converting from all terrain tyres to road tyres

dannyjebb

Hi guys I have a touring bike which I use daily to cycle to work (10 miles each way) and at the moment the tyres have quite a thick tread which no doubt slows me down on the roads with the extra grip. Was wondering if anyone knows if its possible to simply go out and buy some road tyres and swap them over? Or would I need to buy new wheels to?

Many thanks

neilmcl

What size rims do you have? You can get slick or semi-slick tyres for MTB rims or if you have 700C road wheels then even better.

Have a look at the tyre sections on http://www.wiggle.co.uk/

or http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/bike-components-bike-parts/bike-tyres-tubes

brigittejohn

Whilst it is quite easy to put any tyre you like (no need to change the wheel as far as I know),
I don't recommend changing the tyre to a "road" tyre as you will get many more flat tyres. If the hassle of regular flat tyres is worth the faster speed to you, then fine of course.

chorlton

There will be a minimum width that will fit on your rims - but if you get some slick tyres and keep them pumped up hard you will be amazed at the difference it makes.
Puncture resistant is the way to go - look at Schwalbe Marathon Plus/Continental Gatorskin/Specialized Armadillo - i have gatorskins and have only had one puncture since i fitted them 3 years ago.

Hintza

Not being a cyclist I might be talking nonsense but here goes:-

Worth having two stets of wheels and tyres? One for off-road and one for on road depending on what you are doing at the time? Or would getting another bike be an option?

DKLS

Hintza wrote: »

Worth having two stets of wheels and tyres? One for off-road and one for on road depending on what you are doing at the time? Or would getting another bike be an option?

Thats what I do, a mate was upgrading his wheels, so he gave me his old set which I had fitted a set of slick road tyres, which gives much better grip on the roads especially when cornering at speed.