do I need to change my tyres?

[joe1942]

I am 71 y.o. and ride a giant crs hybrid, thinking about changing to a lighter bike.,after talking to a couple of cyclists they advised to try different tyres current ones are swarble marathon plus 700x35 they said using them is like riding with the brakes on.Any comments would be appreciated. I average about 30/40 miles an outing

 

[ianrauk]

If you are happy with the tyres then why change?

 

[surfdude]

go down to the lbs and ask them about a lighter bike to see if they think it will make much of difference to you and the type of riding you do . i am of the mind that unless you are a competitive rider a lighter bike is not going to make a major difference to your ride . i would think better components would make it easier to use . tyres are not that much to buy so give it a go and see how you feel with new ones .

 

[cosmicbike]

I think these cyclists are pointing out that Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres are heavy, which is correct, and that changing to lighter (and perhaps thinner) tyres will reduce the rotating mass. This will make the bike feel easier to accelerate, and make climbing hills easier (arguably...)
The play of being you may suffer from more visits from the p fairy

 

[Tynan]

marathons, tsk

I commute and don;t actually like repairing punctures although I'm happy to accept a certain amounts given London roads

I rode LEL last year and an SR in prep without a single visit to my recollection, Conti super sports plus, a commuter tyre and fairly heavy duty but still a lightweight compared to Mararthons

Some people seem to be terrified of having to change a tube, if you;re trundling on an MTB or a chunky hybrid then fine but if you;re enjoy going quicker than the tyre does matter

 

[youngoldbloke]

Tynan makes a good point. If you are riding for pleasure/fitness/leisure, what is the problem with the occasional puncture? I run 3 road bikes all with 23mm tyres, one with Lithion 2s, one with Gatorskins and the other with Mavic Aksions - all folding tyres. Have had 2 punctures this year in getting on for 3K miles. Changed the tubes on the road, repaired back home - no big deal. Lighter tyres WILL make a difference. A lighter bike WILL make a difference. My lightest bike is around 8 Kg with bottle cages, saddle pack etc, and is much easier on my almost 67 year old legs, especially uphill. I hope I'm still riding it - or an even lighter version - when I'm 71. Only 4 years after all! Try some lighter tyres first, and maybe test ride a lighter bike?

 

[fossyant]

If you don't mind a puncture once in many many miles, vs once in a fair bit more, then get something faster.

Lighter tyres do enhance the ride, they feel much better and roll faster. They can be more prone to 'issues', but you get the ones you intend to use on specific surfaces. Light tyres are a doddle to fix if you are proficient with inner tube replacement. You don't even need levers most of the time.

These super resistant tyres are a mare to remove. I carry some very tough tyre levers for my winter spiked tyres for my MTB.

If you aren't confident with a wheel removal/and new inner tube replacement within 10 minutes, then stick with the heavy tyres. They will take you an age to sort if you do get a flat.

 

[joe1942]

Thanks for all the replies,will look at alternative tyres with the wheels I have on the bike a 35mm. is probably the narrowest I can use. When the sales start will have a look around as anyone had a look at the B-Twinn bikes Decathalon are selling the triban 5 hybrid looks good value also the Specialised cirrus sport

 

[w00hoo_kent]

2015's are out soon so prices should drop. If the wheels are a marker, then the Sirrus, mine came with 28C flak jackets as standard and is now on 28C durano plus which are narrower and lighter while still giving some puncture protection (so not as light as they could be), could be a direction to go in.

 

[Road_Runner]

My commuting bike has Swarble Marathon Plus tyres. I like the fact that the bike is reliable, so i don't have to tart around fixing a puncture whilst trying to get to work or back home. As for being heavier - what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger!

 

[Tynan]

free country but it's a long time since I patched at the side of the road, I fix a lot at home with a cup of tea and the radio on

I like to push it a bit and don;t care for the idea that the tyres are slowing be down overly

 

[fossyant]

Thanks for all the replies,will look at alternative tyres with the wheels I have on the bike a 35mm. is probably the narrowest I can use. When the sales start will have a look around as anyone had a look at the B-Twinn bikes Decathalon are selling the triban 5 hybrid looks good value also the Specialised cirrus sport

35mm aren't the narrowest. You could easily go to 28mm. If you want road performance, go for slick road tyres. Rims can accept a fairly wide range of tyres !

 

[migrantwing]

Thanks for all the replies,will look at alternative tyres with the wheels I have on the bike a 35mm. is probably the narrowest I can use. When the sales start will have a look around as anyone had a look at the B-Twinn bikes Decathalon are selling the triban 5 hybrid looks good value also the Specialised cirrus sport

The missus just got a B'Twin Fit 5 (flat bar road bike) from Decathlon for £379. Great bike for the money. I've been out on it a few times and it's great. It's fitted with Deore trigger shifters and Sora derailleurs, Hutchinson tyres, carbon fork. My bike cost 3 times the amount (105 components) but apart from that, there's not much difference that I can feel. A seriously great bike for little money. I don't think you could go far wrong with a decent bike from Decathlon. Plus, they offer a lifetime guarantee on frames and forks on most, if not all their bikes.

 

[potsy]

The missus just got a B'Twin Fit 5 (flat bar road bike) from Decathlon for £379. Great bike for the money. I've been out on it a few times and it's great. It's fitted with Deore trigger shifters and Sora derailleurs, Hutchinson tyres, carbon fork. My bike cost 3 times the amount (105 components) but apart from that, there's not much difference that I can feel. A seriously great bike for little money. I don't think you could go far wrong with a decent bike from Decathlon. Plus, they offer a lifetime guarantee on frames and forks on most, if not all their bikes.

Is that another way of saying 'sit up and beg'?

 

[Stantheman]

I have just put a set of marathon plus 26 x 1.75 tyres on my MTB and the difference they make compared to what was on there is very noticeable. As for weight I notice no difference at all.