Question about wheels and tyres

Question about wheels and tyres

Author
Discussion

mouseymousey

Original Poster:

2,641 posts

244 months

Tuesday 8th April 2008
quotequote all
Morning all

First of all, apologies if some of this sounds like rubbish, I've been cycling (commuting) since November but I'm still a cycle novice and don't know correct terms etc smile

Anyway, I've got a Trek hybrid with 700x35c tyres. I'm sick of getting punctures so I've been recommended to get some Armourdillo (?) tyres. I've also been told that I should look at getting some thinner road tyres to help me go quicker.

My question is, what sort and size of tyres can I put on these wheels? Or do I have to buy new wheels?

I think if I need new wheels then I might just bite the bullet and get a roadbike.

Any help gratefully received.

Matt.

WildCards

4,061 posts

224 months

Tuesday 8th April 2008
quotequote all
What tyre pressure are you running?

mouseymousey

Original Poster:

2,641 posts

244 months

Tuesday 8th April 2008
quotequote all
Oh dear... How embrassing. I have no idea what the tyre pressures are. I guess I should check that?

WildCards

4,061 posts

224 months

mk1fan

10,648 posts

232 months

Tuesday 8th April 2008
quotequote all
If you run thinner tyres you'll get a harsher ride. Personally, on a rigid commuter, I'd run no narrower than a '28'. If you want to go faster - try harder, you'll get more benefit from doing that.

I use Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres (700 x 32) at 95psi on my Mong-One commuter. They have a puncture resistant layer built into the tyre and are very good. Heavy though, but that's the price you pay for no punctures. I've even used the 26x1.95 version off road on my Spesh S-Ws FSR last summer and didn't have any punctures.

There are similar tyres from other makers - the Armadillo from Spesh, Vittoria also do some.

mouseymousey

Original Poster:

2,641 posts

244 months

Tuesday 8th April 2008
quotequote all
Excellent, thanks for that.

Last question, in the tyre sizes, i.e. 700cx35 what do the numbers stand for? I guess the 700 is the circumference of the tyre and 35 is the width? With this in mind, does that mean I need to always use 700x35 on my rims? Or could I use 700x28

Again, many thanks for your help.

mk1fan

10,648 posts

232 months

Tuesday 8th April 2008
quotequote all
You're almost right. SIMPLY put the '700' refers to the diameter (not the circumference) of the wheel rim. The '35' refers to the width of the inflated tyre. It's a bit more complicated but for the purpose of this thread, that's all you need to know.

Now, as for which tyre width you can use is dependant on the width of the wheel rim. Rims have a minimum and maximum tyre width they can support. The wider the rim the wider the tyre it can support. Likewise the narrower a rim the narrower the tyre it can support. If you're currently '35' then you may probably could fit a '28' without problems. To be sure you'll need to look up what the tyre limits are of your particular rim on the manufacturers website or visit your LBS (with your bike) and get them to check.

mouseymousey

Original Poster:

2,641 posts

244 months

Tuesday 8th April 2008
quotequote all
Cheers guys, many many thanks for taking the time to help me out.