Maybe a dumb question (or two)

[sandra]

This past weekend we loaded up our bikes and did the 'Ride for Wishes' a part of the Make a Wish Foundation. It was great fun and now we are searching the internet for more rides in the southeast to ride in. We rode over an bridge that I wondered if we could really make it over! It was great.

I've decided that I'd like to change out my tires to a narrower tire. One person told me it could be done but when I talked to the guy at the bike shop, he said I couldn't go any smaller. He said something about me going to a higher pressure tire. <- Why would I want to do that? What would be the advantages?

So, how do you know if you can change your tires (to a smaller one) without changing your wheels?

[tulip]

It has to do with the width of your rims. What type of bike are you riding now? Is it a mountain bike? A hybrid with thicker/wider tires? Please look at the sidewall of your tires and post the tire size. It will probably be 26" x something. Maybe it will say 700c x something, but given your description, it's probably 26.

The 26" is the diameter of the tire. The "something" is the width.

Higher pressure tires have less rolling resistance, meaning you don't have to work as hard to go the same speed and distance. Higher pressure tires are typically narrower, which mean that there is less friction, which also means you don't have to work as hard to go the same distance. It often means you can go faster, too, but that depends upon your physical condition and cycling skills, too.

[sandra]

Thanks!

I rode my Jamis Aurora in the ride. The tires on it are 700 X 32.

I also have a Trek 7.3FX and the tires on it are also 700 X32.

[Blueberry]

Thanks!

I rode my Jamis Aurora in the ride. The tires on it are 700 X 32.

I also have a Trek 7.3FX and the tires on it are also 700 X32.

What rims are on your Jamis? If it's the Alex Ace-19 - it looks like you can put 25's on it.) Higher pressure tires = less area contacting the ground = maybe faster (Basically, what Tulip said). 28's would actually be a big difference for you - that's what I ride on my Bike Friday and my Surly Cross Check (and I've done distance with both). I actually am riding 32's on my Lynskey, but may change to something narrower for >50 miles.

[sandra]

Yes, I have the Alex Ace-19 rims. I'd love to have either 25s or 28s.

Can anyone recommend a higher pressure tire?

[tulip]

Jamis Auroras are nice bikes. You'll need tires and tubes. Tires are personal preference and what fits in your budget. I like Serfas Seca tires. The foldable version is about $60 each. The non-foldable version is about $25-$30 each.

I also like Hutchinson tires. I had one bad experience with Michelin Race Pro tires (sidewall split while riding), but that was just one bad tire; alot of people like those tires.

I'm sure alot of folks will chime in with their preferences.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yes, I have the Alex Ace-19 rims. I'd love to have either 25s or 28s.

Can anyone recommend a higher pressure tire?

Any tire that is thinner will be pumped up to higher pressure. Fat tires get pumped to lower pressure. It's a matter of physics, not tire brand.
Every tire will have it's maximum pressure recommendation printed right on it.
If you get a narrower tire like a 25 or 28, it will automatically be a 'higher pressure' tire than the ones you have now.

[sandra]

I talked to another guy at another bike shop. He didn't think that going from a 32 to a 28 would make enough difference to be worth it. He didn't think I'd notice that much difference, even if the tire was a higher pressure tire.

He also said that with the smaller tire I would be more likely to have flats riding on the road (as opposed to the rails-to-trails bike path)

I was interested in Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase tires and no one had them locally. Of course I could order online but I'm wondering if I should just forget it.

[pll]

He also said that with the smaller tire I would be more likely to have flats riding on the road (as opposed to the rails-to-trails bike path)

Tsk, tsk, bad bike shop guy. I have 23s (cheap stock tires, Continental Sport 1000) and I have used them for 7 years (2600 miles on my current odometer). I have yet to have a flat. I am religious about ensuring they are properly inflated prior to every ride, and I have taken these tires through roads and sometimes gravel trails.

[sarahspins]

He also said that with the smaller tire I would be more likely to have flats riding on the road (as opposed to the rails-to-trails bike path)

This is true.. but ONLY if you fail to maintain correct tire pressure (meaning checking/filling before every ride - invest in a good floor pump if you haven't already). If you fail to do so, road tires are more prone to "pinch flats" than most hybrid and MTB tires are simply because there is less distance between the road and the rim... but a properly inflated tire really isn't at a huge risk.. not enough to be paranoid over, so long as you're checking pressure.

I've yet to have a flat while riding on any bike... I do ride with supplies if I were to have one, it just hasn't happened. I don't really expect it to happen... I would just hate to be stranded if it did.

[sandra]

I always check the tires and inflate before every ride.

Do you think that I would notice a difference in going from the 32s to the 28s? Or would you agree that it is not enough to notice? I'm not sure I want to go to the 25s (although I'm not sure why!)

[marni]

I talked to another guy at another bike shop. He didn't think that going from a 32 to a 28 would make enough difference to be worth it. He didn't think I'd notice that much difference, even if the tire was a higher pressure tire.

He also said that with the smaller tire I would be more likely to have flats riding on the road (as opposed to the rails-to-trails bike path)

I was interested in Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase tires and no one had them locally. Of course I could order online but I'm wondering if I should just forget it.

I have been riding on Bontrager Race Lite Harcase tires on my trek pilot 5.2 and swear by them. I have done three cross country rides and only ever had one flat and that was riding locally.

That being said, I check my tires thoroughly at the end of each ride and inflate them to the suggested pressure (120 pounds) every time I ride. I ride in traffic and on major highways more often than not, so the shoulders are always full of junk. I try hard not to ride over stuff, but that is also why I check my tires at the end of each ride, as well as mid ride on the longer jaunts or if I have ridden through some junky area, especially where there are trucks and exploded radial tires and the tiny wires that they shed.

Just another happy bontrager race lite user.

As for the bike guy, blow a raspberry at him next time you pass, he should be seeing how safe it is to make possible what it is you are trying to do rather than patting you on the head and telling you you don't want to have to worry your pretty little head about nasty old flats on the road. If you learn how to change a tire, where's the problem.

marni

[Blueberry]

I always check the tires and inflate before every ride.

Do you think that I would notice a difference in going from the 32s to the 28s? Or would you agree that it is not enough to notice? I'm not sure I want to go to the 25s (although I'm not sure why!)

Yes. I do. To me, there's a big difference. I like the Specialized All Condition Sport. Cheap, and have worked great for me in a 28 and 32.

[smittykitty]

Switched from Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase 32s to the 25s on my Trek FX 7.5. Really glad. Picked up a couple miles per hr. Felt a little narrower for the first couple of minutes, then never thought about it again after that. Do feel the chip seal with higher pressure. Have to keep reminding husband that I don't really need 100+ pds of pressure for my weight. Happy Biking

[pll]

Since tire pressure is being discussed, allow me to point to a neat chart I found years ago (posted here) when I was trying to minimize the impact of road buzz on my hands.

Rather than as "ideal" inflation, I've used this chart as the minimum tire pressure I can get away with given my weight and the bike's. In tend to go close the maximum PSI for my rear wheel (120 psi is what my tires can take), but I go closer to the lower inflation suggested by the chart in my front wheel.