MTB wheels on race bike?

Xander1971

My wheels are getting killed on these pot hole ridden roads, can I put MTB wheels on my Giant SCR 2.0? Just need something to help with the amount of punctures and buckles. What do others do? any advice welcome.

kenmc

Xander1971 wrote: »

My wheels are getting killed on these pot hole ridden roads, can I put MTB wheels on my Giant SCR 2.0?

No, the brakes won't reach the rims.

Xander1971 wrote: »

Just need something to help with the amount of punctures and buckles. What do others do? any advice welcome.

I tend to avoid potholes as much as possible.
Tyres at the right pressure help too.

Xander1971

Thanks for that Ken, could I get thicker tyres for my existing wheels or tougher tubes?

kenmc

yes, the caveat being the frame clearance (i.e. you won't be able to get 38mm tyres onto that frame, you might get 28s possibly even 32s.
You can also go for puncture resist tyres e.g. armadillo/gatorskins.
Don't think there's such a thing as tougher tubes though - the first and last line of defense really is the tyre.

Harpz

what ken said

Xander1971

ok cool I'll bring it down to WheelWorx and see what Rob can fit onto her.

Thanks for the advice I reckon thicker tyres should do the job and not cost the earth either.

beans

Are you running the tyres at a very high pressure? Depending on your weight and the tyre width, you could be able to simply deflate to ~90psi...

May save buying tyres that aren't necessary, you never know

penexpers

kenmc wrote: »

Don't think there's such a thing as tougher tubes though - the first and last line of defense really is the tyre.

Actually I thought the same until I started looking at Michelin tubes. Some of them claim to be puncture resistant.

http://two-wheels.michelin.com/2w/front/affich.jsp?codeRubrique=2092004120014&lang=EN

neilled

What about finding out what types of 700 CC wheels are used on cyclocross bikes? And upgrading to a puncture resistant tire - the Kendas that are supplied on most Giants are muck.

penexpers

Cyclocross tires would usually be in the 35mm width range.

blorg

Cyclocross generally uses standard road wheels, at the high level they will be running deep section carbon same as in a road race. OP- you very possibly just need better wheels, it is possible that the ones that come stock on an SCR 2 just aren't that great. Go for wider tyres to improve comfort; they should not make any difference on the puncture/buckle front if you are correctly inflated. Good road wheels are very strong and you can ride them over all sorts of crap without difficulty (including that road to Laragh emty likes.) You will be shaken to bits but your wheels should be OK.

petethedrummer

I've had these on my SCR for alot of the winter, rain, snow and ice.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Continental_Contact_Reflective_Tyre_With_Tube/5300003707/

They're 28c, so not quite MTB thickness. Haven't had to pick one piece of glass out of them yet. And they also have a reflective strip.

blorg

I made the comment about considering the wheel quality due to my own experience with my Giant Bowery- I have had a few broken spokes on the back and had to get it trued a couple of times. I have had much better fortune with the Kenda Kontender 700x26 tyres though, only one puncture in almost 2,000km. It could be the wheel build, might be worth getting the shop to have a(nother) look at that.

blorg

Meant to add, if you are getting wider tyres get slicks, don't get cyclocross tyres (unless you want to go off-road.) My cross tyres are "like riding in treacle"* on the road.

*Stolen from another boardsie with a Tricross, but it is very true.