I recently bought a half decent mountain bike that was at the right price for me. (By half decent I mean little more than top end of bottom end, if you see what I mean. It is nothing special) I only commute the ten mile round trip to work and back on it, with the occasional 25 mile ish trip on days off. As a general rule, I do very little off road stuff, so the chunky tyres are no more than a drain on my stamina.
What I would like to know is this: I know that I can buy smoother tyres that are better for road use, but what kind of difference would they make? Will I notice any change?
"Brian Robertson" <brian@[nospam].com> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
What I would like to know is this: I know that I can buy smoother tyres that are better for road use, but what kind of difference would they make? Will I notice any change?
There will certainly be a reduction in the effort needed to maintain your current speeds. You'll also freewheel further when you stop pedalling.
What I would like to know is this: I know that I can buy smoother tyres that are better for road use, but what kind of difference would they make? Will I notice any change?
Yes, in a word. When I put the slicks on my MTB it's like a different bike.
What I would like to know is this: I know that I can buy smoother tyres that are better for road use, but what kind of difference would they make? Will I notice any change?
I put road tyres on my mountain bike to do a bit of cycle camping, and help me on my commute. The difference on my commute (about 13 miles) is about 5-10%.
Off road there is a downside, but not enough that I'd ever bother changing back to chunky tyres, unless it was for a big mission. I can still keep up with friend on chunky tyres, even if I do slide around a bit more than them.
In article <[email hidden]>, Brian Robertson brian@[nospam].com says...
Quoted message said:
I recently bought a half decent mountain bike that was at the right price for me. (By half decent I mean little more than top end of bottom end, if you see what I mean. It is nothing special) I only commute the ten mile round trip to work and back on it, with the occasional 25 mile ish trip on days off. As a general rule, I do very little off road stuff, so the chunky tyres are no more than a drain on my stamina.
What I would like to know is this: I know that I can buy smoother tyres that are better for road use, but what kind of difference would they make? Will I notice any change?
I used to do a short city commute on a rigid ATB that sometimes had large knobbly tyres on it and sometimes had narrow slicks - the slicks were noticeably faster, and felt more secure on smooth fast corners, but the knobblies felt better on the heavily potholed back streets, gritty surfaces, bumping kerbs, so I suppose it depends on the sort of roads you're riding on. Sticking slicks on an ATB makes quite a lot less difference than switching to a road bike, because the lower weight and nimbler handling of a road bike tends to compensate for the reduced grip and cushioning of narrow high-pressure tyres. If your ATB has suspension then there will probably be less difference in both feel and speed between tyre types.
I recently bought a half decent mountain bike that was at the right price for me. (By half decent I mean little more than top end of bottom end, if you see what I mean. It is nothing special) I only commute the ten mile round trip to work and back on it, with the occasional 25 mile ish trip on days off. As a general rule, I do very little off road stuff, so the chunky tyres are no more than a drain on my stamina.
What I would like to know is this: I know that I can buy smoother tyres that are better for road use, but what kind of difference would they make? Will I notice any change?
Brian.
Thanks for the replies, people. I think you have talked me into it!
In article <[email hidden]>, Brian Robertson brian@[nospam].com says...
Quoted message said:
I recently bought a half decent mountain bike that was at the right price for me. (By half decent I mean little more than top end of bottom end, if you see what I mean. It is nothing special) I only commute the ten mile round trip to work and back on it, with the occasional 25 mile ish trip on days off. As a general rule, I do very little off road stuff, so the chunky tyres are no more than a drain on my stamina.
What I would like to know is this: I know that I can buy smoother tyres that are better for road use, but what kind of difference would they make? Will I notice any change?
I used to do a short city commute on a rigid ATB that sometimes had large knobbly tyres on it and sometimes had narrow slicks - the slicks were noticeably faster, and felt more secure on smooth fast corners, but the knobblies felt better on the heavily potholed back streets, gritty surfaces, bumping kerbs, so I suppose it depends on the sort of roads you're riding on. Sticking slicks on an ATB makes quite a lot less difference than switching to a road bike, because the lower weight and nimbler handling of a road bike tends to compensate for the reduced grip and cushioning of narrow high-pressure tyres. If your ATB has suspension then there will probably be less difference in both feel and speed between tyre types.
A road bike would be the more sensible option, but I saw a deal that I liked and went for it. A supposedly £400 Muddy Fox bike with £100 of kit for £250. I take the advertised prices with a pinch of salt, but I still think I got a good deal. Never see road bikes advertised like that, to my knowledge.
