Tyres for Giant Rapid 3
Discussion
Its been sat under a cover for about 12 months, think its time to resurrect it!
Bike shop around the corner is going to do a gear service on it as the gearing has a problem where shifting about it clicks down and jumps off the shifter. Basically I cant use anymore than about 5 gears all in the middle, otherwise it gets stuck or the chain grates against the derailler. (I am no mechanic by a long long shot)
Anyway, they can sort that out and also looking at some very sorry looking tyres on it. Look bald and cracked. They are 700 25 size, so thinking of getting some Schwable Marathon tyres, simply put I am not going fast, it will be for just pootling about and also going out with my 8 year old son who has his bike. We are near Richmond park and when it gets busy its better to go onto the gravelly bike trail than on the road where there are loads of clubs hurtling around at 30mph, I would like to keep my lad out the way so again happy with some very puncture resistent tyres.
Marathons seem a good bet, great reviews, low rolling resistence. Or am I missing anything obvious? Better options? Is it overkill?
Bike shop around the corner is going to do a gear service on it as the gearing has a problem where shifting about it clicks down and jumps off the shifter. Basically I cant use anymore than about 5 gears all in the middle, otherwise it gets stuck or the chain grates against the derailler. (I am no mechanic by a long long shot)
Anyway, they can sort that out and also looking at some very sorry looking tyres on it. Look bald and cracked. They are 700 25 size, so thinking of getting some Schwable Marathon tyres, simply put I am not going fast, it will be for just pootling about and also going out with my 8 year old son who has his bike. We are near Richmond park and when it gets busy its better to go onto the gravelly bike trail than on the road where there are loads of clubs hurtling around at 30mph, I would like to keep my lad out the way so again happy with some very puncture resistent tyres.
Marathons seem a good bet, great reviews, low rolling resistence. Or am I missing anything obvious? Better options? Is it overkill?
I ran Marathons for years. I loved them, mainly because I didn’t puncture and hadn’t ridden anything better.
However in hindsight they were uncomfortable and sluggish (and didn’t corner well, not that you’ll care about that). On one hand if all you’re doing is moseying around it shouldn’t matter, but equally how likely are you to puncture doing that sort of riding?
G One is a better all rounder for the riding you describe.
However in hindsight they were uncomfortable and sluggish (and didn’t corner well, not that you’ll care about that). On one hand if all you’re doing is moseying around it shouldn’t matter, but equally how likely are you to puncture doing that sort of riding?
G One is a better all rounder for the riding you describe.
Another Rapid 3 user. Mine is still on the original tyres but when I bought it I was reminded that it was a road bike and shouldn’t be used off road. Rough tarmac is unpleasant, I wouldn’t ride it on gravel ......... I have an old Carrera Vulcan for that.
I had problems shifting down at the front (throwing the chain and bending it) - solved by making sure I don’t change down under load. Means planning ahead.
You can also adjust the front derailleur a click either way on the middle ring without it changing gear to minimise catching, biggest chain ring to biggest ring at the back doesn’t do the chain any good if you look at the offset.
I had problems shifting down at the front (throwing the chain and bending it) - solved by making sure I don’t change down under load. Means planning ahead.
You can also adjust the front derailleur a click either way on the middle ring without it changing gear to minimise catching, biggest chain ring to biggest ring at the back doesn’t do the chain any good if you look at the offset.
Thanks all, the mix of responses is good!
The gearing, yes it is odd, its not having problems under load, it literally drops off the bottom of the shifter (the bit I operate with my thumb) - just feels like the gearing and the shifter are not aligned at all. I tried doing adjustments myself following You Tube videos to help but made it worse, so going to just hand it to someone that knows what they are doing.
Looked at G One but the sizes are 32 width and above, mine is currently on 25 and not sure anything above a 28 will actually fit?
I would love to have multiple bikes but given the lack of use really cannot justify more than one. I will be cycling probably 60% on the road 40% having to go on dusty tracks with stones etc around Richmond Park and similar.
