Should I Replace Knobbies with Road Tires? Which Ones?
 

I use my bike just as a grocery getter and errand runner. Usually only 8-10 miles round trip but I could use it for some limited commuting...22-24 miles Round Trip. Right now I am riding a Schwinn Sierra I got for $40 with a rack that I have a milk carton bungeed to. I am fairly happy with it but I was sondering if it was worth it to put road tires on it. The rims are 26" by 1.75 and the tires I believe are old Kenda Knobbies that are 26 by 1.95 inches.

So given that the bike was only $40 does it make sense to spend $80 for road tires? I'm relatively re-discovering bicycling for pratical purposes. I really don't think I'll get much into real mountain biking or road riding.

You will notice a difference going from knobbies to slicks, which is what I do it with my old mountain bikes. If you don't want to invest $80 in tires, then spend less. I have read good things about the $16 Forte tires, but I haven't used them myself.

Forté Gotham ST Road and Mountain Tires

You can always wear the knobbies out, then replace them with slicks, but they are worth converting.

Less rolling resistance with road tires.
Jon

I recommend wearing out your current tires first then getting something along the lines of the Forte Gothams, recommended above.


EDIT: I take it back. They are not the same tire. Similar, but not quite the same tread pattern.

Forte Gotham /= Maxxis Overdrive
https://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-264-overdrive

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...53b2d1b9df.jpg

If you ride mainly paved roads a road tire will make a huge difference vs knobbies.

I've been running Specialized Fatboy 26"x1.25" slicks on my Marin mountain bike(rigid) since the late '90s. They are very smooth rolling and fast (at 80psi). The Flack Jacket protection works great against punctures. Great when its dry but not so good in rain or gravel.

If you're looking for more comfort go with a wider tire (1.75") with a tread. Don't go too cheap as they tend to be heavier and more prone to punctures.

I commute 15 mi each way on my road converted MTB with Bontrager H2 road tires. 26-1.75. It keeps a lot of the mtb characteristics but lowers the drag and knob vibration to an almost impercievable level. A light coating of armor built in is a plus for sure.

I've been considering changing out the 700 x 42c that I have on my city runner.

I'd get this tire in a 700 x 38c size. I like the more aggressive tread as opposed to slicks.

https://www.parkavebike.com/product/...t-273641-1.htm

I made the switch and
 

After I switched out my combo knobbie tires to the full street tire... I went from 11 mph for 10 miles avg speed to 14 mph for 15 miles avg speed. So in my case... I ride farther and faster with this tire
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/vittoria-street-runner-26-inch-tire?sesgl=1
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I also went with new tubes. Cornering traction also improved. No flats yet but the road I ride on gets swept every few days.

My dramatic speed improvement may be the new shoes effect but they are smoother and quieter and lighter andore comfortable ... Well what's not to love? The price is decent too so I feel like it was worth it. I've been able to keep up with some of the slower roadies now once in a while on my citified mtb.

buy the tires! you'll ride more often! totally worth it!

Thanks for all the info! Those first tires look like a good cheap tire for my good cheap bike!

Next question: Should I automatically get tubes or just use the old ones?

Use the old ones if they still hold air and fit.

If cost is your only consideration , maybe walmart has non knobby tires..
Kenda , otherwise is a brand of a company with slick enough tire ,
bike factories buy thousands, to have tires on their bikes,

I have a couple bike trailers with smaller ones . they're adequate.


generally, your 40 dollar bike is transportation, Right?

Wal-Mart does have tires of your description,, I bought some $20.00 a piece,, the width was right but I felt they were too soft,, felt like I was riding on a underinflated tire,,,, shopped around got some from Niagara special $19.00 each much better,,,, small nobbies,,

Yes, definitely, that's what I did on my MTB commuter bike and it helped a lot with vibration, deflection, and resistance. The tires also lasted me a looong time. Just keep in mind that you might have to spend money on new tubes as well.

Run the tires you have now until they're done and then switch to a road tire (cheap) with new tubes and enjoy the difference. Those semi-knobbies you're running now won't wear well on just pavement anyway and they'll be done before you know it. That's my 2 centavos worth. Good luck.

Thanks again guys! Just wondering, how long will these Kenda Knobbies last on just pavement? And yeah, I just use it to run errands so I can save gas and work in some cardio at the same time.

I hated knobby tires on my old MTBs because of the noise and vibration. I don't ride off road these days so prefer using tires with less aggressive tread. I used to buy tires from Niagara Cycle but they are out of business. The Kenda K838 were only $15 not including shipping but you can get them on eBay for $19 with free shipping these days
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-one-Kenda...vNSL:rk:9:pf:0 or $35 a pair https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kenda-K838-...gAAOSwFSRbj9ns If your tires show any sign of cracking or sidewall crazing it is worth the price to replace them. I just got in a Giant Yukon bike to refurbish for one of my Scouts and noticed the tires were cracking. This is the tire I will recommend to replace the knobbies on it now.

Nice I'll put them on my Christmas list. I'm really hard to shop for since I never need anything so that will give my family something to get me.

Now that's thinking. They'll enjoy knowing that you're actually using the gifts they buy too. As far as wear, a set of knobbies that came with my last bike lasted less than 6 months when I was putting a mix of trail (haul roads) and pavement and I was only putting around 50miles a week on them. I threw the rear because it looked like a racing slick, but I kept the front for an emergency spare. It just takes up space and I really should throw it too since I'll never use it.

bought a really old used bike for $50 cpl yrs ago & put $48.95 each tires on it. made all the difference! :D

Just curious--old Schwinn or from this century? Useful $40 bike is a win! The rationality of upgrades is completely unrelated to the original purchase price--you just have to ask yourself if the ride improves enough to justify the expense of the upgrade. Better tires usually meet that test.

These^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^.!!!! In a 38c. Maybe 35c. But for gosh saks, don't get slicks.