Wanting to upgrade tires on my Trek FX7.5
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: LR, AR
Posts: 94
Bikes: 2013 Specialized Tarmac Pro SRAM 2010 Trek 7.5 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wanting to upgrade tires on my Trek FX7.5
Guys I'm needing some help. I want to upgrade my tires for speed and less weight. I have the stock bontrager racelite hard case 700x32c. I weight 205lbs and do only riding on the road in only dry weather conditions. I was thinking want to try some 25c tires. I don't which to go with????
TIA
Chance
TIA
Chance
#2
Really Old Senior Member
I have about 2000 miles on these and it looks like I may get close to that many more-
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...t-tire-folding
Pretty light weight and a good price.
I had them on my original 23mm Hybrid rims (replaced 35mm tires) and transferred them to my home built Sun Rims M13 II's.
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...t-tire-folding
Pretty light weight and a good price.
I had them on my original 23mm Hybrid rims (replaced 35mm tires) and transferred them to my home built Sun Rims M13 II's.
#3
Ha ha ha ha ha
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Gold Coast; Australia
Posts: 4,554
Bikes: 2004 ORBEA Mitis2 Plus Carbon, 2007 Cannondale Bad Boy Si Disc, 2012 Trek Gary Fisher Collection Marlin WSD 29er Aldi Big Box (Polygon) 650b
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
7 Posts
I use Vittoria Rubino Pro tyres. 23mm
Perfect for speed and climbing on open roads.
Perfect for speed and climbing on open roads.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 316
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I went from Bontrager hardcase lite 700x32 to Bontrager All Weather Plus 700x28 to Michelin Pro4 Service Course 700x25. The Michelins are by far my favorite. Very light and so far very puncture-resistant. Got them from Amazon. Check them out!
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: LR, AR
Posts: 94
Bikes: 2013 Specialized Tarmac Pro SRAM 2010 Trek 7.5 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 6,319
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Casseroll, 2009 Kona Blast
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1031 Post(s)
Liked 208 Times
in
146 Posts
If you are curious and have the cash, by all means, give it a shot. You can always change back if you don't like it.
That said, I suspect that the weight savings between Bontrager 32 c and an equivalent quality 25 c tire will be very small. While I could be wrong, I suspect the efficiency gain, and therefore the time gained on, say, a 35 or 40 mile ride between two comparable quality tires, one 32 and one 25, both being ridden by identical 205 lb riders might be measured in seconds. And, this would be at the expense of ride quality and perhaps, flat protection.
That said, I suspect that the weight savings between Bontrager 32 c and an equivalent quality 25 c tire will be very small. While I could be wrong, I suspect the efficiency gain, and therefore the time gained on, say, a 35 or 40 mile ride between two comparable quality tires, one 32 and one 25, both being ridden by identical 205 lb riders might be measured in seconds. And, this would be at the expense of ride quality and perhaps, flat protection.
#9
Really Old Senior Member
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
go to your LBS and just see what they have in stock
#12
Really Old Senior Member
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: LR, AR
Posts: 94
Bikes: 2013 Specialized Tarmac Pro SRAM 2010 Trek 7.5 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
To all others, with helpful comments, thanks. I ordered a set of Cont GP4s and couple of extra tubes as well just in case.
#14
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Lawrence, KS
Posts: 42
Bikes: 2007 Trek 7.3 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I realize this is an old tread, but I am considering upgrading tires also and was wondering what size you chose and how you like the Cont GP4s now that you've had them awhile? I have a Trek 7.3 FX with stock 700x32 Bontragers and I'm thinking I'd like to go smaller… say 28s as I don't think my rims will allow me to go down to 25s.
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: LR, AR
Posts: 94
Bikes: 2013 Specialized Tarmac Pro SRAM 2010 Trek 7.5 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well I went with 25's and loved them. I rarely ride the bike now though bc I switch over to the dark side to a road bike. It was a night and day difference in a very good way. Smoother ride and all
#16
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Lawrence, KS
Posts: 42
Bikes: 2007 Trek 7.3 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for the reply and congrats on the new road bike. If you lived a little closer you could pass me.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 316
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
On my Trek hybrid, I have 700x28 Conti 4season tires. They actually run a little small for stated size. Regardless, they are lightweight androll fast--super grippy in dry and wet. I've only had them on a couple hundred miles but they are reportedly very durable and puncture resistant. Highly recommended.
