DLBroox

I need to buy new tires and tubes for my Bianchi San Jose. It came with all terrain tires that I just never got around to changing and am now wanting to finally do it. They are knobby and slow. I want a smooth profile that's not hideously expensive. I ride 70 percent on the street, 20 percent on bike paths, and 10 percent through yards when Miami drivers try to run me over!

Any suggestions would be helpful. The tires on there now are 700c 32/30. The rims are 622 x 14.

Scrodzilla

28c Gator Hardshells FTW.

Gatorskins and Hardshells give a semi-harsh feeling ride at smaller widths but the 28mm will help soften it a bit, while still being a fast-rolling high-psi tire. They're also pretty indestructable.

SquidPuppet

Do you want the same size tire, or larger, or smaller?

What is your budget?

cDiff Notorious

https://www.probikekit.com/bicycle-tyres/michelin-pro4-endurance-v2-tyre-twin-pack/11322994.html

And a gatorskin twinpack

https://www.probikekit.com/bicycle-tyres/continental-gatorskin-folding-clincher-tyre-twin-pack

REDMASTA

I run 28c Gatorskins and really like them for the less than ideal roads near me (bumps, debris, etc..). They roll well and best part is they are tough, I was getting flats constantly before switching. I run the folding version mainly to make them easier to get on and off.

hairnet

Panaracer RiBMO!! IME they are also pretty indestructible, have a smooth ride, and are relatively inexpensive.

DLBroox

By size do you mean width? I would go thinner.
And I probably would do 50 a tire at most.

DLBroox

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Gives me a good start on what to look at.

Ant specific tubes that are commonly known to be reliable?

SquidPuppet

Thinner will wear out faster. By thinner do you mean "Narrower?

How narrow? And why?

Going from a knobby to a slick of the same size will be a huge difference in smoothness and speed. Going to a smaller volume size will produce a harsher ride than you have now. I'd stay with the same size and just buy a quality folding bead slick, which you can for $50 no problem. FWIW I have Schwalbe Kojaks which measure 32mm on narrow rims like yours. I dig them.

DLBroox

Thanks! I appreciate the explanation. I'll take a look at those.

drlogik 

I broke from the samo-samo mould when I got my Wabi fixie and installed 700cx30 Challenge Strada Bianca "open tubular" tires. Oh man, I love the ride on these tires and am looking to convert my old Pinarello to the smaller diameter (27c) Paris Roubaix's once the current tires (Vittoria Rubio's) wear out. I've ridden a lot of tires over the years and miss the ride of tubular tires.

Well, it's back! These Challenge tires have a road feel that just isn't replicated in many tires any more. Yes, 30's are wide but the suppleness and speed of these tires makes them roll and feel like a 25c tire with the smooth ride of a larger tire, and they are really sticky on corners to. No kidding. Plus, they are hand-made and cold laminated. With 260 tpi skins, these are tough tires to.

If you can run 30's through your frame, I highly recommend the Challenge Strada Bianca's. You'll love the speed and smoothness. Yes, mounting them the first time can be a challenge but after that and on the road they are a piece of cake.

seau grateau

In my experience, a tube is a tube is a tube.

veganbikes

+1. I use the 32 GatorHardshells on my touring bike and 25s on my fixed gear and love them.

Since you can fit a 32c tire I would go with the 32 rather than 28s.

For tubes, Continental is my go to brand but we sell Q-Tubes and Specialized tubes which are just fine and dandy.

DLBroox

Do I have to worry about any other sizes when ordering other than the 700 x 32? I mean the rim size? 622 x 14?

veganbikes

622 is your ISO diameter which is for 700c and 29" tires. The 14 is most likely your inner width and that isn't super important unless you are looking to fit really wide or really narrow tires but if you are sticking in the range of 23c-35c you should pretty much be ok.

One useful thing to note, different rims and different tires will give you different tire widths so you could have the same 25c tire that is wider on one rim and narrower on another or have two different 25c tires on the same rims and the measure out differently.

Here is the most info you will probably ever need for tire sizing (unless some new modern stuff comes out and John Allen isn't around to update and nobody takes over):
Tire Sizing Systems

DLBroox

Ok cool. I actually read Sheldon's site last night but even after all of it I still wasn't sure about the rim size so thanks, Veganbikes, for clarifying.

veganbikes

No prob, Bob!

SquidPuppet

If you choose a tire that is available in both wire bead or folding bead, the folding will be noticeably lighter in your hand and when pedaling. More money but might be worth it to you if you are looking for more efficient acceleration.

nightfly

Gatorskins ride like crap. Depends on how much you want to sacrifice for durability. Those Challenge Strada Biancas are probably the other end of the spectrum from a comfort perspective. I like Paselas for a good compromise in an inexpensive tire. I use the T-Serve Messengers which I'm not sure they still make or perhaps have been re-named. Not as harsh as Gatorskins yet still durable.

DLBroox

Panaracer T Serve Protex? They are marketed as the tires bike messengers use the most. They get consistently good reviews. I was about to buy the Gatorskins but now I'll have to think about it. The Strada Biancas are too pricey.

jacobsever

So many people suggesting 28's.

Am I the only person here that rides 700x23?

seau grateau

I have 23's on my track bike. Road bike has 25's and is probably gonna stay there, SS beater/cushy bike has 28's. 23's on the road are fine IMO, but I think the little extra cush of 25's is nicer. Some articles lately are saying 28 is the new 25, which was the new 23.

Unkle Rico

I run around on 25's -- there are some poopey roads around here, i'm surprised you havent had any issues with the 23's!

hairnet

I have some parts bin 23mm tires on my track bike after not having used that size for like four years. Currently looking at options for a larger size so I get off that crap.

IAmSam

I am blithely riding along on 23's on all my road(ish) bikes...

In fact - just switched back to skinnies from 28s on my Bridgestone roadie, which of course was made to accept bigger tires, & is a bike that it seems everybody loves to shove in the fattest they can.

Apparently as usual, I am heading the wrong direction from what's trending