I am toying with the idea of converting the bike to a hybrid. The current wheel size is 29x2.1. What tires can I put on it without changing the rims? What else other than wheels should I do with it for commuting purposes?Chuck Norris once broke the land speed record on a bicycle that was missing its chain and the back tire.
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Re:To convert....or not to convert? - 2009/09/23 10:35im not exactly sure what you mean by "hybrid" but if you mean something to run on the road mostly, i would just get a pair of slicks, probably in the 1.9 range and you should be good to go.
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Re:To convert....or not to convert? - 2009/09/23 10:42Well, I do ride a bit the last 1.5 miles of my commute into work is on dirt road/trail. I was thinking like a cross over type of bike (not to be confused with a "princess" ). I'm currently riding my 29er on the road with the knobby tire advantage. I'd love to pick up a nice used Gary Fisher Montare......but I haven't found one. I was thinking like a tire that was good for road and light trail. Can I just mount a 700 tire on it?Chuck Norris once broke the land speed record on a bicycle that was missing its chain and the back tire.
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Re:To convert....or not to convert? - 2009/09/23 11:22Here is the link to the GF site for the Montare:http://fisherbikes.com/bike/model/montare
Wheel size indicated there is 700x38c. I don't think they are actually slicks. Will this tire size work on my rims?Chuck Norris once broke the land speed record on a bicycle that was missing its chain and the back tire.
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Re:To convert....or not to convert? - 2009/09/23 13:52the 700C tires are the same diameter as your 29" wheels. the issue is width. Im not sure what the actual width of your rim is but heres a great site to help you figure out what width tire will work well on your rim once you measure it. another option would be to bring the rim in without a tire on it to the Bicycle Shop or Freeze Thaw and im sure they could help you out as well. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html
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Re:To convert....or not to convert? - 2009/09/23 13:53yeah. your rims should be able to handle anything around 700x35 or larger. a good 38 or 40 would be a decent choice for you, especially if you find one with a little tread on the sides for when you're bouncing around in the gravel.
i ran my 29er as a townie bike with 1.9 mt tires and it was fine. but i also ran 2.55 mt tires on it and 32 slicks. i just found it to be too much of a pain to switch between the latter two so put the 1.9 tires on as a general compromise.
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Re:To convert....or not to convert? - 2009/09/23 14:12Great. Thanks for the info in the last two posts. Mr. Princess, do you have a recommendation on a particular tire? What tires have you had good luck with in the past for this type of riding?
Any other suggestions for my particular bike? The geometry set's you upright fairly well. I think it fits me quite well. I have the 19" frame and I'm 5'-11.5". Anyone think that changing out handle bar for a slightly different geometry would be beneficial?
I'm also considering a rear rack. I currently use my CamelBak Mule or another backpack for hauling around my crap. I recently purchased a Tumbuk2 Classic Messenger bag.....however, I got the size large (which is very large). I then sold it and am still thinking a messenger bag would be a good way to go (this time size medium). Anyone here use them?? Rack suggestions?
Edited for grammar (I are an Eng-in-eer....)
Post edited by: herrhaus, at: 2009/09/23 14:14Chuck Norris once broke the land speed record on a bicycle that was missing its chain and the back tire.
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Re:To convert....or not to convert? - 2009/09/23 20:39i liked my rack for townie riding. if you've got the bucks for paniers, you aren't like to find much better. that said tho, a messenger bag is like to be pretty versatile and convenient.
there's a few decent tires for this style of riding. the idea is to keep your rolling resistance down and still have a little bite if you need it.
a few that come to mind are:
1. specialized's borough (i had stock) and crossroads. the nimbus maybe. but not a lot of bite. the borough is almost useless once off the pavement, so if it isn't a maintained path, go with something a bit more aggressive.
2. bontrager h2 or h4. these are pretty new, so not a lot of feedback yet. but they seem pretty similar.
3. kenda's kwest is prob the most common tire out there in all kinds of oem formats, same with the komfort. the krad is better for rough terrain, but rolls worse.
4. conti makes a town & country and a double fighter. conti's are pricey tho. other models that are ok are country ride and city ride
5. panaracer has a crosstown (no experience)
6. michelin offers a city model that's been ok on mostly pavement.
7.irc and maxxis don't offer a whole lot. same with hutchinson, wtb, vittoria, etc.
and lastly most shops can get you CST, but few people care for them. the selecta and servant are decent basic commuter tires.
i'd say pick up a set of kenda komforts (or similar) to try out. but if they seem to aggressive, go with kwests or not enough, get some k-rad's. there's not a lot of variance in real features between most manufacturer's commuting tires.
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Re:To convert....or not to convert? - 2009/09/24 21:39Try 2.1 nano raptors. Pump them up to 60psi for the commuting, drop to 30psi for off road. They won't perform like an ignitor, for example, but you'd be surprised what they'll handle off road. When you know you're going for a serious mtb ride, put the full knobbies back on.
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I also ran across the Specialized tires. "The Captain" looks like it might offer a bit less rolling friction, but still be a good choice for trail riding. Anyone on here have these on their bike?
OR
If going to mainly road, with occasional fireroad/light trail....anyone use the Specialized Fast Trak Sport tires??Chuck Norris once broke the land speed record on a bicycle that was missing its chain and the back tire.
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Re:To convert....or not to convert? - 2009/09/25 18:08The Captain is a good tire, but I'd only use them if you're gonna be riding mostly trails. They're definitely a mountain tire and run big (Specialized 2.0 is more like a 2.2). So I'd go with something a bit narrower and with less tread if you're going to be riding on pavement.
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Re:To convert....or not to convert? - 2009/09/29 14:47I stopped in FTC today and chatted with a few guys (Chuck and Jordyn). I told them I'm hesitant (in case you haven't all ready figured that out) about putting a tire on the bike that will literally preclude me from any type of serious trail riding. So....I guess I'm back pedaling here.
Anywho, they suggested using the Kenda Small Block 8. Anybody here use these out in Rothrock? If so, how did they work out for you? I read some reports that this tire is not a good choice for the front. So, I was thinking possibly just leaving my WTB Prowler on the front (or perhaps putting on a Nano Raptor) and using the small block 8 on the back. Anybody have input on mix matching tires?Chuck Norris once broke the land speed record on a bicycle that was missing its chain and the back tire.
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Re:To convert....or not to convert? - 2009/09/29 14:49BTW: on most accounts, I thought the FTC price on the small block 8 was fairly competitive @ $45 per tire.Chuck Norris once broke the land speed record on a bicycle that was missing its chain and the back tire.
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). I'm currently riding my 29er on the road with the knobby tire advantage. I'd love to pick up a nice used Gary Fisher Montare......but I haven't found one. I was thinking like a tire that was good for road and light trail. Can I just mount a 700 tire on it?
