Hey guys, just been trollin this site for a week now so i guess i'll introduce myself. I'm Ian, i just got into biking last summer with my first bike a GF wingra. Riding my hybrid has REALLY got me hooked. I was doing about 50 miles a week 30+ of those on the weekend and all i can say is DAMN it gets me good gas mileage Biking has kinda saved me in a sense and moved my back rehab along as well as helped me with pain. I went through 2 major back surgeries last spring and i feel pretty good about myself now and i think riding my bike has a lot to do with how fast i've recovered.

Anyways i'm thinking about doing ragbrai this year and using my hybrid to do it. Any suggestions tire wise for a 450 mile trip? currently it has 32cc tires and i think thats too big.

Otherwise i have clips on my pedals now and i'll probably go clipless right away this year as well as getting some better grips i think is not too bad of an idea. SOOO any other ideas for such a long haul will help this unexperienced biker out and i'd appreciate it.


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32 is a good tire size.

I have pedaled 36,000 miles with toe clips-No Straps-No Problems.
Riding has helped my back.
Keep it going.

Welcome and thanks for joining.

welcome!!! i am from iowa as well. if i were you i would run 700x25s or 27s if they fit the rims better. i rode RAGBRAI last year on 23s (at 180lbs) with no issues and no flats.

Thanks! i'll try them without the straps for awhile and see if my opinion changes about them.

Nice to know, I'm probably about 185 right now but i've been doing a lot of cardio along with diet and hope to drop down to ATLEAST 170 by spring and even less by ragbrai so I think i'll give 25's a try. Is there a specific tire type/brand i should look for, best for price wise?

I don't know much about fitment but will any 700c tire fit a Matrix 750 rim? I believe that's what the rims are on the bike.

whatever is on sale. a tire that was $50 that is on sale for $30 is generally a better tire than one what was originally $30. it seems like every manufacture offers everything from junk to race worthy. what is your budget?

i could probably afford anywhere close to 30-40 a tire. I noticed they are on sale a lot of places right now as well.