tigershell339

I'm trying to learn more about cycling and am looking to do some trail riding, in addition to riding on streets and paved paths that i do now. I currently have a hybrid bike 700x40c tires (specs here) and I'm trying to find out how I can go about putting mountain bike tires on it.

My questions are if it is possible to get a second set of rims to be able to swap out and if that is the easiest/best solution? Will what about gears on the back wheel? What is the best way to handle that?

Thanks in advance

old and new

I read you. Without going point by point, let it suffice to say that the trail riding that I imagine you doing doesn't warrant a full-blown mountain bike per say. Your bike will handle a not so kind trail. The gearing is low enough and aquiring additional wheels isn't neccessary as far as I can see. They can cost quite a bit. Your tires seem plenty wide though if you feel the need to change them, simply put more knarly tires on the wheels you now have. Again, the bike has wide tires now so look at the treads on these tires.. www.nashbar.com .. www.perforemance.com .. www.biketiresdirect.com
NOT saying to buy from these places per say.. your LBS has tires as well.. The ones I liked at Nashbar were the Kenda Kross Pluss ..700 X 40.. for example.

JonathanGennick 

I concur w/"old and new". Give your current tires a try. They may work just fine for what you're planning to ride.

And if you really are riding a rough enough trail -- rocks, roots, sand, mud, steep hills -- so as to need new tires, then you may be pushing your bike beyond it's intended use. For just a gravel trail though, or for a relatively smooth dirt trail, your current tires should be fine.

DieselDan

Try cyclocross tires. MTB tires tend to be 26"/559mm, and hybrid tires 700c/622mm.

Retro Grouch 

1. If you want to do real mountain biking, only a real mountain bike is going to do.

2. If you're talking about relatively mild trails, 700 x 40c is more than adequate and I wouldn't even worry about having a real knobby tread. You'll be fine.

3. A wider tire probably isn't going to fit anyway. Potential places to worry about are chain stay clearance near the bottom bracket, front derailleur clearance, and fork crown clearance. I'd want to test fit the tires before I spent any money.

Bianchigirll 

Hello your intending to ride rail trails and dirt roads? your current tires should be fine. my mountain bike was built with 700c wheels and had 700x45 knobby tires. while it is a great MTB I found I did more errand and rail trail riding so I got some 'slick' 700x32 tires that handle the dirt rail paths great but handle well on the road. nice looking bike, don't worry too much about the tires and hit the rail trails!!

PaulRivers

I was going to pretty much write this.