Tire width question
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Tire width question
I not familiar with tires. I’m looking at either buying a bike with
700/38c It’s a hybrid
or
26 x 2.3 Says multi use
I’m just doing family trail riding. Either paved or gravel. The shop says either is fine. But there appears to be such a difference in appearance.
Just not sure what criteria to look for with a tire. (I don’t want a skinny rode bike but did want a mountain bike tire either... was hoping for something in the middle)
700/38c It’s a hybrid
or
26 x 2.3 Says multi use
I’m just doing family trail riding. Either paved or gravel. The shop says either is fine. But there appears to be such a difference in appearance.
Just not sure what criteria to look for with a tire. (I don’t want a skinny rode bike but did want a mountain bike tire either... was hoping for something in the middle)
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sin City, Nevada
Posts: 2,886
Bikes: Catrike 700, Greenspeed GTO trike, , Linear LWB recumbent, Haluzak Horizon SWB recumbent, Balance 450 MTB, Cannondale SM800 Beast of the East
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 523 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 229 Times
in
181 Posts
For the 700 X 38C, 38 mm = 1.49 inches. So, one bike has tires that are 1.5" and the other has a tire that is 2.3 inches wide. There is also a difference in the diameter of the rims. The 700C wheel has a bead seat diameter of 622 mm. The decimal 26 wheel is probably 559 mm for the same measurement.
Comfort is going to be a combination of tire pressure and width. A wider. lower pressure tire takes up more road shock but will be somewhat slower.
Comfort is going to be a combination of tire pressure and width. A wider. lower pressure tire takes up more road shock but will be somewhat slower.
#3
Junior Member
Either is fine. But the wider tire will make a big difference in any loose gravel, mud, or sand. I would suggest go with the one with wider tire, and if you end up doing a lot of miles, and want to go in that direction, then you will have refined your interest and could switch at that point. For now, for around the neighborhood and parks, I suggest the wider tire.
Regarding speed: if you are interested in fun and fitness, speed is not really relevant. Being at one level of exertion for an hour will get you fit whether you do this with a heavier bike for 9 miles or a lighter bike for 12 miles.
Regarding speed: if you are interested in fun and fitness, speed is not really relevant. Being at one level of exertion for an hour will get you fit whether you do this with a heavier bike for 9 miles or a lighter bike for 12 miles.
#4
Senior Member
Assuming you are talking about new bikes (you didn't post any information about the bikes except for wheel and tire size), get the one with 700/38c because:
a) this is a good tire size for type of riding you are describing - 2.3 inch is just unnecessary (and will probably be some kind of MTB tires);
b) 26 inch wheel size is obsolete and pretty much dead - it was popular before but nowadays it is pretty mostly reserved to the lowest end of the low end bikes, it is becoming more and more difficult to find decent tires for 26 inch wheels.
a) this is a good tire size for type of riding you are describing - 2.3 inch is just unnecessary (and will probably be some kind of MTB tires);
b) 26 inch wheel size is obsolete and pretty much dead - it was popular before but nowadays it is pretty mostly reserved to the lowest end of the low end bikes, it is becoming more and more difficult to find decent tires for 26 inch wheels.
Likes For Oso Polar:
#5
Junior Member
26 inch wheels are not obsolete...
Assuming you are talking about new bikes (you didn't post any information about the bikes except for wheel and tire size), get the one with 700/38c because:
a) this is a good tire size for type of riding you are describing - 2.3 inch is just unnecessary (and will probably be some kind of MTB tires);
b) 26 inch wheel size is obsolete and pretty much dead - it was popular before but nowadays it is pretty mostly reserved to the lowest end of the low end bikes, it is becoming more and more difficult to find decent tires for 26 inch wheels.
a) this is a good tire size for type of riding you are describing - 2.3 inch is just unnecessary (and will probably be some kind of MTB tires);
b) 26 inch wheel size is obsolete and pretty much dead - it was popular before but nowadays it is pretty mostly reserved to the lowest end of the low end bikes, it is becoming more and more difficult to find decent tires for 26 inch wheels.
It is rare for a road bike. Nowhere does the OP say he wants a road bike.
#6
Senior Member
Of course they are obsolete. And he is not looking into mountain biking, he is looking into "family trail riding. Either paved or gravel" and for this type of riding hybrid with 38 mm tires will be a better choice. But of course it'll be better to know more details about bikes we are comparing, just wheel and tire size is not much info.
Likes For Oso Polar:
#7
Junior Member
26 inch tires are obsolete. OK, got it.
Of course they are obsolete. And he is not looking into mountain biking, he is looking into "family trail riding. Either paved or gravel" and for this type of riding hybrid with 38 mm tires will be a better choice. But of course it'll be better to know more details about bikes we are comparing, just wheel and tire size is not much info.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Singapore
Posts: 470
Bikes: Voodoo Hoodoo, Linus Libertine
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 106 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
9 Posts
I not familiar with tires. I’m looking at either buying a bike with
700/38c It’s a hybrid
or
26 x 2.3 Says multi use
I’m just doing family trail riding. Either paved or gravel. The shop says either is fine. But there appears to be such a difference in appearance.
