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Anyone using 700cX40 tires?

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Anyone using 700cX40 tires?

Old 06-19-12, 05:37 PM
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kjmillig
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Anyone using 700cX40 tires?

I recently bought a new Wheeler hybrid that came with 700cX40 Kenda tires. This is my first bike with 700c wheels and the 40s seem really big at first glance (maybe that's only because I was riding a commuter bike with 26"X 1.25 smooth tires).
Does anyone here use such wide tires? Do you notice a slowness in handling or increased rolling resistance? I'm wondering if it's just a case of getting used to the new bike and larger rims.
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Old 06-19-12, 06:47 PM
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lbautista23
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my bike actually came with 700x40. i swapped mines out after a few rides. went with a 700x32 specialized infinity armadillo.
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Old 06-19-12, 07:47 PM
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I doubt you'd notice a huge difference swapping them for 32s...

Mine has 35s and I swapped them for 28s at one stage...the only difference I experienced was feeling a little less comfortable on some little off-road trails I like riding on. I put the 35s back on.
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Old 06-19-12, 09:43 PM
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When I got my hybrid, they had Specialized Armadillo Flak jackets in 35MM.
What SLUGS they were! They made the 26x1.50" on my "grocery getter" seen like race tires.
I couldn't believe how a "street" tread could be such a pig. Heavy to accelerate and I had to work my butt off to maintain speed.

You should be able to go as small as 25-26MM without issue.
The difference will amaze you. Even a 28MM (1.125") will be "fab"!
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Old 06-19-12, 10:30 PM
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My bike came with 700x42 tires but I have nothing to compare to. I did try a bike with 700x32 which was more zippy but I did not ride it extensively.
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Old 06-20-12, 05:44 AM
  #6  
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Are the Kenda's smooth too?
I've been using 700 x 40 semi-slicks (Michelin Citys) on my hybrid for about a year now and they are plenty fast for me. I pump them up hard. The rolling resitance of them is no problem at all, and I do mostly brisk road rinding. I do not feel as though they are too slow on the road (for a hybrid). However, this is compared to 26 x 1.85 semi-slicks (same type of Michelins) I used to ride on my MTB on the road. Seems like there might be slightly more rolling resistance since your 700 x 40s are wider than what you're used to. I'd give it a month or two of riding to draw your conclusion. The 40s may be doable.
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Old 06-20-12, 06:11 AM
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Originally Posted by kjmillig
I recently bought a new Wheeler hybrid that came with 700cX40 Kenda tires. This is my first bike with 700c wheels and the 40s seem really big at first glance (maybe that's only because I was riding a commuter bike with 26"X 1.25 smooth tires).
Does anyone here use such wide tires? Do you notice a slowness in handling or increased rolling resistance? I'm wondering if it's just a case of getting used to the new bike and larger rims.
Commuting usually in-tales riding on asphalt. What are you using the bike for? I couldn't image riding on asphalt with 40s, not if you plan to make any miles. Search tires in the commuting section.
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Old 06-20-12, 06:15 AM
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Originally Posted by kjmillig
I recently bought a new Wheeler hybrid that came with 700cX40 Kenda tires. This is my first bike with 700c wheels and the 40s seem really big at first glance (maybe that's only because I was riding a commuter bike with 26"X 1.25 smooth tires).
Does anyone here use such wide tires? Do you notice a slowness in handling or increased rolling resistance? I'm wondering if it's just a case of getting used to the new bike and larger rims.
I just went from 60 psi 32c tires to 105 psi 28c tires. The 32c tires may as well have been glued to the forks in comparison. Greatest performance mod you can make IF you are strictly riding in the street. Tread pattern being the same, the laws of physics dictate that you WILL be a difference.
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Old 06-20-12, 06:56 AM
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Pictures please 700x 40 sounds freekin hot.
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Old 06-20-12, 07:59 AM
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jsdavis
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Originally Posted by Igo
I just went from 60 psi 32c tires to 105 psi 28c tires. The 32c tires may as well have been glued to the forks in comparison. Greatest performance mod you can make IF you are strictly riding in the street. Tread pattern being the same, the laws of physics dictate that you WILL be a difference.
Good for you...

The difference in rolling resistance is negligible. The biggest difference you will notice will be due to rotational inertia which you can achieve by reducing the mass of the wheel and tire. This allows the wheel to accelerate at a higher rate. I do not know the weight of the tires you chose, but even as little as 50 or 100 grams makes a difference in how the bike feels. What is noticeable and what matters are not necessarily the same thing though.

