AJ35

I have a 2012 Roam 1 hybrid bike(700x40 tires) and I am looking to change the stock tires to a low rolling resistance/faster tire with some puncture resistance if possible. I will be riding paved roads 100% of the time with no load. I am averaging around 100+ miles a week on city roads (endurance riding).

I currently weigh 215 pounds and have been losing around a pound a week (currently dieting).

I was thinking about running a 700x32 in the rear and a 700x28 upfront. Would this be okay?

These are the tires I was considering:

- Schwalbe Marathon Supreme
- Continental GatorSkin
- Panaracer T-SERV PT
- Conti. Contact Reflex

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

(Current rim size: 622x19)

Seattle Forrest

I'd go with something skinnier, if all your riding will be on paved roads.

Gatorskins feel pretty mediocre (in terms of ride quality), and I wouldn't recommend them. I haven't used the others in your list.

Yo Spiff

That will be more than sufficient. I'm close to your weight and riding 700x25's on a road bike.

Hikezilla

Is there a tire FAQ around anywhere that I could download and read?

jethro56 

The only thing I'd be concerned about is the rim width on the front. Chances are it's fine however measuring the interior width is a good idea making that big of change. Towards the bottom of the page of this link ia a table with rim versus tire width. https://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html The 25cm Gatorskins I'm running on the front were a big improvement over the super cheap tires that came with my roadbike but many people agree with Seattle Forrest. I do have a Conti. 4000 S I'm going to put on the front soon to compare I just wanted to try a Gatorskin first.

peckma

i'm about your weight and use 700x25 fore and aft without problem. tried 700x23 and flatted out every week. Use Conti GP4000 as well w/o complaint.

Seattle Forrest

I'm sure there must be ... but the differences between tires are things like how they feel when you ride over them, how difficult it is to flat them (eg do they let stuff through to puncture your tubes w/o a fight), how well do they grip the road in turns and while you break, etc. This is subjective stuff, and depends on your road conditions. Reading about tires won't really give you a feel for them, and they're too expensive to buy a new set every time you want to experiment.

It's probably better to get a recommendation for tires that are well suited to the type of riding you do. When you wear them out, try something else that's also recommended. It's a slower way to learn, but I think it's more likely to get you on a pair you like.

chasm54

Your weight is absolutely not an issue, I rode for years at c.220lbs on 23mm tyres and never ever had a pinch flat. Those who do simply aren't inflating their tyres to a high enough pressure. I typically ran (and still run) about 120psi rear and 100-110 front.

The issue is simply which tyres will fit your rims. Check that out and install the narrowest possible, would be my advice.

Seve

Of those listed I would go with the Schwalbe Marathon Supreme.

There is also a Schwalbe Marathon Racer Tire which might also interest you.
https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_ti...thon_racer_429

By dropping from 40 to 28 on the front you will be giving up a huge amount of ride comfort on city streets. Even going from 40 to 32 you will notice a difference. I have a city bike with 700x32 and a road bike with 700x23.

If it was me making the choice, I would strike a balance and not go below 32 on both the front and the back. I don't think you gain anything other than a slight weight loss by putting a thinner tire on the front vs the rear and will only have a harsher ride. That's just my opinion and others may well prove me to be wrong.

Base on what you posted [600x19] you rims will safely accommodate a tire width of 28-44.

stevel610 

https://www.rivbike.com/kb_results.asp?ID=57

The Truth About Tires
The biggest, best bargain in bicycles is air in the tires, yet for the last twenty years or so there's been a heinous trend toward tires with lower and lower volumes. This is bad because these skinny tires need to be pumped up to outrageous pressures like 110 to 145 psi just to protect the tubes from pinch flats and the rims from flat spots. Such high pressure tires roll fast on smooth roads, but as soon as the road turns slightly rough or slightly wet, they're uncomfortable and slippery.
The whole idea of hard skinnies is speed, but it doesn't work that way. Speed comes from fitness, not hard & skinny tires.
It's better to ride on higher volume tires that can be ridden at lower, more comfortable, and grippier pressures.
(This write up is from Rivendell Bike Works, not me)

Slowhead

Having the proper tire pressure for your weight/bike has a lot to do with rolling resistence. A lighter weight 32mm will be a big difference and you will still enjoy some comfort. I did the skinny tire thing and it wasn't for me. Both my bikes (road&tour) have Panaracer T Serv folding 32's.

recumbenttoad

I have been using Michelin City tires (700x32) and like them quite a bit. I asked the shop today if they still carried them in stock because I was going to get the model with the reflective sidewall when I needed new tires. I was told that they are now pushing the Schwalbe Marathon tires since that is what the manager rides and he likes them a lot. I'm sure they are great tires, but they are more than twice the cost of the Michelins and I don't feel that I need to spend the extra cash.

