove on a treaded tire where the rubber is the thinnest. Those grooves are also just begging to catch and hold debris. Thats where I used to get flats. I dont get flats anymore. One in the eight years I've lived here. Before that in So Cal... I can't even remember one. Seriously. Maybe I'm lucky, maybe I'm careful, (I do watch where I am rolling) dunno. *shrug*

Slicks work fantastic on hard pack wet beach sand. The dry lumpy stuff is a big no-no though.

Slicks work well in almost all situations except very technical terrain. Then you'd have a set of knobbies to tackle it.

Thanks for all of your input guys.
[MENTION=30319]gar[/MENTION]agesaleGt, I thought there was something that would affect it, number of cords makes sense. Do manufacturers state how many generally? I haven't noticed it yet.
[MENTION=234566]1FJEF[/MENTION], those Big Apples and Big Bens look really nice and pretty amazing if they roll nicely with that low of pressure. Looks-wise would like to stay above 2.0", (they're cruisers not hybrids right?!).
[MENTION=30483]Squid[/MENTION] good to know they work on sand, can't resist jumping off the road once in a while. I've got a mtn. bike if I want to do anything more than that!

Good stuff to chew on and looking forward to picking something up. A sincere thank you to those that have responded so far.

TPI = Threads Per Inch.

Be sure to compare weights too. You'll be surprised at the variations. :eek:

If the manufacturer isn't listing the TPI, chances are, it's b/c they're running an unimpressive number.

Big Apples and Big Bens come in sizes over 2", so no worries there. The Performance Line weighs a bit less, and has the "Endurance" compound instead of the standard compound. I've found that the Standard Compound in the Franks is extremely long-wearing; if the "Endurance" is significantly better, I'd be amazed. Still, less rotational weight in the tires is a good thing.

At your weight you would use a 26 x 2.0 (47mm actual) on the front, NO larger. It's what I have on mine & it looks "right". If I were you and wanted speed I would put the same on the rear, perhaps a Big Ben rear & Big Apple front.
If you feel you have to go larger I'd go to the 26 x 2.15 (54mm actual) on the rear only, just like my bike. My suggestion, with money being tight is to purchase a Big Ben 26 x 2.0 and try it on the rear for looks, then move it to the front if you think it's too small.
My crank set is out & the bike is dusty, but I'll see if I can post a picture later so you can see the way the tires look on a bike. It has fenders, so a wimpy skinny tire would really show up

2" doesn't look small to me. Front basket, lock & lights removed for clarity.

Big Ben 2" front- Big Apple 2.15" rear

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...20Views/5c.jpg



Front Fender set to clear pea gravel

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...20Views/11.jpg



Note thinner tread blocks on rear Big Apple 2.15" (54mm actual)

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...8d9fe652c9.jpg



Front close-up. Thicker tread blocks (That's a 1 1/4" 32mm tire in the background by the way)

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...3abc137b2c.jpg

There's no standard place to report TPI. You just have to look at the ads and manufacturers' websites.

There's also the amount of rubber on the sidewall and tread to consider. Some tires only have enough rubber on the sidewalls to stick the cords of the ply together. Those are called skinwalls. I had some 2.0" skinwall slicks but the tread was so thick I didn't find they felt like they were low resistance.

Tragically, for me, this tire has been discontinued. It was a UK boutique trials tire that never caught on well enough. I tried and tried to find some leftover stock somewhere, but no go.

26 x 2.35, skin wall, 100% pure sex slick. My dream tire. And it wasn't very heavy either.

http://www.tribalzine.com/IMG/jpg/stanbike10.jpg
http://www.tribalzine.com/IMG/jpg/stanbike3.jpg

I had some cst cyclops that were 2.35 iirc. Looked boss but Heavy as can be. What did those tru all s weigh?

CST Cyclops are nominally 2.4". They are a famously heavyweight tire. Those Try-All tires look supremely hott.

The company went belly up, so I can't find official numbers. I found a few claims ranging from 550g to 650g to 1050g. But I can't even find much discussion about them on any Trials forums, here in the US or in Europe.

They are sheer poetry, aint they? I found ONE at a Trials only supplier in Germany. Still digging. :)

You tried super-motos yet? I preferred the other tread-style, the older one, but they still have gotta be pretty rad.

Super-motos?

Schwalbes. 26 or 29x2.35". Schwalbe's go-fast balloon tire offering....
Super Moto HS 430 | Schwalbe North America

Now, they have a Big Apple style tread, but the old ones looked hotter...

Tread = http://forum.blu-ray.com/images/smil...thumbsdown.gif

Hey, some ppl LIKE tread! (Horses for courses and all that, too.)

I know, I know. Notice my emoticon has a sad face, not a mad face. 'We' thought there was a new fat slick that we's never found before.

Understandable....

I just wish Schwalbe'd do the Kojak in a 2.35 or 2.5" version. I think I could let the whole slick thing go, if they dd that.

It's great this information is kept here as I was able to go back and review everyone's input after purchasing a different tire (price point again). Really don't like it, getting too many flats (Bontrager- Solana). Great looking tire but it seems to pick up EVERYTHING and now after just a few months (Aug/Sept) I have several large splices where the tube is poking out so it's basically done.

Got a big 108 miler ride coming up in mid April so I pulled the trigger on a new Schwalbe Big Ben. $50 ouch, but hopefully it'll work well for my use. Going with the 2.3" as I have a hard time with 2.1" even though they looked pretty good on 1FJEF's photos. If I like it perhaps I'll go with the thinner version on the front and maybe thinner all around at some point but not yet.

Interesting, no LBS stocked it nor could they get one from their dist. so I had to order direct from Schwalbe.
Thanks again gents.

Mounted the tire last week, went for an 85 miler last Saturday in preparation for the big 108 miler middle of this month. Had about 4800 feet of climbing as well. This tire feels really good. It's not going to feel super light (it's a 40 lb bike with fatt-ish tires) but it rolls along really well. If tire punctures are kept to a minimum I'll be very happy with it.

Glad I went with the 2.35" as it's slightly skinnier than the Solana's 2.30" but still fills the frame nicely. Not fired up about the reflective stripe around it, but I do a fair amount of night riding so it's probably a lot safer. I saw on here somewhere where someone was able to peel it off so if it really bothers me I'll look that up.

At speed there's a slight hum from the tire but not loud like a mtn. bike. Really only hear it when there's no traffic and at higher speeds.

The sidewall is fairly thin/flexible, at first it didn't want to seat but not a problem with a little finessing.

Thanks again for all of your suggestions.