Slightly off topic, it attracts a lot of attention from the local scum. I won't use the Manchester Cycleway again in a hurry. I could hear the gangs I encountered discussing my bike before I had even got level with them. How they could recognise it from many yards away, I don't know. All I do know is that I use three locks to tie it up, even at work.
On Sun, 07 Oct 2007 11:47:06 GMT, Brian Robertson <brian@[nospam].com>
Quoted message said:
Slightly off topic, it attracts a lot of attention from the local scum. I won't use the Manchester Cycleway again in a hurry. I could hear the gangs I encountered discussing my bike before I had even got level with them. How they could recognise it from many yards away, I don't know. All I do know is that I use three locks to tie it up, even at work.
Are they toughened steel? If not, bin them and buy decent d-locks. Also consider locking skewers for the wheels, seatpost and forks/handlebars as well - they're only about £15 from Edinburgh Bike Co-op.
I recently bought a half decent mountain bike that was at the right price for me. (By half decent I mean little more than top end of bottom end, if you see what I mean. It is nothing special) I only commute the ten mile round trip to work and back on it, with the occasional 25 mile ish trip on days off. As a general rule, I do very little off road stuff, so the chunky tyres are no more than a drain on my stamina. What I would like to know is this: I know that I can buy smoother tyres that are better for road use, but what kind of difference would they make? Will I notice any change?
Brian.
Thanks for the replies, people. I think you have talked me into it!
One thing, assuming you are trying to maintain comfort of fatter tyres...
The rims on the MTB will, in all probability, be quite wide to fit circa 2in section off-road tyres. If after comfort, don't drop the section of the smooth tyre too much.
Schwalbe make some quite big section tyres with decently low rolling resistance.
I recently bought a half decent mountain bike that was at the right price for me. (By half decent I mean little more than top end of bottom end, if you see what I mean. It is nothing special) I only commute the ten mile round trip to work and back on it, with the occasional 25 mile ish trip on days off. As a general rule, I do very little off road stuff, so the chunky tyres are no more than a drain on my stamina.
What I would like to know is this: I know that I can buy smoother tyres that are better for road use, but what kind of difference would they make? Will I notice any change?
Very substantial - about 5% increase in speed or about 10% decrease in effort. High pressure slick tyres make a huge difference to a mountain bike on the road. You will definitely notice it.
-- [email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/ ;; Generally Not Used ;; Except by Middle Aged Computer Scientists
I recently bought a half decent mountain bike that was at the right price for me. (By half decent I mean little more than top end of bottom end, if you see what I mean. It is nothing special) I only commute the ten mile round trip to work and back on it, with the occasional 25 mile ish trip on days off. As a general rule, I do very little off road stuff, so the chunky tyres are no more than a drain on my stamina.
What I would like to know is this: I know that I can buy smoother tyres that are better for road use, but what kind of difference would they make? Will I notice any change?
Very substantial - about 5% increase in speed or about 10% decrease in effort. High pressure slick tyres make a huge difference to a mountain bike on the road. You will definitely notice it.
And you'll find slicks corner better on tarmac. -- Cheers, Mark
On Sun, 07 Oct 2007 11:47:06 GMT, Brian Robertson <brian@[nospam].com>
Quoted message said:
Slightly off topic, it attracts a lot of attention from the local scum. I won't use the Manchester Cycleway again in a hurry. I could hear the gangs I encountered discussing my bike before I had even got level with them. How they could recognise it from many yards away, I don't know. All I do know is that I use three locks to tie it up, even at work.
Are they toughened steel? If not, bin them and buy decent d-locks. Also consider locking skewers for the wheels, seatpost and forks/handlebars as well - they're only about £15 from Edinburgh Bike Co-op.
One is toughened steer and another is an average d-lock. The last is just a cheap thing from Aldi. I use that just to secure the front wheel to the frame. I didn't know about locking skewers. That is interesting. Thanks!
I recently bought a half decent mountain bike that was at the right price for me. (By half decent I mean little more than top end of bottom end, if you see what I mean. It is nothing special) I only commute the ten mile round trip to work and back on it, with the occasional 25 mile ish trip on days off. As a general rule, I do very little off road stuff, so the chunky tyres are no more than a drain on my stamina.
What I would like to know is this: I know that I can buy smoother tyres that are better for road use, but what kind of difference would they make? Will I notice any change?
Very substantial - about 5% increase in speed or about 10% decrease in effort. High pressure slick tyres make a huge difference to a mountain bike on the road. You will definitely notice it.
And you'll find slicks corner better on tarmac.
That's true! I bet there is a big difference. By the way, what sort of pressure should I have them at on the road?
That's true! I bet there is a big difference. By the way, what sort of pressure should I have them at on the road?
