Knobblies wearing out too quickly
Discussion
Most of my road riding is with family and friends that go at a steady speed (less than 14mph)
I don't have any trouble keeping using the standard "fast traks" that came with my hardrock, so I've left them on in the hope they'll help build my fitness more quickly than going for slicks.
However, after 620miles, my rear tyre is missing a few knobblies and the ones that are there are pretty tiny. Probably 170miles are off road at Swinley, the rest is on roads and the occasional bridal way.
I've noticed that I'm getting more and more punctures too.
We're up to around 300 miles a month and this will only increase with the nicer weather.
So, are there knobblies that last on the road so I can carry on with the extra fitness gained from pushing along on the knobblies or do I just dawdle along next to the family on slicks and swap over to knobblies when going for a proper offroad session?
I don't have any trouble keeping using the standard "fast traks" that came with my hardrock, so I've left them on in the hope they'll help build my fitness more quickly than going for slicks.
However, after 620miles, my rear tyre is missing a few knobblies and the ones that are there are pretty tiny. Probably 170miles are off road at Swinley, the rest is on roads and the occasional bridal way.
I've noticed that I'm getting more and more punctures too.
We're up to around 300 miles a month and this will only increase with the nicer weather.
So, are there knobblies that last on the road so I can carry on with the extra fitness gained from pushing along on the knobblies or do I just dawdle along next to the family on slicks and swap over to knobblies when going for a proper offroad session?
I usually ride Swinley quite a lot and my tyre choice depends on the condition of the trails, (and how aggressive you are in the saddle).
This time of year I tend to use Schwalbe Alberts – good all rounders, if the trails are wet and sticky I tend to go for Continental Verticals or Kendra Nevegals, and when things are dry and sandy I tend to stick on a set of Continental Mountain Kings.
I live in Binfield so usually ride the new miles to Swinley and back on the road, but my choice of tyre is dictated by the condition of the trails at Swinley, not the bit of tarmac I have to ride there and back.
The trouble with Swinley is you can encounter so many different surfaces once you are there, from wet and rooty, to sandy, loamy forest floor etc – I doubt that there is a perfect tyre for use in the forest and on the road, you will either sacrifice grip and control in the forest in favour of better rolling resistance on the road on a semi-slick, or grip and control in the forest for quicker tyre wear and more rolling resistance on the tarmac for one with a deeper tread pattern.
And additional consideration aside from the grip pattern on the tyre is the compound that the tyre is made from!
If you are looking for a tyre that will be capable off road but not too inhibiting on the road I would suggest looking at Schwalbe Alberts or Kenda Nevegals.
IMHO Nevegals are probably a slightly better all rounder due to the size of the knobbly bits, and the directional tread pattern.
This time of year I tend to use Schwalbe Alberts – good all rounders, if the trails are wet and sticky I tend to go for Continental Verticals or Kendra Nevegals, and when things are dry and sandy I tend to stick on a set of Continental Mountain Kings.
I live in Binfield so usually ride the new miles to Swinley and back on the road, but my choice of tyre is dictated by the condition of the trails at Swinley, not the bit of tarmac I have to ride there and back.
The trouble with Swinley is you can encounter so many different surfaces once you are there, from wet and rooty, to sandy, loamy forest floor etc – I doubt that there is a perfect tyre for use in the forest and on the road, you will either sacrifice grip and control in the forest in favour of better rolling resistance on the road on a semi-slick, or grip and control in the forest for quicker tyre wear and more rolling resistance on the tarmac for one with a deeper tread pattern.
And additional consideration aside from the grip pattern on the tyre is the compound that the tyre is made from!
If you are looking for a tyre that will be capable off road but not too inhibiting on the road I would suggest looking at Schwalbe Alberts or Kenda Nevegals.
IMHO Nevegals are probably a slightly better all rounder due to the size of the knobbly bits, and the directional tread pattern.
Thanks guys.
Maddad, it sounds like we are practically neighbours. I'm over in Warfield.
I'm generally visiting swinley only every couple of weeks and doing a couple of hundred road miles in between visits so I'm wondering if I should bite the bullet and get 2 sets of tyres. 1 for normal riding and 1 for Swinley fun.
Maddad, it sounds like we are practically neighbours. I'm over in Warfield.
I'm generally visiting swinley only every couple of weeks and doing a couple of hundred road miles in between visits so I'm wondering if I should bite the bullet and get 2 sets of tyres. 1 for normal riding and 1 for Swinley fun.
We have probably passed each other in the forest! I ride a Giant Trance or a bright orange Ragley Blue Pig.
I have to admit I have not been over much in the past couple of months as I have been putting in quite a few miles on the road bike (about 1,300 this year to date...), but will be heading over more and more in the coming weeks.
I used to have 2 x sets of tyres, apart fro the hassle of swapping them it was a good move, slicks on the road make it a much more enjoyable experience!
Luckily I have a very understanding wife so now have a full susser, a hardtail, a CX bike and a road bike - which means I can pretty much leave the tyres where they are!
I have to admit I have not been over much in the past couple of months as I have been putting in quite a few miles on the road bike (about 1,300 this year to date...), but will be heading over more and more in the coming weeks.
I used to have 2 x sets of tyres, apart fro the hassle of swapping them it was a good move, slicks on the road make it a much more enjoyable experience!
Luckily I have a very understanding wife so now have a full susser, a hardtail, a CX bike and a road bike - which means I can pretty much leave the tyres where they are!
Something with a central slick (or closely-spaced) stripe might work better (and last longer) if you can live with slightly less grip off-road - something like:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-land-cruiser-mtb-...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-traffic-ii-urb...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-black-jack-all-te...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-land-cruiser-mtb-...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-traffic-ii-urb...
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-black-jack-all-te...
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