tire question/ opinion
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 34
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From: roundrock tx
Bikes: surly ogre/ karate monkey
tire question/ opinion
i have a specialized sirrus 2010 model, if i want to commute to my new job i would need to go through a crushed granite mup trail which is about 6 1/2 miles roundtrip plus about 6 miles of regular road riding. i was looking at the small block eight by kenda in 700x35c but thought i would get your opinions on a good all around tire.
thanks for any and all opinions and help it is appreciated
thanks for any and all opinions and help it is appreciated
#2
Nigel
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,991
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From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: 1980s and 1990s steel: CyclePro, Nishiki, Schwinn, SR, Trek........
looks a little aggressive. Sorry, I don't know what 'mup" is.
You want your front tire to be a bit more aggressive for the crushed granite, so the Small Block Eight would probably work well; maybe even a bit too aggressive. A 700x32 might be a better compromise, size wise.
For the back something less aggressive, narrow and higher pressure will work better, for example the Kwick Trax in a 700x28
You want your front tire to be a bit more aggressive for the crushed granite, so the Small Block Eight would probably work well; maybe even a bit too aggressive. A 700x32 might be a better compromise, size wise.
For the back something less aggressive, narrow and higher pressure will work better, for example the Kwick Trax in a 700x28
#3
Mad bike riding scientist




Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Denver, CO
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
i have a specialized sirrus 2010 model, if i want to commute to my new job i would need to go through a crushed granite mup trail which is about 6 1/2 miles roundtrip plus about 6 miles of regular road riding. i was looking at the small block eight by kenda in 700x35c but thought i would get your opinions on a good all around tire.
thanks for any and all opinions and help it is appreciated
thanks for any and all opinions and help it is appreciated
nfmisso: MUP = multiuser path. AKA bike path or rail trail.
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Stuart Black
Dreamin' of Bemidji Down the Mississippi (in part)
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#4
Señior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
I ride 4 miles of gravel road each way to and from work, and I'm happy with 32s. I'm currently running Marathons (not Plus or Supreme) and in the past have run Race Lites, Kwests, and Panaracers. They've all been fine, except when the gravel road is recently graded at which time there are rocks from pea up to about golf ball sized loosely covering the road. During those times riding that road truly sucks and probably would with anything short of very wide MTB tires. I don't think a crushed rock MUP would be that bad ever.
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#5
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Columbus, OH
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
I rode ~15 miles of loose gravel forest service road on 32mm Pasela TGs during a 300k brevet last summer. A crushed stone path should be no problem for just about any 32mm tire. Definitely no need for something as aggro as the SB8, especially since you're doing a fair amount on the pavement.
If you want something with some extra cornering lugs and a nice ride on the paved parts of your commute, check out the Conti Travel Contact in a 37mm.
If you want something with some extra cornering lugs and a nice ride on the paved parts of your commute, check out the Conti Travel Contact in a 37mm.
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#6
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Edmonton, Canada
Check your clearance first. I'm not sure with the 2010 model, but a friend of mine owns an older Sirrus and can't fit fenders with her winter tires (which I think are 700x32, though I'm not 100% certain). 700x35 with knobs may not be very functional.
If the crush is fine and well packed, I would worry less about the tires size and profile, and more about keeping mud and gravel out of your face. Last summer, I did a loaded tour of PEI, spending a couple hundred kms carrying heavy loads on a crushed gravel trail. My 700x32 slicks gave me no problem.
Also, look into flat resistance.
If the crush is fine and well packed, I would worry less about the tires size and profile, and more about keeping mud and gravel out of your face. Last summer, I did a loaded tour of PEI, spending a couple hundred kms carrying heavy loads on a crushed gravel trail. My 700x32 slicks gave me no problem.
Also, look into flat resistance.
Last edited by neil; 03-28-11 at 09:21 AM.
#7
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: roundrock tx
Bikes: surly ogre/ karate monkey
thanks
thank you all for taking the time to answer, i am going to look into the different options you guys suggested. i will give it a run with the tires i have now which are the smooth road type tires it came with and see how that goes. i just wasnt sure if they would take to the gravel well as far as the puncture resistance. if i have problems i will surely change them out later on. thanks again for the helpfull replys.
#8
Nigel
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,991
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From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: 1980s and 1990s steel: CyclePro, Nishiki, Schwinn, SR, Trek........
See also: https://sheldonbrown.com/tires.html
especially the section about 3/4 of the way down "Mixing & Matching"
especially the section about 3/4 of the way down "Mixing & Matching"