Just not sure what criteria to look for with a tire. (I don’t want a skinny rode bike but did want a mountain bike tire either... was hoping for something in the middle)
700/38c It’s a hybrid
or
26 x 2.3 Says multi use
I’m just doing family trail riding. Either paved or gravel. The shop says either is fine. But there appears to be such a difference in appearance.
Just not sure what criteria to look for with a tire. (I don’t want a skinny rode bike but did want a mountain bike tire either... was hoping for something in the middle)
But tires can be changed if you realise you need bigger/smaller.
#10
Senior Member
I don't know much but I do know that when my gravel trail turned into a mud puddle I was not feeling too confident about my 700x38 tires.
I think I would prefer a wider tire. I'd rather be a little too wide than a little too narrow.
I think I would prefer a wider tire. I'd rather be a little too wide than a little too narrow.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 444
Bikes: 1990 Trek 850, 2005 Cannondale R1000, 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 35 Times
in
21 Posts
Perhaps in your experience, but what Oso Polar wrote very much aligns with my experience. Every 2-3 years when I need to get new inner tubes and/or tires for my 26" bike, I find smaller and smaller selection locally. Now I am often left with one model/size and the option to take-it-or-leave it.
700x38c on the other hand is an extremely popular tire size and the selection of tires in this size has just exploded in the last 3-4 years due to the rise of gravel biking.
700x38c on the other hand is an extremely popular tire size and the selection of tires in this size has just exploded in the last 3-4 years due to the rise of gravel biking.
#12
Hack
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,265
Bikes: TrueNorth CX bike, 88 Bianchi Strada (currently Sturmey'd), Yess World Cup race BMX, Pure Cruiser race BMX, RSD Mayor v3 Fatbike
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 347 Post(s)
Liked 190 Times
in
132 Posts
Perhaps in your experience, but what Oso Polar wrote very much aligns with my experience. Every 2-3 years when I need to get new inner tubes and/or tires for my 26" bike, I find smaller and smaller selection locally. Now I am often left with one model/size and the option to take-it-or-leave it.
700x38c on the other hand is an extremely popular tire size and the selection of tires in this size has just exploded in the last 3-4 years due to the rise of gravel biking.
700x38c on the other hand is an extremely popular tire size and the selection of tires in this size has just exploded in the last 3-4 years due to the rise of gravel biking.
#13
I'm the anecdote.
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: S.E. Texas
Posts: 1,822
Bikes: '12 Schwinn, '13 Norco
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 1,176 Times
in
795 Posts
Cruiser tires. Still loads of 26" cruiser (and BMX type) tires being made. Definitely heavier and slower than 700x38s, but semi-slick cruiser tires have a lot of beginner inspiring grip and do well on off road trails without having to get off road or gravel tires.
For me, it would depend on the bike type whether I'd want 700x38 or 26x2.3.
An urban/town/commuting/hybrid type bike? Give me the 38s or bump it up to as wide as 44s.
A cruiser or old school MTB? Give me some semi-slick 26x2.0 to 2.3 tires.
For me, it would depend on the bike type whether I'd want 700x38 or 26x2.3.
An urban/town/commuting/hybrid type bike? Give me the 38s or bump it up to as wide as 44s.
A cruiser or old school MTB? Give me some semi-slick 26x2.0 to 2.3 tires.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 444
Bikes: 1990 Trek 850, 2005 Cannondale R1000, 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 35 Times
in
21 Posts
There are still loads of bikes being sold with 26" wheels. Not as many as when it was the MTB standard size, but more than enough for continued industry support. 7 speed cassettes and 27x 1-3/8 tires are still readily available, and neither of those have been commonly sold on new bikes since the 1980s.
#15
I'm the anecdote.
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: S.E. Texas
Posts: 1,822
Bikes: '12 Schwinn, '13 Norco
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 1,176 Times
in
795 Posts
Yeah, no local shop seems to ever have the tires (or parts) I'm looking for. Seems like the shop tire selection around here is mostly for roadies or gravel bikes. Which makes sense as that's where the money is for local shops here. Those two groups wear out their tires at a much faster rate than bike riders like me. Partly due to me buying tires with more tread thickness and partly due to me putting in less miles.
Last edited by FiftySix; 07-18-20 at 08:17 AM.
Likes For FiftySix:
#16
I'm the anecdote.
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: S.E. Texas
Posts: 1,822
Bikes: '12 Schwinn, '13 Norco
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 1,176 Times
in
795 Posts
I not familiar with tires. I’m looking at either buying a bike with
700/38c It’s a hybrid
or
26 x 2.3 Says multi use
I’m just doing family trail riding. Either paved or gravel. The shop says either is fine. But there appears to be such a difference in appearance.
Just not sure what criteria to look for with a tire. (I don’t want a skinny rode bike but did want a mountain bike tire either... was hoping for something in the middle)
700/38c It’s a hybrid
or
26 x 2.3 Says multi use
I’m just doing family trail riding. Either paved or gravel. The shop says either is fine. But there appears to be such a difference in appearance.
Just not sure what criteria to look for with a tire. (I don’t want a skinny rode bike but did want a mountain bike tire either... was hoping for something in the middle)