how much does a thinner tire really do for you?

[mimitabby]

yeah, now that i am finally getting used to riding my road bike my DH says to me; "And you can use your hybrid bike for your commute"
NO WAY!! I LIKE going uphill on my light little road bike!! It's made a world of a difference.

If I had a flat commute, it might be different. He thinks I should have different bikes for different purposes, but really, i like riding just one.

[xeney]

I like having multiple bikes, but I wouldn't have another fat-tired commute/city bike. I whine enough about the fat tires on my mountain bike, and on the rare occasion when I have to ride it on pavement, I bellyache the whole time.

[Veronica]

I like having multiple bikes, but I wouldn't have another fat-tired commute/city bike. I whine enough about the fat tires on my mountain bike, and on the rare occasion when I have to ride it on pavement, I bellyache the whole time.

That's funny - I find riding my MB on pavement kind of freeing. It's okay that I'm slower... I'm on my MB.

V.

[Kano]

Oh! Oh! Oh! I love my thinner tires!

A few months ago I bought a Specialized Expedition Sport "comfort bike" --- knobby, 2 inch wide tires on it. My average speed, on flats, was 10mph at best.

I got the new tires, 1 1/2 inch wide, smooth tires, with tread that reminds me of worm-wood on them. My average speed now is 11.7mph. BUT that's because now I go on hills, and those 30+mph descents just don't fix a 4mph uphill climb... Most of the time, when I'm on uncrowded flats, I tend to run around 14-15mph now.

Granted, I'm stronger than I used to be, but those tires made an instant difference. It's not just speed, but my endurance is better too -- I can ride farther than I did with the knobby tires too! -- DH believes in "my bike ladies" now and is truly afraid of you all!! (it's the effect on his wife that scares him most!)

Karen in Boise

[DDH]

I ride my MB on the road all the time. I'm not in any shape to go off roading anymore and the MB is all I have. My DH has put smoother tires on my bike to help the resistance since I don't ride much off road, but they are still also big enough that I can ride off road some without worrying about getting an instant flat. My avg speed right now is anywhere from 10 to 11, but I ride a lot of hills out here where I live and dont' expect a lot of speed. I am more interested in getting fit and losing weight anyway though.