Tyres normally have an air pressure range embossed onto the side of them. I normally aim for about the middle of that range when pumping them up. From experience I can tell when my tyres need topping up, but until you can, you should regularly check the pressure. (even if it is only with your thumb).
In article <[email hidden]>, Brian Robertson brian@[nospam].com says...
Quoted message said:
That's true! I bet there is a big difference. By the way, what sort of pressure should I have them at on the road?
Depends on your weight, the tyre and whether it's front or rear. Use a pump with a gauge and start with the tyre's rated maximum on the rear, a bit less on the front, then reduce the pressure a bit if the ride is too hard.
In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...
Quoted message said:
in message <[email hidden]>, Brian Robertson ('brian@[nospam].com'😉 wrote:
> I recently bought a half decent mountain bike that was at the right > price for me. (By half decent I mean little more than top end of > bottom end, if you see what I mean. It is nothing special) I only > commute the ten mile round trip to work and back on it, with the > occasional 25 mile ish trip on days off. As a general rule, I do > very little off road stuff, so the chunky tyres are no more than a > drain on my stamina. What I would like to know is this: I know that I > can buy smoother > tyres that are better for road use, but what kind of difference > would they make? Will I notice any change? Very substantial - about 5% increase in speed or about 10% decrease in effort. High pressure slick tyres make a huge difference to a mountain bike on the road. You will definitely notice it.
And you'll find slicks corner better on tarmac.
That's true! I bet there is a big difference. By the way, what sort of pressure should I have them at on the road?
Depends on your weight, the section of the tyre, the construction of the tyre, riding style, road surface.....
Sheldon has a decent enough starting point for experimentation, with suggested pressures:
What I would like to know is this: I know that I can buy smoother tyres that are better for road use, but what kind of difference would they make? Will I notice any change?
Much quieter than knobblies, too. I've always thought that coasting downhill in virtual (mechanical) silence (thanks to the advent of silent free-hubs) was one of the little joys of cycling 🙂 PS: for <any> off-road use I'd want some tread on the front tyre at least: I once tried a semi-slick on the front of my MTB on wet grass - never again 🙁
I recently bought a half decent mountain bike that was at the right price for me. (By half decent I mean little more than top end of bottom end, if you see what I mean. It is nothing special) I only commute the ten mile round trip to work and back on it, with the occasional 25 mile ish trip on days off. As a general rule, I do very little off road stuff, so the chunky tyres are no more than a drain on my stamina.
What I would like to know is this: I know that I can buy smoother tyres that are better for road use, but what kind of difference would they make? Will I notice any change?
Brian.
Did my first fun run on an MTB fitted with Michelin XCR Road tyres yesterday (pumped to 100psi). Past many racers on the way, in fact - the difference between that and a racer was quite small. A lot less than I was expecting. I'd recommend a set without hesitation - make sure you get a track pump to get them up to a high pressure though, else the benefit wont be as great.
Did my first fun run on an MTB fitted with Michelin XCR Road tyres yesterday (pumped to 100psi). Past many racers on the way, in fact - the difference between that and a racer was quite small. A lot less than I was expecting.
I'm faster on my MTB with slicks than I am on my commuting bike - a Raleigh Randonneur drop-bar tourer from when they were still made in England! In loaded commuting trim it does weigh about 45lbs though...
Mind you, many "racers" aren't all they're cracked up to be - I crossed a road onto a cycle-path ahead of one the other day (he was on the road) and thought "He'll be past shortly." Then I forgot about him until I heard sounds of heavy breathing about half a mile later - he was standing on the pedals on really a very gentle slope that I just whizzed up without bothering to drop a cog or any speed. He passed me as I slowed to turn into the industrial estate.
I recently bought a half decent mountain bike that was at the right price for me. (By half decent I mean little more than top end of bottom end, if you see what I mean. It is nothing special) I only commute the ten mile round trip to work and back on it, with the occasional 25 mile ish trip on days off. As a general rule, I do very little off road stuff, so the chunky tyres are no more than a drain on my stamina. What I would like to know is this: I know that I can buy smoother tyres that are better for road use, but what kind of difference would they make? Will I notice any change?
I reckon that with the same effort there is a 2/3 gear difference.
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Thanks for the replies, people. I think you have talked me into it!
One thing, assuming you are trying to maintain comfort of fatter tyres...
The rims on the MTB will, in all probability, be quite wide to fit circa 2in section off-road tyres. If after comfort, don't drop the section of the smooth tyre too much.
The rims will most likely be narrow enough to fit Panaracer Paselas which are nominally 1.25 inch (32mm) but have an inflated width of 29mm.
