Replacement Wheels/Tyres

[mdscycle]

Hi,

I'm just starting to get into cycling and some of my routes are road based and some are a mixture of gravel/mud. For the road based ones I'd like to have some wheels that I can swap to easily as the tyres I have on now slow me down quite a bit on a road. I have a Carrera Vengeance 2011 with 26" wheels, can anyone recommend a complete set of wheels & tyres that I could use to swap easily via the quick release? I don't need anything expensive so just good value for money will do.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Crandoggler]

Well, first step is to find some 'slick' MTB tyres, like Michelin wild Run'r. Can get a pair for around £30

Merlin have a set of MTB wheels for sale for £41.95 - so around £70 all said and done.

You're better off asking in the MTB section though.

 

[outlash]

Why do you need new wheels for? Changing tyres isn't a big deal and if you value your drivetrain, you'd swap the cassette over too. Just get some semi slick tyres, a decent set like Schwalbe Sammy Slicks are good enough on road and off unless it's really muddy.

 

[Globalti]

Yes, no need for separate wheels. Just fit some commuter type tyres or on/off road tyres with a cross hatched tread pattern and edge knobs and you'll find them adequate for tarmac, mud or gravel. Big knobbles are over-rated and you can ride most regular off road stuff with a commuter tread.

Realising this made a big difference to our times and scores on a 7 hour Polaris event when my brother and I used to do them. After a few events I found my ideal all-purpose tyre, it was called a Crossroads and I had a central ridge, on which the tyre rolled on tarmac and small edge grips that worked when the tyre sank into a soft surface. It was about 1.4" wide so it had good ground pressure and sank down well in mud to find grip. It was fast off road and on; the only penalty was that it was a little harsh off road.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Schwalbe landcruisers are similar to the ones Globallti describes, and about £12 each.