Tried looking at VIttoria but prices seemed on par, Found a seller on ebay doing two Marathons 700 25 for £17.50 each which seemed a good deal. Might also invest in some tubes also, the current ones have presta valves on that are doing my head in, no matter how hard I screw in the top half of the valve when I put a pump on and pump them up as I unscrew it the top half of the valve unscrews with it and the tyre deflates, it should be an easy job but takes multiple attempts!
The gearing, yes it is odd, its not having problems under load, it literally drops off the bottom of the shifter (the bit I operate with my thumb) - just feels like the gearing and the shifter are not aligned at all. I tried doing adjustments myself following You Tube videos to help but made it worse, so going to just hand it to someone that knows what they are doing.
Looked at G One but the sizes are 32 width and above, mine is currently on 25 and not sure anything above a 28 will actually fit?
I would love to have multiple bikes but given the lack of use really cannot justify more than one. I will be cycling probably 60% on the road 40% having to go on dusty tracks with stones etc around Richmond Park and similar.
Tried looking at VIttoria but prices seemed on par, Found a seller on ebay doing two Marathons 700 25 for £17.50 each which seemed a good deal. Might also invest in some tubes also, the current ones have presta valves on that are doing my head in, no matter how hard I screw in the top half of the valve when I put a pump on and pump them up as I unscrew it the top half of the valve unscrews with it and the tyre deflates, it should be an easy job but takes multiple attempts!
Another potential option https://www.tweekscycles.com/michelin-protek-road-...
Decent price, offers the compromise of road and track riding with some level of puncture protection. I would have to go to a 28 width though, I think that should be ok on my bike https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/rapid-3-2015
Decent price, offers the compromise of road and track riding with some level of puncture protection. I would have to go to a 28 width though, I think that should be ok on my bike https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/rapid-3-2015
I have this exact bike.had it since new. 5 years ago.
I used it for the 1st time in a year this weekend. Usually use my much more expensive mountain bike on the road.
Gears are not great on it. U do have to adjust the front gear lever slightly to stop it fouling .
My main issue is the saddle . Very umcomfortable.will get this changed.
I am 6ft and 30in inside leg and i have a size L. I find it a bit small.
I am on original giant tyres. Back tyre has needed to be replaced once. They are mot very puncture prone. And i am crap at puncture repairs on these 25 tyres .i dont have the dexterity to do it!
I should have bought a dearer version of this bike in hindsight to get better gears as the sram set up is meh.
I used it for the 1st time in a year this weekend. Usually use my much more expensive mountain bike on the road.
Gears are not great on it. U do have to adjust the front gear lever slightly to stop it fouling .
My main issue is the saddle . Very umcomfortable.will get this changed.
I am 6ft and 30in inside leg and i have a size L. I find it a bit small.
I am on original giant tyres. Back tyre has needed to be replaced once. They are mot very puncture prone. And i am crap at puncture repairs on these 25 tyres .i dont have the dexterity to do it!
I should have bought a dearer version of this bike in hindsight to get better gears as the sram set up is meh.
Edited by davidc1 on Tuesday 14th April 23:12
Got a new saddle through, also got the new tubes and Marathon tyres. Night and day from the original giant tyres, so much more comfort, not fussed about going for PBs when out with my 8 year old and much more confident of not ending up with a tyre going pop. Also the new tubes were much easier to work with, the old ones the presta valves were knackared.
Whilst I was basking in my glory I cleaned down the chain, brushed all the crap off, and regreased it, it doesn't click as much now but still stuck in the middle gears (the gear lever shows high gearing but its stuck on the middle one!) have it booked in for a gear service on Weds morning.
But in all, very happy went with the marathons, got them for £17.50 each on ebay
Whilst I was basking in my glory I cleaned down the chain, brushed all the crap off, and regreased it, it doesn't click as much now but still stuck in the middle gears (the gear lever shows high gearing but its stuck on the middle one!) have it booked in for a gear service on Weds morning.
But in all, very happy went with the marathons, got them for £17.50 each on ebay
Got the bike back from the shop, all gearing working perfectly! Turns out, it has a rather odd gear selection on the 1st cog front derailier. On the selector it has brackets around the number 1. In effect you have two settings for the 1st cog, low and high, it allows you to use the full range of the rear cassette. Anyway thats why I was stuggling with adjusting it myself! All done now though and bike rides like a dream.
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