Suza

Thanks . . . . and the picture is great! I miss that area, but Pismo isn't anything like it was when I lived there. I love Oregon . . . . don't have to go far to beach, mountains, desert; lots of opportunities for biking, hiking and fantastic scenery. . . . . "don't go telling people" If you ever plan to come up this way I can tell you some awesome places to ride - Waldo Lake is a must as well as the area around Bend.


So you ride off road with 1.5" tires? What condition are the trails? We do ride some rocky/rooty, but easy single tracks on my current 45mm (1.75") hybrid tires. I'm not so worried about weight; my new Rockhopper, even with the suspension, is about 5# lighter than my current bike. But good to know there are ways to lighten up. Changing out my heavy tread 2.1/2.3 tires would make a difference, I'm sure. My son says he starts by taking some of the water out of his hydration pack - a pint=1#. Ok if you have access to refills. I'll have to see how the bike handles off-road vs pavement and find a happy medium between trail agility, smooth rolling on pavement and ride comfort. Speed is not an issue - I don't like riding fast!

gorillimo

So you ride off road with 1.5" tires? What condition are the trails? We do ride some rocky/rooty, but easy single tracks on my current 45mm (1.75") hybrid tires. I'm not so worried about weight; my new Rockhopper, even with the suspension, is about 5# lighter than my current bike. But good to know there are ways to lighten up[/QUOTE]
Hardpack trails. I let a little air out. They’re still bigger then what I usd to run on my cycle crosser. And I rode a lot of local trails on it! Just be mindful. I do take it easy on trails. Got two replacement knees that I don’t want to crash on! It wouldn’t be a good outcome. Next set of tires I might try something different after reading this article from Grant Peterson. https://www.rivbike.com/pages/truths-about-tires

Doug64

I found this on Ebay a few years ago; brand new and still in the original box, 1993, Trek 820. Replaced Original tires with 26 x 1.25 slicks.

restlessswind

Any 26" beach cruiser tire will work. The fat tires are much more comfortable on our rough roads. I bought some Sunlite (Kenda) 26x 2.125" at NiagaraCycle for $15 ea. You can even get them in colors.

But a semi-slick is great (smooth in the center, but knobby on the edges) just in case she want's to make that tempting turn (that a road bike dares not to go!)

Suza

Hardpack trails. I let a little air out. They’re still bigger then what I usd to run on my cycle crosser. And I rode a lot of local trails on it! Just be mindful. I do take it easy on trails. Got two replacement knees that I don’t want to crash on! It wouldn’t be a good outcome. Next set of tires I might try something different after reading this article from Grant Peterson. https://www.rivbike.com/pages/truths-about-tires[/QUOTE]



Would you mind sharing what particular 1.5" tire. I am going to give the Rockhopper 2.1/2.3 tires a chance, but might want a narrower (and lighter) tire with less tread, but still capable of venturing off-road, especially for longer pavement rides.


Oops! I scrolled down and see your post with a close-up pic of the Nashbar tire you have on your Rockhopper. Looks like your RH is a 26. Now they are 29. I guess that makes a difference on how well it rolls, but does make the bike heavier.


Reading some reviews online, I hear good things about the Specialized Fast Track. I might take a look at it.


Thanks