Not sure what size Tires I need?

[Merlin7]

Hi Everyone, I recently took up cycling as way to try and get healthier and for fun, travelling around a bit, but not sure if I will stick with it yet, so I only bought a cheaper hybrid bike for now.

however I want to get faster tyres for the road,

but my current tyres read: Kenda 37-622 700 x35c- 1 5/8 x 1/28

the actual wheel without tyre is approx 26 inches

then on the rim of the wheel is written: Alloy 6061 T6 28 x 1,75 x 36H

Wtih all the different details, measurements etc, I'm unsure what size tyres I need? was wondering if anyone can shed some light on it for me, Thank you in Advance, and I really appreciate it

Martin

 

[raleighnut]

Try 32 or 35 x 700c slicks pumped up to their Max Rated Pressure, sounds like the tread making things feel a bit slow.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

+1 to the above. The key info for you is the 700 x 35c on the tyre, that the diameter x width of the tyre and will be what you would need to look for when buying a new inner tube ( they may show a range of widths they would fit in e.g. 700 x 28-35c or 700 x 35-42c).

Going faster can be achieved by smoothing and minimising the area of contact between the tyre and the road: smooth tread tyres (slicks above) will reduce the rolling resistance of the tyre biting into the road and you can slightly vary the width of the tyre so you could go to a 32c, (you can't put e.g. a 700x25c tyre on tho as it'd be too narrow to grip under the wheel rim & would be dangerous) this again would reduce the road contact area but still give you grip & enable the tyre to fit in the rim. Pumping them up to their maximum adds to this smooth small contact area effect and helps to prevent punctures also by the tyre being hard enough to deflect small stones etc away rather than them getting caught in a squidgy tread.

The downside of doing this is that you'll have a more harsh ride feel, tyres are a big part of the suspension & comfort for you. Wider tyres with lots of space for air and a bit of give in them will be a softer and more shock absorbent ride than thinner ones pumped up like concrete. Its a trade off in a way but personally I'd go for thinner hard tyres and ride a bit more loose on my bike, letting my knees and elbows flex as shock absorbers, if you still find the ride less comfy than you want, then you could consider some padded shorts or a seatpost or saddle with some suspension - all can be pretty cheaply obtained.

 

[Merlin7]

Thank You for the replies, that makes a lot of sense, Im going to mull this over and try and figure out which tyres to get , but it sounds like I definately need more slick type, there is some knobly bits only small on my current tyre, but right on the very edges of the tire not in the middle of it.

Thanks for the info here, im going to re read it

very much appreciated

M

 

[Merlin7]

and yeah, I deliberately went for a bike without suspension as I read that steals energy so to speak, and make bikes slower, I think the slicks is definately the way to go, and I like the idea of downsizing slighty to 32, I don't think I would like to go any smaller than that because of pot holes, punctures etc.

 

[Merlin7]

Does this mean I can get tyres that are 700c x 32, instead of 35?

 

[Globalti]

Yes. Even 700 x 28. And buy a track pump so you can pump them up real hard, then you'll be haulin' ass.

 

[Merlin7]

'Thanks guys I have a track pump too, as they seem much less hard work to deal with and got a mini pump which is attached to my bike, but I love the idea of going smaller, slicker oh yeah! Im off to do some Tyre searching, Thank You..

 

[Merlin7]

if I went down to a 32, as my tyre is currently 35 it seems, would I need to get 2 32 inner tubes as well?

Thanks

Martin

 

[uclown2002]

Tubes cover a range of tyre sizes for example 700 x 28-37; so as long as it covers 32 then they will be fine.

 

[Merlin7]

ahh, that makes sense, Thank You that helps, I'm still hunting a good tyre, reading reviews etc