bladeswitcher

Didn't know where best to post this question so I'll start here . . .

I have a Caloi Nexa-Cruz that I bought for my kid a few years ago. Basically, it's an aluminum framed cruiser style bike with a Shimano Nexus 7-speed hub. Here's a link with a photo and specs: https://leys.com/basic/aluminum.html


He never rode it much and now he's out of the house so I thought I'd co-op it. Here's what I'm thinking about doing:

1.) replace the 42t front chainring with something smaller and lower the gears. I have a 38T ring that will fit so I thought I'd start there and maybe go smaller later, if necessary
2.) replace the flat bars with something that has a bit more wrap . . . maybe something like a Nitto Albatross (more likely a similar knock-off)
3.) . . . and here's where the question comes in . . . replace the semi-knobby tires with something more street appropriate. What tires would you go with, given the following?:

This bike will see service two places, city streets and the Katy Trail, a rails to trails path of crushed limestone that is pretty much just dusty hardpack.

Looking at the catalogs I was first drawn to the Continental Town and Country tires but the reviews are terrible. I'm now thinking about Schwalbe Marathons. What does the hive think? What's a reasonably fast tire for road and hardpack use that would look appropriate on this bike. If it were yours, what would you do. Also, if you have any thoughts on my other proposed changes, I'd like to hear them.

BlazingPedals

Kenda Kwest and Schwalbe Marathon both come in 26x1.5 and would look good & work well. If you want to stick with 2 inchers, Contental Town and Country looks pretty beefy. You can see all three at BikeTiresDirect.

(Standard disclaimer applies.)

martianone

IMHO-
1. it might be easier & less hassle to get a larger cog to reduce the gearing rather than the chainring
2. take a look at an Origin 8 Space Bar or an On One Mary. My Jamis Commuter 3 came with sort of an odd shaped mustache handlebar, the angle was wrong for my wrists. Switched to the Space Bar, works great and it was the right diameter for shifter and brake levers; I also put some Serfas ergo grips on the Space Bar- further helping my wrists.
3. I'm very biased about this - Schwalbe Marathons are great for the road surfaces you describe.

coldfeet

For that bike, Schwalbe Big Apples. They're comfy, roll nice, good puncture resistance, would suit the look, what's not to like?

Retro Grouch 

I've been using Town and Country's on my beater bike for about 7 or 8 years. It's use is exactly the same as what you describe including Katy trail. To be honest, I think that I bought them because I like the look better than a full slick. I don't know what kind of issues your reviews indicated, but I certainly haven't had any complaints in that time. I like them fine.

dmac49

+ 1 on that. Very comfy. I use them on one of my bikes around town and on the local MUP.

Retro Grouch 

I might try Schwalbe's if my Town and country's ever wear out. At my age, however, that might not happen.

bladeswitcher

Hmmm, I researched for reviews and what I found this morning was actually pretty good. Not sure what I was looking at yesterday. Seems like if there's a complaint (other than using them for what they're not intended), it's that they're prone to flat. There's also a suggestion that quality has dropped since country of origin changed: https://www.mtbr.com/cat/tires-and-wh...89_151crx.aspx

Reviews for the Schwalbe seem universally positive, though.

Retro Grouch 

Interesting. The reason I originally started using them is because, at the time, they had a reputation for being flat resistant. I read at that time they were a common spec on police bikes due to puncture resistance.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm now in the mode of using mostly Continentals on all of my bikes. I'll probably stick with that until Continental finds a way of making me mad. Then I'll switch to something else.

meanwhile

Or ballon sized Schwlabe XRs. More grip off road, but still good on tarmac due to a "non-walking" tread. Or even Schwalbe Extremes, if the price doesn't make you scream - not as fat and bouncy, but fast and trul dual purpose rubber.