help convert my bikes for commuting
 

hi Guys I have a


2013 specialized allez compact and a
2017 Trek Marlin 6 mountain bike(29er tire)


both are very entry level and very stock.


I want to start commuting 8 miles to work.


I want tires for both that roll freely (Im a big guy) but will be fairly resistant to punctures.


Can you guys help with recommendations?


thanks

a follow up question is -would a 700c tire fit on a 29er rim?


for the mtb, Its super slow with the stock tires and I REALLY want something that would be more road oriented and quicker.

sorry,


yet another question.


do I have to change the tubes to a smaller inner tube if I go from a 29er tire (29x2.2)
to a smaller tire?


thanks

Well, first, what sort of roads will you be commuting on? How much "stuff" will you need to carry?

Road bikes can make good commuters, but it's important to recognize their limitations (i.e., usually limited tire clearance and usually limited ability to "carry stuff"). For instance, my commute is through good smooth roads in quiet suburbia, I drive in civilian clothes once a week, and about the only thing I need to carry is my wallet, keys and lunch. I just use a tiny backpack and use my road bike.

If I was commuting into the city and dealing with traffic, potholes, etc. -- I'd be looking at something else.

You could commute with either bike for eight miles, though I'd opt for the Allez. You wouldn't need any work converting it to a commuter. Just pack your things in a backpack and off you go.

If you plan to ride in wet weather as well you might want to get some fenders to protect the bike as well as yourself from the spray.

If you don't like to carry a back pack then a rack and panniers is a good idea.

If you commute in the dark, then lights, both front and back, are a must. Even if you don't commute in the dark, lights are still a good idea. I run them during broad daylight as well.

That's about it.

I don't believe your 700c tires will fit a 29er rim. Something about bead not fitting.

thanks for the replies guys.


Im in Dallas TX so mostly good roads .


where I work the dress code is casual and there is a gym right next door where I can shower so I don't anticipate having to lug a lot. Im thinking just a back pack should suffice.


I have no plans to ride in wet conditions right now but that may change in the future.


I do like the idea of commuting on the mountain bike because its more comfortable and more rugged for my weight and I can go on the curbs a little bit easier so I would still like a recommendation for a free rolling 29er tire.

https://blobs.continental-tires.com/...ct-ct-p-01.png
https://blobs.continental-tires.com/...t-ct-s1-01.png
I recommend the Continental Travel Contacts, 622-42 or 622-50 sizes should work. Conti tires run a bit narrow when mounted.
I have rolled several sets of these tires in 700c and 26X2.0 sizes.
Very satisfied.

http://www.continental-tires.com/bic...travel-contact

Schwalbe AllMotion, Big Bens, Big Apples, Supremes, are all very nice tires w/ lower rolling resistance and good grip as well.

thank you much. Im assuming this is for the road bike (700cc)


will I need a bigger inner tube?


thanks


thanks

Schwalbe Big Apple? Don't have them myself, but I often hear them recommended.

Why wouldn't a fattish road tire fit the OPs 29er rims? I thought the rim diameter was the same (622)? Meaning +50mm wide tire, like the aforementioned Big Apple, not skinny road tires.

Quick Google search shows Maxxis also offers a couple options, specifically aimed to 29ers, the Grifter and Torch.

ETA: On the tubes topic, I recently switched to skinnier tires but didn't change my tubes (so currently running 35-40mm tubes on 27mm tires) and besides a little hassle mounting them, no problems so far.

I was thinking of your 29'er mtn bike with these tires.
Your current 29'er tubes may very well work with these tires as well as your current knobbies may fall in the 1.75" - 2.0" range. If not, easy to replace at same time.

Yes you will need a different tube for smaller (narrower) tires on the 29" rim.

Maybe.
Original specs on that bike are 2.2" front, 2.0" rear (50mm).
Tire sizes I recommended are 42 and 50mm, Conti's. May very well work fine.
Schwalbe tires I listed all run wide as well.
May not be that big of a difference.

I would take the road bike, depending whether you need fenders. You can take a backpack for your stuff.

Tires are a tradeoff between stiffness (bad), weight (not as bad), toughness (good), and price.

I happen to have these, they ride nice and are on deep discount https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYVIVO...r-folding-tyre and I just bought a set of Schwalbe Kojaks for my tandem. Schwalbe Marathons or other brand equivalent would be tougher I'm sure. They are thick and heavy but the added thickness is made of flexible latex to keep it from making the tire too stiff.

This site is worth a read. Ride quality and rolling resistance tend to go together. But he doesn't claim to predict anything about traction or wear.
http://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/tour-reviews

8 miles? doesn't really matter what tires you use, just do it. run down to your local bike shop, see what they have in stock & have them mounted up. go ride! :-)

Yes, you are quite right. Quick search proved so. Good to know for my own, actually, as it opens up an option for me to get a set of 29er disc wheels for my cx.

Bead seat diameter is the same (622 mm) for both 700C and 29er. Actual bead design is close enough. They'll interchange just fine unless extremes in width gets in the way.

For the typical sub $200 factory wheel set it's a good bet, but past that, it diverges. The MTB rims are likely to be wider and tubeless, the hubs are likely to be thru axle, not QR.
See for example http://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/st...24_-1___205022

I doubt a 42mm-wide tire would fit in the frame/fork of an Allez. Just guessing, but I'm guessing for your road bike you would max out your clearance at 25 or 28mm.

Yes, I would recommend smaller (skinnier) tubes for the road bike tires than the 29er tires.

Rim diameters are the same (700 vs 29), so the same tires will fit on both, it's a question of clearance for width.

Out of curiosity, why would you prefer the road bike?


:) big difference in mph re road bike compared to mountain bike. riding a route around my house on my road bike, I can average about 13mph with stops etc. on the mountain bike its about 9 mph, ouch. Im hoping better tires on the mountain bike pick me up to closer to the road bike.


thanks. you are right. I don't think there is enough clearance.
but great to know I can put 700 tires on the 29er wheel. that opens up a world of options.

let me bug you guys some more.


I was just looking at the hybrid/urban bikes from specialized and they come with 700x30 or 700x32 tires, so I think if I fit those on my mountain bike Id be good to go.


BUT BUT BUT


my LBS will take back my mountain bike and exchange it for a hybrid bike.


other than the road oriented tires, is there any other advantage that a hybrid bike like the specialized cirrus would have over a mountain bike?

You answered your own question:

MTB and Hybrids both offer more upright seating than a road bike. Some commuters see that as an advantage, because it's easier to monitor your surroundings for traffic. Some see it as a disadvantage because they are exercising/racing as hard as they can and want the max aero benefit of drop bars.

thanks for all the feedback guys. I went to my LBS and my salesperson recommended a 700x38c tire. ended up with inexpensive bontrager h2 tires.

I put them on but didnt get a chance to do the route. just rode a little and it is definitely faster. I wont be surprised if I can get close to the road bike times.

Dang just read through the whole thread and was going to recommend 40mm vittoria voyager hypers when I saw you already got tires haha.

Honestly for next time...excellent tires. I just swapped them out for 25mm gp4000iis tires, which are sort of the go to tire for fast riding roadies. Honestly...I'm looking at switching back to the 40mm voyagers until I get a proper road bike. The performance difference is pretty negligeable, and the benefits of running 40mm tires at 55psi are enormous if you're not giving up significant speed.

happy trailz! :thumb:

If I do this right, I will have many miles of commuting ahead of me. I'll probably get to try them in the future.


thank you :)