jeme

Picked up my new ride today - I did about 10 miles tonight - riding a real bike from a LBS really makes a difference. I can see myself on pure street bike in the future.

Anyway - love everything except the tires - Kenda's Small Block 8's that are 700 x 35.

Can someone recommend another tires - perhaps something smaller and higher pressure?

dynaryder

What kind of riding are you going to be doing? All street,or do you want to ride trails occasionally? What kind of shape are your roads in?

For pure street,Vittoria Randonneurs are some of the best city tires out there. Panaracer T-servs are also nice. Schwalbe Marathon Supremes are the cycling equivalent or sportbike radials,but they are expensive. If you want to do some trail riding,Specialized Infinities have a bit of tread,but still roll well and take like 85psi.

pastorbobnlnh 

Talk to the LBS where you bought the bike. Take a look at the various 700c tires and ask how small you can go with your specific rims.

If you want good flat protection and fast rolling tires, consider Continental Gator Skins. They come in a 700c X 28, a nice size reduction from your 35s. I hit 51mph on mine last June.


https://www.biketiresdirect.com/pcoc3..._(700c)/pp.htm

jeme

Thanks for the replies. So i have about 20 miles on the bike and get home from work early today to go for a longer (for me) ride - heck 3 miles from the house I get a blow out on a piece of glass - long walk home... Bottom line - i wanted new tires before - now I need them...

Thanks for your suggestions.

jeme

About 80% street and a little bit of improved trail riding, roads are in good shape with 3 foot bike paths.

Panthers007

Some good 28C tires are about as small as those wheels can do - and should on a hybrid. Something like Specialized Gatorskins 700 X 28C would be a good option - though expect other suggestions. You'll be flying on those! You could also consider a 28C in the front, and a 35 or 32C rear. Depends on the topography of where you are riding. But those possibilities await.

Enjoy!

awesomejack

uh, don't you want fatter in the front and smaller in the back?

I have a Trek 3.2fx fitted with 32c Schwalbe Smart Sams. IMO, they are a perfect tire for semi-fast road riding and good control on dirt/gravel/trails. It definitely can't take on the heavy trails.

If you want to do anything off road, I would get something bigger than 28c, though, you could try them out and see how they feel.

dynaryder

Specialized Infinities in 32mm would be good.

jeme

Well went for a quick ride last night and ironically got a flat - in fact the rear tire was deeply cust (Kenda small block 8's 700 x 35) so I needed a new tire before I was ready to make my decision - the only thing the LBS had in stock was a Continental Top Contact 700 x 32 - so I am going to give them a try. I was surprised at hom much thicker and stiffer they were compared to the Kenda's.

Wanderer

I think you will like, and feel a big difference with the Conti's.... The Vectran liner is good flat protection, without added weight or slowness, that accompanies many flat resistant tires. What is their pressure rating?

For future thought - should you not like the Top Contacts.......

I really love my Schwalbe Marathon Supremes, but they ain't cheap!

Roll really easy, excellent flat protection, excellent traction, no transition zones, and have a really bright reflex sidewall, the folders are relatively light, also.... They come in a 32-622 ERTO which will probably be 700X30 on the rim..... and are 95PSI tires.. You would probably like them, also.

jeme

Actually I was mistaken - the tires are just contacts - not top contacts - sorry, but did not notice until I picked up tonight. OK - so far so good - did a 20 mile ride tonight and I liked these tires - much less road resistance - they are 85lbs tired - however I do want to try the marathon supremes.

I am wondering if in the marathons I should go with a 700-32 or a 700-35. FYI - I am 260lbs. Thoughts?

Wanderer

At your size, I would consider doing what I did. Either tire would support you and the bike. It all depends on what you are willing to put up with. I would assume that you found the 32s to ride a little more harsh; but also noticed a tad better, and quicker steering. That's a good thing

However, having a larger tire on the back, will help soften the bumps, and be capable of carrying more weight.

I found, thru sheer stupid luck, that a 40 on the rear, and a 35 on the front was just magic - the 40 rides as nice as the OEM 45s on my Crosstrail, and the 35 on the front gives me much better handling, without any sacrifice at all. Keep in mind that the ERTO sizing for these tires is 37-622, and 42-622, but they are labelled at 35X700C and 40X700C. They both measure their labelled size when inflated. How much room do you have in there for different sizes?

For a short time, I had the 35s mounted all the way around, and noticed that it was much more harsh. Mixing sizes, resolved that. Based on the performance of the 35 on the front, I wouldn't be afraid to try a 32 on there. But, the 40 on the rear, makes a big difference. Assuming that the rear will wear much faster than the front, I may get that chance, just buying one 32. If you are happy with a 35 (or even a 32) on the back, you should have no issues. I had both, so had an opportunity to try them both, and made up my mind.

p.s. The Planet Bike Hardcore Hybrid (700) Fenders, fit these tires really well. The 35 tire fits perfectly, and the 40 is just a borderline OK (but keeps the grunge off me and the bike..)

My advice, wear those Contacts out, and if you are happy with them, buy them again, or try the Top Contacts.

If you want to try something else - I don't think you would be disappointed with The Schwalbe Marathon Supremes. (Start now, and watch for a good sale price somewhere, like I did) Not being in a hurry, and not needing them, I found a new set of 40s, for $40 each, and a set of 35s, new, for $25 each. Sooooo, I've got a new matched set of mixmasters waiting in the wings for when I need them.