Ok guys, I need some convincing. I intended to replace my big fat knobblies with some road tyres as I never go off road other than cycle paths. I have had these big fat soft tyres for the life of the bike, some seven years (obviously there have been many replacements but you know what I mean).
As there is no 'proper' bike shop in the area where I could buy the tyres recommended in an earlier post, I was going to order some online. However, a puncture yesterday has forced my hand slightly so I called in the local bike shop and picked up a pair of 'City Jet' Kevlar protected tyres and inner tubes.
This is a big thing for me as it heralds a change in the way I look at bikes (it really is all your fault!) and my first step to getting ready to replace my MBT. However, I need to get my head round a couple of things and for someone to hold my hand and tell me I am doing the right thing, so to speak......
This is my old tyre on the front
And the new one
Now, I expected my bike to look totally stupid with these tyres on but I can get used to that. What I find hard to believe is that these can have any sort of grip compared to the soft knobbly rubber I am used to.
Also, my old tyres are rated at 40psi max, these are 80psi!!!! I have pumped them to 60 and then I was a tad scared to go much higher, what do you suggest I run them at? Should they be so high a pressure?
Not had chance to ride them yet but the guy at the shop said I would feel a big difference and need to take time to get used to how the bike will handle now. I almost feel I should get off at corners and walk it round lol.
So, what do you think? Have I done the right thing?
I have also kitted the bike out with a Garmin 200 and I have promised myself that when I have lost three stone and done some decent riding I can have a new Hybrid or
Tourer, a road bike would be a step too far for me. I don't want much faster but I would like it a bit easier.
As there is no 'proper' bike shop in the area where I could buy the tyres recommended in an earlier post, I was going to order some online. However, a puncture yesterday has forced my hand slightly so I called in the local bike shop and picked up a pair of 'City Jet' Kevlar protected tyres and inner tubes.
This is a big thing for me as it heralds a change in the way I look at bikes (it really is all your fault!) and my first step to getting ready to replace my MBT. However, I need to get my head round a couple of things and for someone to hold my hand and tell me I am doing the right thing, so to speak......
This is my old tyre on the front
And the new one
Now, I expected my bike to look totally stupid with these tyres on but I can get used to that. What I find hard to believe is that these can have any sort of grip compared to the soft knobbly rubber I am used to.
Also, my old tyres are rated at 40psi max, these are 80psi!!!! I have pumped them to 60 and then I was a tad scared to go much higher, what do you suggest I run them at? Should they be so high a pressure?
Not had chance to ride them yet but the guy at the shop said I would feel a big difference and need to take time to get used to how the bike will handle now. I almost feel I should get off at corners and walk it round lol.
So, what do you think? Have I done the right thing?
I have also kitted the bike out with a Garmin 200 and I have promised myself that when I have lost three stone and done some decent riding I can have a new Hybrid or
Tourer, a road bike would be a step too far for me. I don't want much faster but I would like it a bit easier.
