Newbie question (road bike)

[Saintor]

If you have tires less than 32mm, how many times did you damage a wheel/tire?

I have a set of 630x32 tires on my road bike. With end of season sales coming, I am looking possibly for a new bike with "more meat" at the tires, but I realize now that most quality road bikes have 28, 25 or even 23mm tires!

We don't have that many circuits reserved for cycling and in an urban area, I have often to ride on sidewalks with incessant nasty joints.

[synthsis]

I run 700x23's but I ride mostly country roads down here in South Jersey. Some can get gnarly but (knock knock) haven't had an issue with my wheels. I know some people run 28s but anything wider than that and I think you are moving into a hybrid style bike.

[Scott53]

If you run 630x32, I assume you have the "old school" 27" x 1 1/4" tires/rims rather than the current road bike standard (622x23 which is 700 x 23C). I'd probably opt for buying a cross bike, which would give you a good balance of roadability and tough road surface use.

[DJKhakiPants]

^agreed. I run 23s without any wheel problems, and while a lot of the riding is on smooth pavement I do see some tar and chip roads as well as light gravel on my rides. Granted, it's not for long stretches, but the point is that the wheels don't implode if you're not on a velodrome. It will come down to keeping an eye out for pot holes and riding with some finesse over the rough stuff.

If you are on sidewalks a hybrid would work better for you than a traditional road bike. The tires hold more air at a lower pressure so it is a little more forgiving. Hybrid tires (30+) usually have a max of 80 to 90 psi while the road bike tires (23-25) usually start at 120 psi and go from there. Different designs for different purposes.

[SpeedyD]

Get off the sidewalk.

[theuean]

Check this, the whole thing but particularly around the 8 minute mark forward:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLbv91wlDDc

They're running 25 or 28 I believe....

Also check out all the rest of the Beyond the Peloton series, its awesome.

I run 700x23 over some pretty gnarly stuff down in langley and the valley area occasionally and never a problem with the wheels. Well... that's not entirely true, I've had to get my rear trued once because it was about 5mm out, but thats just maintenance.

[Saintor]

If you run 630x32, I assume you have the "old school" 27" x 1 1/4" tires/rims rather than the current road bike standard (622x23 which is 700 x 23C). I'd probably opt for buying a cross bike, which would give you a good balance of roadability and tough road surface use.

Very good advice. I didn't know cyclocross. Looks like a fit for me.

Here are two that I am considering.

Devinci Tosca SL1, designed and manufactured in Quebec. Here is a video of the factory.



Giant TCX 2

[M this 2!]

That second bike looks like a step up over the Devinci. looks quite tough for your needs. like mentioned, being aware and not just plowing through pot holes is the utmost advise to take from this! Move around the pot hole, get out of the saddle if you have to ride through a small one and lift up to unweight yourself. I ride a ton of road and get maybe 1 flat a year (except for July when I got 3). I run on 23c tires at 110 and am totally fine. Recently have been running 25c tires at 100 and am not going back!! (unless they're free) The 25c is proven faster, but more importantly it's just better everywhere! comfy comfy.

but i'd say go with one of the above bikes and stay on a cross bike. Up the pressure to max on the road and lower it if you're going offroad. but get the hell off the sidewalk! it'll get you killed

[BsickPassat]

If you have tires less than 32mm, how many times did you damage a wheel/tire?

I have a set of 630x32 tires on my road bike. With end of season sales coming, I am looking possibly for a new bike with "more meat" at the tires, but I realize now that most quality road bikes have 28, 25 or even 23mm tires!

We don't have that many circuits reserved for cycling and in an urban area, I have often to ride on sidewalks with incessant nasty joints.

...only once... but that was related to a crash... with 700x25c tires

[Saintor]

Do some of you carry a replacement tube and a small pump to do the repair on the road? It is easy to do in a few minutes with no tool.

[theuean]

When I first bought my bike I didn't have a pump with a pressure guage, only the small hand pump for emergencies. I'd pump my tires up with that thing before going for a ride, and had 3 flats in a month. Bought a proper pump, and found out that I was only able to pump my tire up to around 70 PSI with the hand pump before I would get tired/bored. My tires are rated for 125PSI so I run 125 PSI now, and no flats

But yeah I carry the hand pump with me and a spare tube on every ride. I hated the look of the fanny bag or undertail bag, but a friend of my showed me he just carries his repair kit in his second water bottle, which is slick and I dont know why I never thought of it before.

But yeah, my 125 PSI tires, no way they're coming off without a tool! I switched to a Michelin 110 PSI tire and its much easier to get off the rim, but I would still need a tool I think.

[SpeedyD]

Tire levers and a CO2 inflator.

[DJKhakiPants]

CO2 is the only way to go on the road - just be sure to deflate the tire when you get home and reinflate with your floor pump. The CO2 will leak down over a day or two and you will think you have another flat.

[J-Tim]

Haven't had a single puncture since I put Gatorskins on my 700x23. They work great in wet weather too.

[Saintor]

Consequence of Scott53's suggestion and end-of-season sales helping, I bought a cyclocross Giant TCX 2 as above. I am delighted (very nimble, speedy) except maybe for the directional stability, characteristic that you can expect from bigger tires (700x35).

[j0oftheworld]

My Trek 9th District is made for rough commuting. Comes w. Bontrager Hardcase 700x28's.. (Hardcase is their extra puncture proof tire)

[Saintor]

Didn't notice first, but my new bike is equipped with those Presta valves. I learnt to hate them.

The adapter for inflating works so-so.

I had a flat this week. Could be hardly worse. I was a unprepared. The local garage air pump (I was on the road) didn't fit over the schrader adaptor (as on cars).

I was so pissed off that I drilled the rims and installed tubes with schrader valves.

Question; are Presta valves supposed to be better in keeping relatively high pressure in the tires? (like 80 psi+).

[vinividivici]

If you run 630x32, I assume you have the "old school" 27" x 1 1/4" tires/rims rather than the current road bike standard (622x23 which is 700 x 23C). I'd probably opt for buying a cross bike, which would give you a good balance of roadability and tough road surface use.

Just to echo this 700c (or 622x??) tires WILL NOT WORK with your rims. They'll be frustratingly close, only 8mm off over the diameter, but the bead will not seat properly.

Schwalbe and seca both make great 27" tires. Then there's the venerable panaracer pasela which is also a more touring focused tire.