A Change From Slicks To Knobby Tires
- Thread starter Wester
- Start date
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smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
Only ever gone from knobbly's to slicks myself.
Stating the obvious now, tyres are designed for purpose, and knobbly's are not designed for road use, so take care out there.
Stating the obvious now, tyres are designed for purpose, and knobbly's are not designed for road use, so take care out there.
mcshroom
Bionic Subsonic
- Location
- Egremont, Cumbria
What's the comparative widths and pressures of the tyres?
These are what makes the difference in comfort between tyres rather than the rubber lumps on them. My tourer has been shod with anything from high pressure 25s down to 35mm touring tyres (and CX tyres) and the larger tyres have always been a bit more comfy than the smaller ones (though slower) as they run at lower pressure and have a lot of air space.
Watch out cornering and stopping with the knobblys, they have less grip on the road than a slicker tyre. They are also harder work.
These are what makes the difference in comfort between tyres rather than the rubber lumps on them. My tourer has been shod with anything from high pressure 25s down to 35mm touring tyres (and CX tyres) and the larger tyres have always been a bit more comfy than the smaller ones (though slower) as they run at lower pressure and have a lot of air space.
Watch out cornering and stopping with the knobblys, they have less grip on the road than a slicker tyre. They are also harder work.
Roadrider48
Voice of the people
- Location
- Londonistan
If I ever ride my mountain bike now as opposed to the roadie my legs ache like buggery.
gaz
Cycle Camera TV
- Location
- South Croydon
as mcshroom said. The difference is actually in the volume of air that the tyres hold. A larger tyre holds more air and as such is more comfortable to ride on. It goes in hand that you also usually run a larger tyre at less pressure.
downfader
extimus uero philosophus
- Location
- 'ampsheeeer
I manage about 36mph on a couple of hills around here on Conti CXSpeeds. Compact gearset too.
young Ed
Veteran
how wide?
they are only slightly knobbly though i was on about the difference between real knobbly proper MTB tyres and road bike skinny tyres
Cheers Ed
Hip Priest
Veteran
And how fast on the way down?
Bodhbh
Guru
I've you like the ride of the knobblies it really sounds like you want to run something like Big Apples, which have a slick tread for the road, but huge volume for crashing about over potholes etc. The knobbles just create alot of work, wear out in no time on the road, and corner horribly. I've been running them over the winter commute and really like the ride, tho the main downside is accelerating is seriously hard work - I am not a happy man stopping at junctions, red lights and giving way.
Crankarm
Guru
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
The OP won't be back.
downfader
extimus uero philosophus
- Location
- 'ampsheeeer
35c tyres. They have a diamond tread instead of smooth central slick section:
http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/ti cyclocrossspeed.shtml
Surprisingly good on a stop-start acceleration, but as said above cornering is.... different.
young Ed
Veteran
i see a CX type tyre, could be good if we get a hard winter to chuck on my cummuter for example
Cheers Ed
The last thing you want in cold, wet, icy conditions is even less grip from excessive tread IMO. You're not going to hydroplane on a bike, so tread is only needed if you're heading off-road.
young Ed
Veteran
less grip from more tread??? am i missing something here?
i was talking about riding in snow (i have to ride all year round)
Cheers Ed
