Change tires to something a bit more road-friendly
08-23-21, 01:32 PM
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Change tires to something a bit more road-friendly
I currently have 29”x2.4 tires. But as my age keeps creeping up (76) I find I am riding more and more on the streets, and less up into the mountains.
My bike is a Specialized Rockhopper Expert. The rim specs are Stout 29, 26mm inner width, 28/32h.
I live in Puerto Vallarta, where the road surfaces transition between concrete, asphalt, cobblestone, and dirt with no rhyme or reason. Any ride over about 10 miles will touch all 4 road surfaces, so whatever tire I switch to needs to be able to do this, and also handle the occasional ride up into the mountains.
What is the narrowest tire/tube I can put on these rims that covers these road conditions?
Thanks!
My bike is a Specialized Rockhopper Expert. The rim specs are Stout 29, 26mm inner width, 28/32h.
I live in Puerto Vallarta, where the road surfaces transition between concrete, asphalt, cobblestone, and dirt with no rhyme or reason. Any ride over about 10 miles will touch all 4 road surfaces, so whatever tire I switch to needs to be able to do this, and also handle the occasional ride up into the mountains.
What is the narrowest tire/tube I can put on these rims that covers these road conditions?
Thanks!
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08-24-21, 07:12 AM
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I currently have 29”x2.4 tires. But as my age keeps creeping up (76) I find I am riding more and more on the streets, and less up into the mountains.
My bike is a Specialized Rockhopper Expert. The rim specs are Stout 29, 26mm inner width, 28/32h.
I live in Puerto Vallarta, where the road surfaces transition between concrete, asphalt, cobblestone, and dirt with no rhyme or reason. Any ride over about 10 miles will touch all 4 road surfaces, so whatever tire I switch to needs to be able to do this, and also handle the occasional ride up into the mountains.
What is the narrowest tire/tube I can put on these rims that covers these road conditions?
Thanks!
My bike is a Specialized Rockhopper Expert. The rim specs are Stout 29, 26mm inner width, 28/32h.
I live in Puerto Vallarta, where the road surfaces transition between concrete, asphalt, cobblestone, and dirt with no rhyme or reason. Any ride over about 10 miles will touch all 4 road surfaces, so whatever tire I switch to needs to be able to do this, and also handle the occasional ride up into the mountains.
What is the narrowest tire/tube I can put on these rims that covers these road conditions?
Thanks!
I just think it’s awesome that you’re 75 and still ride 10miles.
08-26-21, 09:48 AM
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Just get a set of Hookworms. They roll fairly fast, but are still cushy on broken pavement and sticky enough for moderate dirt.
09-02-21, 09:48 AM
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fwiw - when I had a 26" MTB I really enjoyed Maxxis Holy Rollers
09-03-21, 10:03 AM
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Ive been using Kenda Kosmic Lite 2 tires mostly for off road, but they're also excellent on the surfaces you're riding. Can't believe how a light tire with minimal tread and low rolling resistance is so sticky on trails. Don't know whether they're still available.
09-05-21, 06:55 AM
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Whichever tire you get isn't as important as the overall diameter. Stay close to what the bike was designed for. You can go .1 or .2" smaller, but not more. You could look for some 29x2.2 gravel tires.
09-29-21, 11:40 AM
#9
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I currently have 29”x2.4 tires. But as my age keeps creeping up (76) I find I am riding more and more on the streets, and less up into the mountains.
My bike is a Specialized Rockhopper Expert. The rim specs are Stout 29, 26mm inner width, 28/32h.
I live in Puerto Vallarta, where the road surfaces transition between concrete, asphalt, cobblestone, and dirt with no rhyme or reason. Any ride over about 10 miles will touch all 4 road surfaces, so whatever tire I switch to needs to be able to do this, and also handle the occasional ride up into the mountains.
What is the narrowest tire/tube I can put on these rims that covers these road conditions?
Thanks!
My bike is a Specialized Rockhopper Expert. The rim specs are Stout 29, 26mm inner width, 28/32h.
I live in Puerto Vallarta, where the road surfaces transition between concrete, asphalt, cobblestone, and dirt with no rhyme or reason. Any ride over about 10 miles will touch all 4 road surfaces, so whatever tire I switch to needs to be able to do this, and also handle the occasional ride up into the mountains.
What is the narrowest tire/tube I can put on these rims that covers these road conditions?
Thanks!
2nd- I would stick with a XC style tire in the 2.2- 2.25 width range. I now ride a chunkier tire, but have ridden the Bontrager XR1's and thought they were a great all around tire for light trails(like harder packed dirt) as well as street. This style tire will give you a smoother ride while on street but still take the other 3 surfaces you encounter.
Keep on pedaling!
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09-29-21, 01:17 PM
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What about a more gravel-like tire, like a Terravail Sparwood? My salsa fargo came with them in 29 x 2.3
09-30-21, 10:56 AM
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Maxxis makes a wide range of tires for different conditions and rider preferences. Be aware that a narrower tire is not going to reduce rolling resistance but will make the ride harsher as you would need to run at a higher PSI. A 25mm tire for example has 18% more air volume and so can be run at 20-25 percent lower PSI without impacting rolling resistance.
The more a tire flexes and squirms the more effort to move it along and this is a function of the tread, tread compounds, and the sidewalls. I would consider durability and minimizing flats in your search.
The Maxxis Rekon Race is a good compromise tire with lower rolling resistance and still good handling on dirt. Not optimum for the front tire on soft surfaces where braking and traction are important. I run with the Rekon Race on the rear wheel and the Maxxis Minion DHF on the front wheel. For generally flat terrain you could use the Rekon Race on both wheels or put the standard Rekon on the front wheel.
The more a tire flexes and squirms the more effort to move it along and this is a function of the tread, tread compounds, and the sidewalls. I would consider durability and minimizing flats in your search.
The Maxxis Rekon Race is a good compromise tire with lower rolling resistance and still good handling on dirt. Not optimum for the front tire on soft surfaces where braking and traction are important. I run with the Rekon Race on the rear wheel and the Maxxis Minion DHF on the front wheel. For generally flat terrain you could use the Rekon Race on both wheels or put the standard Rekon on the front wheel.