#18
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Lawrence, KS
Posts: 42
Bikes: 2007 Trek 7.3 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
On my Trek hybrid, I have 700x28 Conti 4season tires. They actually run a little small for stated size. Regardless, they are lightweight androll fast--super grippy in dry and wet. I've only had them on a couple hundred miles but they are reportedly very durable and puncture resistant. Highly recommended.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 6,319
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Casseroll, 2009 Kona Blast
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1031 Post(s)
Liked 208 Times
in
146 Posts
They sound like they might be just what I am looking for. Nice to get the feedback, especially from those with not only experience but similar bikes. What tires did you run before these? Also, what tire pressure do you like? I'm hoping un upgrade will result in less resistance and greater speed. I'm not looking to race but a little extra speed would be nice. I'm also wondering how much "comfort" I might be sacrificing if I go to a more narrow tire (700x32 to 700x28).
#20
Really Old Senior Member
They sound like they might be just what I am looking for. Nice to get the feedback, especially from those with not only experience but similar bikes. What tires did you run before these? Also, what tire pressure do you like? I'm hoping un upgrade will result in less resistance and greater speed. I'm not looking to race but a little extra speed would be nice. I'm also wondering how much "comfort" I might be sacrificing if I go to a more narrow tire (700x32 to 700x28).
I'm 240.
I tried a 23mm on the front, but the "road buzz" was too numbing on my hands at the pressure I had to run. Back to the 26mm and things are much better.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 316
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
What tires did you run before these? Also, what tire pressure do you like? I'm hoping un upgrade will result in less resistance and greater speed. I'm not looking to race but a little extra speed would be nice. I'm also wondering how much "comfort" I might be sacrificing if I go to a more narrow tire (700x32 to 700x28).
#22
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Lawrence, KS
Posts: 42
Bikes: 2007 Trek 7.3 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm 160. FYI - I currently have the stock flat bar but I am considering a trekking bar for additional positions and hand comfort.
#23
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Lawrence, KS
Posts: 42
Bikes: 2007 Trek 7.3 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My Trek came with 700x32 Hardcase Lite. I was happy with the tires but not with the size. Going more narrow just feels more responsive and faster (even though my times are roughly the same). I do paved paths and fine ground limestone trails--nothing hardcore so the 700x28 and even 700x25 is fine. I also tried Bontrager Allweather Plus, Conti comfortcontact, and the Michelin Pro4 Service course (which I also love). The 4Seasons are probably the best tires I have ever used and right up there with the Michelins I have on my other hybrid. I pump them to 110psi but let them sag to 80s over the course of a week or so. I LIKE feeling the road conditions beneath me and I don't feel the ride is uncomfortable at all.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 316
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Michelin Pro4 SC should still be in play. I have 700x25 on my Marin hybrid. The Michelins run large for size and actually look the same or maybe even larger than the Conti 4Seasons 700x28. Tough to say which I love more--the 4Seasons are near new so may be a littlle grippier to me right now. Both are grippy, responsive, and have reputations for flat-resistence. Others will tell you Schwalbe Marathon Supremes--have not tried those but for me, I will have no incentive to tire shop anymore. Lighter grippier tires are like putting lightweight rims/tires on your car. I have no idea why I'm not faster but you can tell peddling there is a huge difference in responsiveness and enjoyment. I'm not really any faster with my carbon hybrid vs. my aluminum hybrid but the carbon one just feels faster, more responsive and more importantly, more enjoyable--same thing with quality narrow tires.
#25
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Lawrence, KS
Posts: 42
Bikes: 2007 Trek 7.3 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Michelin Pro4 SC should still be in play. I have 700x25 on my Marin hybrid. The Michelins run large for size and actually look the same or maybe even larger than the Conti 4Seasons 700x28. Tough to say which I love more--the 4Seasons are near new so may be a littlle grippier to me right now. Both are grippy, responsive, and have reputations for flat-resistence. Others will tell you Schwalbe Marathon Supremes--have not tried those but for me, I will have no incentive to tire shop anymore. Lighter grippier tires are like putting lightweight rims/tires on your car. I have no idea why I'm not faster but you can tell peddling there is a huge difference in responsiveness and enjoyment. I'm not really any faster with my carbon hybrid vs. my aluminum hybrid but the carbon one just feels faster, more responsive and more importantly, more enjoyable--same thing with quality narrow tires.