Last edited by jsdavis; 06-20-12 at 08:07 AM.
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Old 06-20-12, 08:25 AM
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I think 40c is really pushing it. I wouldn't use anything past 38c. On the other hand 32 and 28c seem to be the sweet spot for a hybrid.
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Old 06-20-12, 03:49 PM
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The 700x38C Maxxis overdrive tires are much faster feeling than the old 1992 Specialized Nimbus tires they replaced, which were supposedly 42C tires. Those Nimbus tires from back then look almost exactly like today's Kenda Kourier K tires, too...

Edit: I messed up!!! It's not the Kourier K, but the Rain V-Cut that bears the resemblance to the old 1992 Specialized Nimbus tires, though the Kendas are smaller and thinner 38C skinwalls.
Attached Images
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51gvjVtV3hL._SL500_AA300_.jpg (18.5 KB, 443 views)

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Old 06-20-12, 06:00 PM
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kjmillig
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Kenda Kourier 700x40
https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg
Not as smooth as my previous bike, but not overly aggressive.
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Old 06-20-12, 06:20 PM
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jsdavis
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Originally Posted by luxo
I think 40c is really pushing it. I wouldn't use anything past 38c. On the other hand 32 and 28c seem to be the sweet spot for a hybrid.
Ride on some old ill maintained streets and you'll be glad you have some fat tires. That said, I ride on 42mm tires. Soaks up pot holes, sewer grates, train tracks, utility covers, you name it...It's nice to avoid them when possible, but it's super sweet knowing that I can plow through most without knocking my teeth out either.

In the end though...it really comes down to personal preference. My 42mm tires are 500g, manufacturer claim, so they're not a whole lot heavier than some 32mm tires.

Last edited by jsdavis; 06-20-12 at 06:31 PM.
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Old 06-20-12, 06:52 PM
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My K2 came with Kenda Komfort 40c's. Switched them out to Maxxis Overdrive 38c's. Not a huge difference in ride or handling, but I like the Maxxis tires more than I did Kenda's.
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Old 06-20-12, 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by jsdavis
Good for you...

The difference in rolling resistance is negligible. The biggest difference you will notice will be due to rotational inertia which you can achieve by reducing the mass of the wheel and tire. This allows the wheel to accelerate at a higher rate. I do not know the weight of the tires you chose, but even as little as 50 or 100 grams makes a difference in how the bike feels. What is noticeable and what matters are not necessarily the same thing though.
That's what I said.
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Old 06-20-12, 06:56 PM
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My Diamondback Edgewood came with 700cX40 Kenda Cross tires. I think they are great, compared to what I was riding on before. I had a Giant Sedona MTB. I had switched out the knobby tires that were on it when I bought it (used) with a brand I can no longer remember semi-slick tire. Seems like I can ride a little bit faster than before. My new bike doesn't feel quite as sluggish as my old ride did at times. Even if it's all just in my head, I like the way these tires I (and the whole bike in general) work.

Last edited by Cyclist0084; 06-20-12 at 07:00 PM. Reason: typo
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Old 06-20-12, 07:54 PM
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My Felt hybrid came with 700x38 Conti City Contacts. They roll great, and ride great. I think they're awesome.
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Old 06-21-12, 02:47 AM
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Kenda Kwest here. 700x35 (ISO 37). Very low rolling resistance, excellent wear. I have thousands of miles on them and they are now on my shopping bike.
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Old 06-22-12, 11:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Igo
That's what I said.
It is not. It is entirely possible to get big light weight tires and heavy small tires.

My 42mm tires weigh about 450g (manufacturer claimed) and there are 32mm tires out there that weigh 600-700g. In this type of scenario, it's entirely possible the 42mm tires can feel quicker because of less inertia.
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Old 06-23-12, 07:45 AM
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Feel better?
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Old 06-23-12, 08:25 AM
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I loooove my 700x57 front and 700x52 rear..
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Old 06-23-12, 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Igo
Feel better?
Not really when you are trying to takecredit for something I wrote that you do not understand nor can you explain.
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Old 06-23-12, 11:57 AM
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I'm an honors graduate with a degree in industrial mechanics. I head special projects with our mechanical engineering department with 30 years experience. Explain to me what I don't understand sunshine? You just got all pissy for nothing.
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Old 06-23-12, 01:44 PM
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I have Innova 26x1.75 (559-47) tires on my Giant, and it feels plenty fast to me. Sure, 1.25" slicks might be a little faster, but it's a hybridized MTB, I'm not going to be racing it.
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