Road buzz and comfort while riding

[Roadtrip]

Not familiar with the bike. If it comes with 28's she can then try 32 or 36's but 28's should really help to take out road buzz. I could suggest then a better wheel but it would almost be best to buy a different bike...

It has 32's on it now.. so are you saying to down to a 28?

[bcipam]

It has 32's on it now.. so are you saying to down to a 28?

No sorry I could not see the bike if photos were posted and I was not familiar with it... I assume it was a road style bike with thinner tires. The only thing you could do is go up to 36's but realize the wider the tire, the more "drag" ie friction on the road. It is harder to move wider tires than thin.

That said, 20 miles isn't very much at all. I say before you spend any more money just let alittle air out of tires and ride, ride, ride. Not certain where you pump the tires to but you shouldn't be running anymore than 60 - 80 psi.

I have a friend who had one flat after another. This was mountain biking mind you. She also had difficulty controling her bike. I agreed to fix one of her flats. In checking the air in her other tire I noticed it was pumped to 80 psi. Recommended for mountain biking, especially on California's sandy trails is 30 - 40 psi. She exclaimed but the tires says 80 psi! I showed her it says the maximum is 80 not the recommendation. For road/pavement use 80 psi is OK. Now be careful and don't drop the psi too low... especially for heavier riders. That might result in "pinch flats". I wouldn't go below 60.

If you don't already always ride with a spare tube and tools. Even if you can't change a flat, someone riding by can.

[Roadtrip]

Ahhhhh.. Tire pressure.. Another topic that has received lots of debate around here!! I know the 26x1.75" thick wheels on my cruiser has max 60psi, while the 700c x 32 tires max out at 120psi. I've heard that pinch flats can be caused by too low a pressure and heaved rider. With that said, dh reminded me that most of the rider weight is over the back tire, so I could run at say 80 on the front and 90 in the back and see how that feels.

Oh, and I don't expect a silky smooth ride out of a $600 bike, but to say it's not ment for the road is a little harsh, many people here use an fx as a daily commuter.

Shannon

[bcipam]

Ahhhhh.. Tire pressure.. Another topic that has received lots of debate around here!! I know the 26x1.75" thick wheels on my cruiser has max 60psi, while the 700c x 32 tires max out at 120psi. I've heard that pinch flats can be caused by too low a pressure and heaved rider. With that said, dh reminded me that most of the rider weight is over the back tire, so I could run at say 80 on the front and 90 in the back and see how that feels.

Oh, and I don't expect a silky smooth ride out of a $600 bike, but to say it's not ment for the road is a little harsh, many people here use an fx as a daily commuter.

Shannon

I can't imagine putting 120psi in a 32!!!! I ride on 28's and 25's and use 90 and 100 respectively. with 32's you should be no more than 80. Might explain your problem... remember that's a maximum tire pressure and should only be used in ideal conditions. You are right, too little pressure is also a problem so you need ot experiment with the right balance for you.