Bill Kapaun

I've put 26MM tires on my 20MM rims and love them!
I'm about 240 (winter weight)

For "grins, I mounted a 23MM tire to a 20MM rim to see what it'd look like-
IMG_0165.jpg
IMG_0168.JPG

10 Wheels

Go with 28's...you will be happy.

Panaracer T-SERV PT on Sale

https://www.westernbikeworks.com/prod...-t-serv-protex

Sayre Kulp 

I ride 700x23 Gatorskins and I love 'em. Of course, YMMV, but it's an honest opinion.

Mtbnomore

700x28 Gatorskins would be my recommendation. Unless you live in a town with great roads, 23c is too narrow IMO.

gyozadude

I ride 700x28 (actually iso 28 x 622) that measure 28.5mm by Michelin some times and no issues. I typically ride true 32 x 622 tires half the time, and fat 1.95 slicks the rest of the time. The 28C tires work fine for me at 280lbs. In fact, I've tried some brands that run skinny - market 28c but actually 25mm wide. And I've ridden Michelin 25 x 622 (700 x 25c) tires at 26mm wide and they work fine as well.

You really need to test the tires, inflate and measure width at different locations. And if you're looking for lower rolling resistance, width is only one component. If you want reduced resistance, look for a supple casing design with thinner walls and rounder walls. If you go with a puncture resistant sidewall type tire, it will ride harsh and slow you down. Get a supple, thin casing with higher TPI, and you'll find the ride much more pleasant. For example, many Kenda and ChenShenTires (CST) are designed around a super thick rubber side wall. It ensures reliability despite manufacturing inconsistencies, and they are inexpensive. But they ride like lead weights compared to some great Vittorias or Michelins or Conti's. But it doesn't mean cheap tires can't be nice. Some of the best semi-slick MTB/hybrid tires are the Nashbar City tires in 26x1.5 with their fine 66tpi casings. I've compared them to CST, Kenda, Vee Rubber, and others in their price range and the overall profile and rolling resistance are just unbelievable for the price. So discount tires aren't always high rolling resistance types. And while Michelin's Dynamic Sport tires have rubber that's easily cut, and only 30tpi, the casing profiles are round and not straight/stiff. As a result, they roll nicely for sub $15 tires.

Seattle Forrest

Riv opinions are pretty bland, and need a grain of salt ... the size of Texas.

AJ35

Thanks to everyone who replied to my question. I am going to go with the Schwalbe Marathon Supreme. Im still a little torn on whether I should go with the 700x28 or 700x32. Does anyone know if any online store have these tires on sale? The cheapest I found them were on Amazon. Also, I need to buy new tubes. Is there a particular brand I should be looking at? Sorry for the newb questions, I am a new rider only been riding a few months.

Wolfwerx

I am a (mostly) Amazon shopper for bike goods, but if you have a LBS that you like nearby, buy your tubes (and other "consumables") from them. Usually works out to be the same price (or close enough, really) as Amazon.

The benefits to this are that you are a)supporting a local business and b)putting in "face time" at the LBS. One day you will need some service or good from a real shop, rather than online, and it is nice to know whether or not the shop is a trustworthy place, reasonably priced, etc. Also, it's nice to be able to "talk bikes" with people that are into it, too.

Wolfwerx

Oh, and I like Avenir tubes. About half the places around me sell that brand, and it's just as good as anything else I've tried.

billyymc

SF - can you explain that a little more? I've been really happy riding on Gatorskins, so I'm not likely to switch anytime soon (although I have some 32mm Conti City Rides on right nwo cause the roads have been really crappy since last fall here). What do you mean by ride quality, and what do the Gatorskins lack specifically that another (similarly puncture proof) tire might have?

Thanks.

Seve

I would recommend going to your nearest LBS and pick the tubes up there. Savings, if any, on price versus other options will be minuscule.

If that is not an option, then any correct size standard butyl offering from Continental, Schwable, Vittoria, Avenir, Specialized etc. should be fine.

AJ35

Anyone have any recommendations for a light aftermarket wheel set that I can use with disc brakes? I looked on the Mavic website but there isnt any wheels that can accommodate both disc brakes and a 28mm tire.

Bill Kapaun

Are you changing your wheels to save weight?
If you are only doing it because of new tires, yours should be fine.