Bike tyres, general advice on bike

Rolandtheroadie

Decided to get the old bike back on the road in an effort to lose a bit of weight.
Done a bit of searching, read a bit, looked at electric bikes (7 mile each way commute, very hilly for an amateur/slightly overweight/unfit etc beginner).

So electric bike. Nah, too much cash, only any use when i'm struggling with the hills, hopefully in a few weeks they wont be an issue.
New bike. Not very MSE, probably never used the one I have more than 10 times in all the years I've had it.

So tyres. Will they really make a big difference compared to the knobbly ones on it just now?

Thinking these (first ones I've seen really)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bronx-Slick-Sport-Mountain-Bike-Road-Tyre-26-x1-95-x2-/310304432414?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item483f95e11e

The bikes a shed, if I get into it, I can look at replacing it in a couple of months for something more suited to me.

Just think the tyres is the cheapest option to get started.

Thoughts anyone?

KillerWatt

Highly unlikely the tyres are going to make any difference to what you are using it for, but it did make me smile when you said you were looking at an electrically assisted treader because you wanted to get fit.

Rolandtheroadie

The electric bike idea was because right now, I'm not fit enough to do it. Some assistance uphill would have been a big benefit.

lisyloo

There's a very simple and cheap answer.
Get off the bike and walk up the hills until your fit enough to do them.
Maybe do a bit more each day.

Yorkie1

Assuming riding on the road, I would say that you would notice the difference between fully knobbly m.bike tyres and those tyres. I would however suggest you consider ensuring they are as puncture proof as possible, you can get liners or filler to help with this I think.

missile

Road tyres offer much less resistance than knoblies, but if your bike has knobblies sounds like it is an off road mountain bike? A light weight road bike will be a lot easier to ride. You can get a decent bike pretty cheap or maybe look out for a second hand bike.

thescouselander

Yes, slicks will be easier to ride - pump them up to the maximum pressure and check them every week.

The biggest difference when it comes to hills will be made by selecting the right gear. I see loads of people struggling up hills in much too high a gear and things would be a lot easier if they would just change down a few - make sure you know how to use them properly.


After a couple of weeks you should find the hill gets easier as you get fitter.

uk-tyler

You don't really need slick tyres for commuting, just a tyre with a solid centre bead.
Slick tyres can puncture easily maybe something like this?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2x-SCHWALBE-SEMI-SLICK-26-MOUNTAIN-CYCLE-MTB-BIKE-TYRES-/110666821400?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item19c441af18
I use these for touring and I've not had a puncture yet.

custardy

if you think you may replace it in a couple of months,lube it up,make sure the gears/brakes work and just get out and ride
if you struggle on the hills then get off and walk
you will soon see improvements as the weeks go on

7 miles on a bike is nothing

thescouselander

I had these on my mountain bike before I got my road bike:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-city-jet-mtb-tyre/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=products

They have built in puncture protection and I've never had a puncture when using them so I'd rate them quite highly. You can feel the rolling resistance is a good bit less than off road tyres too.

custardy

thescouselander wrote: »

I had these on my mountain bike before I got my road bike:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-city-jet-mtb-tyre/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=products

They have built in puncture protection and I've never had a puncture when using them so I'd rate them quite highly. You can feel the rolling resistance is a good bit less than off road tyres too.

well if you are running tyres like that on an MTB, then you need a road bike