Tyre choice

[Cockney Scot]

Well have settled for a trek 6300, having Tubus front rack fitted , Tortec rear expedition rack, front and rear guards and trip speedo fitted.
Now to the tyres, it has Bontrager XR 26 x 2.25 tyres fitted as standard but intend to fit Specialized Cross roads Armadillo Elite tyres, the only size they come in is 26 x 1.95, will the slimmer tyre make any difference?
I have fitted the Specialized Cross roads Armadillo Elite 700 x 38c on my hybrid and I like the tyres hence my choice, as most of my riding is Canal towpath , gravel tracks and some road they meet my needs.

 

[02GF74]

yes - slimmer tyres are most likely to be lighter but you would need to sun at higher pressure than fatter tyres.

all things being equal, fatter tyres will give more grip on loose surface but more drag on smooth surface.

you are talking an 8 mm difference, or 13 % difference - I wouldn;t worry too much about the consequences TBH.

for your intended use the narrower tyres will be fine.

don't forget to change inner tubes to match tyre although with the small change you are making, you should be ok.

 

[Mr Pig]

I use Specialised Nimbus Armadilo which are 1.5 wide. I've been on every kind of surface with them, including bogs, course gravel, muddy fields etc. They are fine on road and towpath and just a big more skittish on gravel. I'm talking about gravel farm tracks here, rocks about the size of golf balls.

For what you're riding I think they sound ideal. They're thicker than my Nimbus and have a lot more tread. If I can get across a wet field or a peat bog with the Nimbus your tyres should be fine on a towpath.

 

[Cockney Scot]

Thanks for all the advice, I will have the specilized Cross roads armadilo elite fitted when i collect the bike tommorrow.
I have the Specilized armadilo Cross roads 700 x 38c on my hybrid and have found them to be a good grip.