TheRailMan

Hey guys

Been a casual rider all my life, never really thought about changing things. The area i moved to has alot of bike trails and also alot of people which means I have dodge things or go off road. My bike has the regular skinny tired, can I goto a lighter wheel and slightly more off road capable tires? If so what do I need to buy?


Thanks

curbtender

You should post year and model. If it has disc brakes you should have no problem going to larger tires.

Steve B.

Probably no need for new wheels. Disc brakes offer a lot of flexibility in tire sizes, likely up to a 36mm or so.

Bike trails as in paved or gravel rail trail type ?, or off road single track with obstacles, roots, rocks etc..... ?

Trav1s

The Quick family uses two different frames depending on the number. Higher numbers are lower price point bikes with the Quick 1 being the most expensive. The lower level bikes use larger tires than the Quick 1-4. The higher level (lower numerical) bikes used carbon blade or full carbon forks.

I rode my Quick 1 Disc with the original 700x30 tires on light singletrack and it was fine. I upgraded to 700x35 and it is much better on singletrack and gravel after the swap. In my case, I think 700x38's would fit if I did not have the fenders on it. There is plenty of room around the chainstays which is generally the point of concern. Another thing to remember - tires with the same size do not necessarily have the same physical dimensions.

As replacing wheels - I'd swap the tires first and see how it work.

veganbikes

I would post some info about what bike you have or useful pictures of the current bike. Generally I wouldn't replace wheels on most hybrids but a tire is fine. Just have to figure out how much clearance you have and then go for a wider tire if possible.

TheRailMan

Sorry guys, it wont let me post a reply for 24 hours as a newbie. And it also wont let me post a picture until I get to 10 posts

Here is the answer to the questions:
It is a Quick 1 with Disc brakes, however I have no clue how to tell the year.
As for the trails, I tried to post a picture. It's a weird mix of everything including potholes and mud!

hokiefyd 

If you are interested in a lighter wheel, I'd also take the opportunity to at least consider smaller wheels, provided you have disc brakes. Your current wheels are likely 622mm (often called "700c"), but you might consider down-sizing to 584mm wheels (often called "650b") with larger tires. You may have frame clearance for 40mm, 42mm, or even 45-47mm tires...it depends a lot on things like the shape of fork blades, the shape of your seat stays and chain stays, etc. Smaller wheels with larger tires will offer several benefits that will interest you, though...lighter overall and more plush for offroad excursions.

The primary downside, besides the money involved to make the switch, is the overall diameter of the wheel and tire combination will probably be smaller than what you have now, so the whole bike will sit a centimeter or two lower and the gearing will be just a little bit shorter. Neither of these will likely be a huge detractor for you, but they're things to consider.

curbtender

You have plenty of room... may have to loose the kickstand .

TheRailMan

Oh man, cant wait to hear your comments on my other accessories. lol

TheRailMan

Hey Hokiefyd

How much does it cost to get some lighter stronger alloy wheels and slightly more off road capable tires in 700cc?

curbtender

https://www.amazon.com/Ritchey-Speed...23750810&psc=1

t2p

you can gain some versatility and shed some weight with a switch to a wider / lighter tire

one example is a Panaracer Gravel King SS - 35 or 38 mm (the 35mm GK SS actually measures close to 37mm when mounted on a Cannondale Disc 1 rim)

the steel bead OEM Schwalbe 30mm tire is approx 470 g (per tire) ; the 35mm GK SS with folding bead is approx 370 g (per tire) ... (GK SS 38mm is approx 410 g)

the more off-road capable Gravel King SK tires will weigh slightly more than the GK SS

the OEM butyl tubes are approx 145 g (per tube) - a switch to a lightweight butyl tube like a Schwalbe SV18 (110 g per tube ) could shed additional weight

just a few examples

t2p

Cannondale might offer a stand that is designed for the Quick - might fit in or near the slot on the rear portion of the chain stay

and it might weigh less than your stand

( grin )

Trav1s

Yup! Look at my bike to see the Cannondale kickstand at work.

t2p

the OEM Cannondale C3 handlebar is approx 300 g

many aftermarket handlebars in same length (or even wider) will weigh under 200 g (some close to 150 g)

hokiefyd 

The sky's the limit (seriously). A decent set of factory-built aluminum wheels with good hubs would probably be in the $300-500 range...that's the low end. Figure $1,500 and up, up, up from there for hand-built wheels with carbon fiber rims. It really does depend on what you want to spend -- there are wheels out there for every budget.

Add $50-150 for a pair of quality tires. If you're going to stick with tubes, I wouldn't spend money for tubeless-ready tires, which usually cost twice as much as "normal" tires. A tire that I think might work well for you is the Schwalbe Smart Sam. It's available in several widths that would probably work on your bike, if you want to stick with the current wheel size. And the Smart Sams are $30-40 each...so pretty reasonably priced.

TheRailMan

What do u guys think about Soma Cazadero with some 650b wheels? Could I get some more cushion for a smoother ride when I have to leave the paved stuff?

https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/som...4#attr=958,167

veganbikes

It could be a good tire, it is a Panaracer and they make a ton of tires. If it fits it could work well. Very similar to my old Continental Travel Contacts which have really been excellent all these years. However if you are mostly on the road you might get a less knobby tire but if going off road more than this would be a fine option again if it fits in your frame.

curbtender

I wouldn't put too much energy into changing your bike beyond some tires. If you are going to be riding trails more, I'd invest in a hardtail for a smoother ride.

TheRailMan

Thanks going to get the tires first. Thanks!

Trav1s

Wise advise! Found myself in a similar place and picked up an older Specialized Hardrock mountain bike (26" tires) to use for singletrack with my daughter. Once it stuck for both of us, I picked up another Specialized hardtail and gave the Hardrock to a friend.

TheRailMan

I did the exact same thing, that hardrock was heavy!

t2p

btw - awesome color !

Trav1s

For sure!