Tyre Choice for a Hybrid?

veetwin

New to this forum and cycling I have recently bought a nice Cube Hybrid on the BTW scheme and really getting into cycling now. Doing training runs of around 35 km 3 to 4 times per week and really enjoying getting fit.

The tyres on the bike are pretty knobbly and off road orientated and I get the feeling I could be much faster with slicker more road orientated tyres. Am I wrong in this or am I just looking for an excuse to spend money:rolleyes:

Any recommendations or am I wasting my time and money?

Keep_Her_Lit

veetwin wrote: »

The tyres on the bike are pretty knobbly and off road orientated and I get the feeling I could be much faster with slicker more road orientated tyres. Am I wrong in this or am I just looking for an excuse to spend money:rolleyes:

It's probably a bit of a stretch to say that you will be much faster on slicks. However, if your current tyres are in any way knobbly, you will certainly notice the increased performance of a faster tyre.

I commute on a hybrid (when I'm not injured ) and my wheel rims are just about narrow enough to accept Continental GP4000S tyres in the 700x25 size. They also come in 700x23, which would be too narrow. My rims are 622-18. Check the width of your own (i.e. the latter two digits, 18mm in my case).

I would highly recommend these tyres. Major grin factor They are light, fast rolling and grippy. They also get overwhelmingly positive reviews from on-line buyers.

On the downside, they are a bit more fragile than typical commuter tyres. If you use off road tracks or poorly surfaced roads, they may not be a good choice. I've also had a fair few punctures but think they're worth it nevertheless.

am I wasting my time and money?

Not at all. A tyre upgrade is one of the most cost effective ways of improving your bike's performance.

Here they are:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=18796
http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;navigation=1;menu=1000,4,22,35;product=39966

John37

Keep_Her_Lit wrote: »

It's probably a bit of a stretch to say that you will be much faster on slicks. However, if your current tyres are in any way knobbly, you will certainly notice the increased performance of a faster tyre.

I commute on a hybrid (when I'm not injured ) and my wheel rims are just about narrow enough to accept Continental GP4000S tyres in the 700x25 size. They also come in 700x23, which would be too narrow. My rims are 622-18. Check the width of your own (i.e. the latter two digits, 18mm in my case).

I would highly recommend these tyres. Major grin factor They are light, fast rolling and grippy. They also get overwhelmingly positive reviews from on-line buyers.

On the downside, they are a bit more fragile than typical commuter tyres. If you use off road tracks or poorly surfaced roads, they may not be a good choice. I've also had a fair few punctures but think they're worth it nevertheless.

Not at all. A tyre upgrade is one of the most cost effective ways of improving your bike's performance.

Here they are:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=18796
http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;navigation=1;menu=1000,4,22,35;product=39966

Would there be much of a difference in spped performance between 700*28 and 700*25c tyres

veetwin

Keep_Her_Lit wrote: »

It's probably a bit of a stretch to say that you will be much faster on slicks. However, if your current tyres are in any way knobbly, you will certainly notice the increased performance of a faster tyre.

I commute on a hybrid (when I'm not injured ) and my wheel rims are just about narrow enough to accept Continental GP4000S tyres in the 700x25 size. They also come in 700x23, which would be too narrow. My rims are 622-18. Check the width of your own (i.e. the latter two digits, 18mm in my case).

I would highly recommend these tyres. Major grin factor They are light, fast rolling and grippy. They also get overwhelmingly positive reviews from on-line buyers.

On the downside, they are a bit more fragile than typical commuter tyres. If you use off road tracks or poorly surfaced roads, they may not be a good choice. I've also had a fair few punctures but think they're worth it nevertheless.

Not at all. A tyre upgrade is one of the most cost effective ways of improving your bike's performance.

Here they are:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=18796
http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;navigation=1;menu=1000,4,22,35;product=39966

Wow...thanks for the detailed reply. Will probably be down to the bike shop first thing in the morning. Nobody told me cycling was addictive and money and time consuming!

Keep_Her_Lit

John37 wrote: »

Would there be much of a difference in spped performance between 700*28 and 700*25c tyres

The 3mm increase in width from 25 to 28mm wouldn't make a big difference on its own. But many 28mm tyres will be oriented more towards commuting/touring than their narrower counterparts and will therefore have a heavier (i.e. slower) construction.

There may well be some fast 28mm road tyres available but I haven't needed to seek any out. Someone else here may be able to give you some pointers.

BailMeOut

I put a pair of Continental Sport Trac 700x28's on my Trek Hybrid and they make a huge difference. My average speed on my regular very hilly circuit immediately jumped by up to 5km/h with the tyre change. They were only €15 each and well worth it. I did not got for the 700x25's as was worried they would have been too thin for my wheels and I have been inflating them to about 100psi.

You can spend more and get the gator skins which are puncture resistant.

John37

Yeh i think the tyres are more orientated towards touring and our the origional tyres that came with the bike. I am not sure a 25mm tyre will fit on the rims. i must head to the lbs and evaluate whats available to speed up my commute time. Its long enough as it is at just over and hour each way

Keep_Her_Lit

veetwin wrote: »

Will probably be down to the bike shop first thing in the morning.

I'm fairly confident that's one purchase you won't regret.

But before rushing off, as I said, check your rim width. There should be a marking/sticker somehwere on the rim showing the size as 622-XX, where XX is the width in mm. Anything greater than 18mm may not work well (or at all) with a 700-25 tyre.

Also, be aware that Continental GP4000 and GP4000S are two different tyres. I've only used the GP4000S, though it seems that the GP4000 is also well rated, although it is slightly dearer.

Wishbone Ash

BailMeOut wrote: »

You can spend more and get the gator skins which are puncture resistant.

.......but then you will have to stay at home at the slightest hint of rain!:mad:

smacl

Nowhere near as speedy as KeepHerLits suggestions, but for a good compromise in terms of a highly puncture resistant and light tyre for a hybrid, the Marathon Supremes are good (other Marathons are considerably heavier albeit cheaper). Min size 28mm. For a punchture resistant road tyre (max size 28mm), I find the Durano plus very good.

Personally, in the late Autumn / Winter, I'd favour puncture resistance over weight, YMMV.