New to this and need help
#1
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New to this and need help
Hi everyone,
I just started a job that lets me take a short commute from the station to work. Decided to buy a Fixie/single speed. I bought a Dawes streetfighter from BD (from a low budget i could afford).
I was looking for now to get some platform pedals and some new tires
I did some research on both but only confused myself some more
If anyone got suggestions for city commuting.
would really appreciate the suggestions
I just started a job that lets me take a short commute from the station to work. Decided to buy a Fixie/single speed. I bought a Dawes streetfighter from BD (from a low budget i could afford).
I was looking for now to get some platform pedals and some new tires
I did some research on both but only confused myself some more
If anyone got suggestions for city commuting.
would really appreciate the suggestions
#2
20+mph Commuter
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Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires are nearly puncture proof but heavy and $$$ but you save time, trouble, and money on flat repairs. Odessey makes some decent "plastic" platform pedals in a million different colors and graphics for a reasonable price. You can spend a ton on nice platform pedals that would be really exciting! Odessey will hold up though. I have the Galaxy print on one of my bikes. You can get donuts too! Or just plain colors.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/86/1e...1fc8bb6265.jpg
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/03...g?v=1502338964
Last edited by JoeyBike; 10-18-18 at 03:46 PM.
#3
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i'll look into it
thanks for the suggestions
question though whats a good width for a commuting tire
thanks for the suggestions
question though whats a good width for a commuting tire
#4
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Matter of opinion but I run the widest thing that fits the bike. The Marathon Plus tires start at 700x25. They do not make the Plus in 700x23. So there is a good starting point if they fit.
#5
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#7
aire díthrub
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What tire size you run, is obviously a personal choice, but as a full time commuter for years, my advice in this regard is pretty simple: don’t run less than 28mm, even if you’re a lightweight. If your frame can’t fit at least a 28mm then you need to accept that it’s not a good choice for a commuter. If it can accept a 28, then from there you can do some measurements to see how large a tire you can run. If you can go larger, do it. I get the rationale behind bicycle commuting to save money, and so you’d not want to spend very much, but a commuter bike is also a tool that you are going to be relying on, and if it’s not up to the task, you’d only be giving yourself unnecessary headaches down the road.
as for what type of tire to run? Well schwalbe is regarded as the king of commuters and they have several good choices. (Such as the venerable Marathon Plus “flatless” tire)
https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/road_tires
my advice though, is that unless you live somewhere that you know you’ll be susceptible to actual punctures, (plant thorns, streets or bicycle lanes full of debris, etc) you probably don’t need serious puncture protection. Most people don’t suffer actual punctures as much as they suffer pinch flats. There are two main ways to get a piinch flat: 1. Riding on tires that don’t have enough volume to support your weight and the weight of the bike and anything you’re carrying) 2. Not having your tires at a high enough PSI. The smaller your tire, the more PSI you’ll need to avoid pinch flats. The more PSI the harsher the ride. Pretty simple. Potholes cause pinch flats, not punctures.
Last edited by seamuis; 10-19-18 at 02:49 AM.
#8
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ill second that the best tire is the largest that will fit. If you think a 28 will fit, then start with that. For commuting, I wouldn’t recommend anything less than 28. There are some measurements you can do to give som approximations on what size tires will fit, but there are a lot of variables here that can affect that, like the width of your rims, wether your chainstays are dimpled for tire clearance, if your tire brand choice lists their sizes accurately, will the tire stretch (what PSI will you be running). Will your brakes clear larger tires? (Most modern dual pivot side pull brakes are designed for lightweight and aerodynamics, not for tire clearence)
To be true about the commute, its very short like a mile or two one way. I also can't budget for a mid tier as most of everything goes into expenses.
i wanted a solid starter that i can build upon then buy a better bike later on after some more experience.
Thank you for input and suggestion, really appreciate the explanation
I don't actually know if they can.
as you said they are dual pivots so i will probably need to buy new calipers as well when i invest in new tires.Tektro 510A Dual Pivot Caliper F&R
Any suggestions on those?
you said measure the fork. how would I go about doing that to know the biggest tire i can fit on my bike?
#9
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Did you have a BD Dawes, if so, how did you like it?
#10
aire díthrub
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True true i get that but honestly for the need right now I have seen that this bike is very solid minor cosmetics.
To be true about the commute, its very short like a mile or two one way. I also can't budget for a mid tier as most of everything goes into expenses.
i wanted a solid starter that i can build upon then buy a better bike later on after some more experience.
Thank you for input and suggestion, really appreciate the explanation
I don't actually know if they can.
as you said they are dual pivots so i will probably need to buy new calipers as well when i invest in new tires.Tektro 510A Dual Pivot Caliper F&R
Any suggestions on those?
you said measure the fork. how would I go about doing that to know the biggest tire i can fit on my bike?
To be true about the commute, its very short like a mile or two one way. I also can't budget for a mid tier as most of everything goes into expenses.
i wanted a solid starter that i can build upon then buy a better bike later on after some more experience.
Thank you for input and suggestion, really appreciate the explanation
I don't actually know if they can.
as you said they are dual pivots so i will probably need to buy new calipers as well when i invest in new tires.Tektro 510A Dual Pivot Caliper F&R
Any suggestions on those?
you said measure the fork. how would I go about doing that to know the biggest tire i can fit on my bike?
I dont know anything about Tektro 510a’s, but if im not mistaken, with tektro, anything in the ‘500’ series should be a mid reach brake, so I would be surprised if they didn’t have ample clearence.
#12
aire díthrub
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i personally ride panaracer tires, so a few recommendations I can give, (all come in both 28 and 32mm)
panaracer RiBMo - if you want a good balance between puncture protection but lightweight and fast (slick)
panaracer T-serv - for a similar tire, but with treading for more confidence through dirt/sand/gravel
panaracer Tourguard Plus - for a heavy duty puncture resistant tire
panaracer GravelKing - for a fast, lightweight, smooth tire at the expense of serious puncture protection (my favourite tire, and what I commute on)
happy riding, cheers mate.
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Fresh Garbage
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#16
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thanks for all the suggestions and help will definitely look at the ones suggested.