Help selecting new tires
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 194
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From: Reykjavík
Bikes: Trek Crossrip 2 2017, Cube Cruve Pro 2015 and Berlín Dutch Bike 3 speed 2014
Help selecting new tires
I need new tires on my commuter bike Cube Cruve Pro.
I currently run the stock ones Schwalbe Smart Sam 700x42 and I almost made the rear tire bald.
I'm thinking about getting smaller tires preferably 35mm but I don't know what I want.
I need something the has a good grip in the wet, high puncture protection and handles some gravel as I occasionally do some gravel on my commutes.
Any suggestions?
I currently run the stock ones Schwalbe Smart Sam 700x42 and I almost made the rear tire bald.
I'm thinking about getting smaller tires preferably 35mm but I don't know what I want.
I need something the has a good grip in the wet, high puncture protection and handles some gravel as I occasionally do some gravel on my commutes.
Any suggestions?
#2
Nigel
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,991
Likes: 7
From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: 1980s and 1990s steel: CyclePro, Nishiki, Schwinn, SR, Trek........
Schwalbe makes some great tires.
That said, I run Kenda Kwest K193 with thorn resistant tubes on my Trek 720; 28-622 in front, 35-622 on the rear, Velocity Dyad rims front and rear. They are okay on a bit of gravel, for more extensive gravel, I'd probably go 38-622 on the front leaving the rear as is.
That said, I run Kenda Kwest K193 with thorn resistant tubes on my Trek 720; 28-622 in front, 35-622 on the rear, Velocity Dyad rims front and rear. They are okay on a bit of gravel, for more extensive gravel, I'd probably go 38-622 on the front leaving the rear as is.
#3
Mostly harmless ™
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,462
Likes: 243
From: Novi Sad
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
Puncture protection:
Do you ride in thorn rich area, or you just want to minimize a chance of getting a flat?
If the first option - Schwalbe Marathon.
If 2nd, then any tyre that allows you to hold your weight at 4 bar pressure is very puncture resistant - won't give enough pressure to glass and sharp rocks to puncture. No need to get heavy tyres with puncture resistant belts.
Good universal tyre is Continental Contact II in 622-37 dimension. Not too heavy, not too slow, decent grip for gravel, comfortable ride. And they have some puncture resistant belt that is not too heavy or hard to make them ride like rocks.
Kenda Kwest offer very good grip in the wet, are half the price of Contis, but rather harsh ride in comparison.
Do you ride in thorn rich area, or you just want to minimize a chance of getting a flat?
If the first option - Schwalbe Marathon.
If 2nd, then any tyre that allows you to hold your weight at 4 bar pressure is very puncture resistant - won't give enough pressure to glass and sharp rocks to puncture. No need to get heavy tyres with puncture resistant belts.
Good universal tyre is Continental Contact II in 622-37 dimension. Not too heavy, not too slow, decent grip for gravel, comfortable ride. And they have some puncture resistant belt that is not too heavy or hard to make them ride like rocks.

Kenda Kwest offer very good grip in the wet, are half the price of Contis, but rather harsh ride in comparison.
#5
Keepin it Wheel




Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 5,197
From: San Diego
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Any of the Schwalbe Marathons will be able to handle some amount of gravel/trail. I have Supreme 700x50 on my CrossCheck.
If you want a little more in terms of traction I'd recommend looking at maybe Schwalbe Hurricane.
If you want a little more in terms of traction I'd recommend looking at maybe Schwalbe Hurricane.
#6
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 194
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From: Reykjavík
Bikes: Trek Crossrip 2 2017, Cube Cruve Pro 2015 and Berlín Dutch Bike 3 speed 2014
Well theirs all kinds of junk on bike patch where I live cause the city only cleans them twice a year.
I think I'm going to order some Schwalbe Marathon Supreme.
I think I'm going to order some Schwalbe Marathon Supreme.
#7
I really like Schwalbe Almotion in 700x40. The casing is based on motorcycle tyre technology, supposed to lower the rolling resistance by changing orientation of casing laminates (I don't have any idea what Schwalbe is claiming, I note they make motorcycle tyres).
It's my only pair of 40mm/600gm road tyres so I can't make a valid A/B comparison to other heavy/fat road tyres. Having said that, they riding really smooth and roll forever. They're a little too slow for club based gravel grinding but for commuting and recreational riding they're all I ride.
(My other wheelset has 32mm Paselas and I am starting to really dislike riding them esp after cruising on the luxurious 40mms.)
I've been riding them ~1.5 yr with no flats, ~2000 miles. Colorado with goatheads, lots of road shoulder glass and super abrasive feldspar sand. Freaking bullet proof.
It's my only pair of 40mm/600gm road tyres so I can't make a valid A/B comparison to other heavy/fat road tyres. Having said that, they riding really smooth and roll forever. They're a little too slow for club based gravel grinding but for commuting and recreational riding they're all I ride.
(My other wheelset has 32mm Paselas and I am starting to really dislike riding them esp after cruising on the luxurious 40mms.)
I've been riding them ~1.5 yr with no flats, ~2000 miles. Colorado with goatheads, lots of road shoulder glass and super abrasive feldspar sand. Freaking bullet proof.
Last edited by Mr IGH; 09-01-16 at 09:27 AM.
#8
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,123
Likes: 6,340
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Vittoria Voyager Hyper
lowest in rolling resistance
puncture protection
reflective strip
comfortable ride
lowest in rolling resistance
puncture protection
reflective strip
comfortable ride
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
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