Wanderer

What is everyone using for tires on their Hybrid?

Mine came with Specialized Burrough XP Sport Pro's - 700X45 - These things averaged a flat every 2.5 days, or about 1 every 150 miles....

I switched to Schwalbe Marathon Supremes 700X40 - and fell in love with them

I got another set of Supremes 700X35, for a really good price, so started playing around with "options."

I currently run the 35 on the front, and the 40 in the rear, and absolutely love this combination - narrower front is quicker and more nimble steering, while the wider one in the back helps with load capacity and smoother ride.

Best thing about this combo - I have another set just like them for when I need to reshoe this critter.

Second best thing - my patch kit has sunk to the bottom of my trunk, and the glue is drying up - as it hasn't been used since last September....

Absolutely awesome tires for this Hybrid....

Bat22

Fat Franks for commuting. Nothing but fun.

baldsue

I was going to get some Marathon Supremes but I needed new tires before they were available so I got some Continental Sport Contact and Continental Gatorskins. Originally I thought I would be a Schwalbe fan but I've turned into a Continental fan because they were available and I have fallen in love with them.

Panthers007

Rivendell Ruffy Tuffy. These are rated as 700 X 27C tires (they are 29C on my bike), and made for Rivendell by Panaracer in Japan. They have a 2mm Kevlar-belt. Their Rol-y Poly tires are identical and lighter - but lack the Kevlar-belt. Both tires are fast and nimble, yet grab road and dirt equally as well.

Wanderer

There are several things that I really like about the Schwalbe Marathon Supremes - spin up easily, they roll really well, the wrap around tread means no transitions when changing lean angles, the flat protection has served me extremely well, excellent traction in the wet and when leaned over, good grip when on the brakes, very bright reflex sidewall strip, ride very smooth, the tread pattern is deeper than it looks on their website... On an 18mm rim, they actually measure their marked size - go figure!

At about $50 a tire, they seem expensive. But considering I was fixing 3 flats a week, they are a really good buy - for me.... I have not flatted once in about 9 months. They have some cuts in the rubber, but nothing has ever gotten thru them.

As I said before, the mix of sizes was an eye opener for me. I really liked the 40s after riding the 45s that were OEM on my Specialized Crosstrail. Then switched to the 35s, which seemed quite a bit more harsh riding. However, the handling was much improved over the 45s, and the 40s.

While trying out the 35s, I was in the process of switching back to the 40s, and still had the 35 on the front. The handling was just as quick and precise, and the snoother ride returned with just the 40 in the back. These tires rode much better than the OEMs.

Having the mix of sizes, and keeping both pressures at 85 PSI, gives me about the same deflection, as they carry much different weights, given the front/rear weight bias.

They are wearing much better than I thought they would - but, I'm usually easy on brakes, and no powerhouse when taking off ---- LOL. They have several thousand miles on them now, and are still in very good condition.

The only negative, is a slight singing when at speed (above 15 MPH.) This is not obnoxious, but it is there, just enough to know they are there. It also got better (more quiet) with mileage. (or I just don't hear it any longer.)

I'd buy another set without hesitation - wait a minute, I already did....... (but, I'll keep watching the sales, because they aren't cheap)

alicestrong

I have the Nashbar comfort/road 700cX38, on sale at $9.99...

rumrunn6

Specialized All Condition (the smooth ones) Armadillos 700 x 28 at 120 psi! Oh yeah!

I just had to make sure I used really thick cloth rim tape. It only took 3 tubes to figure that out ... yeesh what an amateur, huh?