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Tyre resistance/pressures etc?

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Discussion starter · #22 ·
nwberm said:
If it feels like you're pedaling in wet concrete, don't look at the tires only. There could be other sources of friction in your brakes, drivetrain, bottom bracket, etc.

Have you had someone experienced look at it?
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Thank you. Yes. It’s been fully serviced with worn components replaced so I think tyres would be my first port of call.
 
Discussion starter · #23 ·
eb1888 said:
The internal width of your rim is 18mm.
It's not a mountain bike rim and the tire you're using shouldn't be spec'd for it.
More often that rim gets2.0" or even lesser width gravel bike tires.
Which is good in your usage because those will have much less aggressive tread and can roll faster.
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Thank you. I’d realised the tyres exceed the rims recommend width so that can’t help. I think I’ll got for 2.0”
 
Discussion starter · #24 ·
wayold said:
Yes you can put in tubes. You probably won't need to change tubes, but it depends. Tubes are sized by diameter and width. Look at the side of the tube (or the box they came in) and see if 2.2 falls into your range. In all honesty, for your use case without mud I'd probably go even smaller than 2.2. I still have an old 26" MTB that came with 2.0" knobby tires. It would be fine on the terrain you describe, but as others have suggested, I'd look for lower profile knobs - or possibly even slicks/semi-slicks. Slicks will be noticeably faster, but have poor traction on wet or loose terrain.

PS. Your pressure may also be off. For a good initial estimate on pressure try an online tire pressure calculator - I like this one.
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Thanks for this. I’m feeling a lot more confident about this now.
 
#25 ·
@Mookistar since your UK based it might be worth putting up a wanted ad on the SingleTrackWorld Classifieds for 26" XC tyres. Plenty of serial tyre swappers on there who may have stockpiles in their shed.

singletrackworld.com

Classifieds

Create an Ad Manage your Ads Wanted Rules View Active Categories
singletrackworld.com singletrackworld.com

That's where I got my last couple of 26" Schwalbes before I sold the bike.
 
Discussion starter · #26 ·
citizenlee said:
@Mookistar since your UK based it might be worth putting up a wanted ad on the SingleTrackWorld Classifieds for 26" XC tyres. Plenty of serial tyre swappers on there who may have stockpiles in their shed.

singletrackworld.com

Classifieds

Create an Ad Manage your Ads Wanted Rules View Active Categories
singletrackworld.com singletrackworld.com

That's where I got my last couple of 26" Schwalbes before I sold the bike.
Click to expand...
Thanks mate. I signed up for the sig track world forum but it’s an absolute car crash 😡. I’ll try again though and take that advice. There’s some used sets on eBay as well.
 
#28 ·
#30 ·
This sounds weird but its true: the more inflexible stuff you must flex on each wheel revolution the slower the tire rolls.

Theres a big benefit from going tubeless because those thin little tubes take work to flex. When you get to high end race tires they feel great and fast because theyre so flexible.

Move down to wire bead tires they feel bad because the casing is often thicker and much less flexible.

Everything will feel better than those tractor tires you are running but… there a reason the folding tires are better and its nothing to do with them being foldable. Probably though its not worth buying the best tires unless you run them tubeless.

stuffs hard to believe but someday youll ride fast tubeless tires and feel the difference. Fast tires run tubeless feel awesome.
 
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#31 ·
The Mezcals are a good fast MTB/gravel tire and more than adequate for the terrain you describe. If you really wanted to minimize rolling resistance I probably would have erred toward a bit less width and a bit less tread, but perfect is the enemy of good enough and the Mezcals should work well. Make sure to properly inflate (i.e less pressure may be better - check the online calculators).
 
Discussion starter · #32 ·
wayold said:
The Mezcals are a good fast MTB/gravel tire and more than adequate for the terrain you describe. If you really wanted to minimize rolling resistance I probably would have erred toward a bit less width and a bit less tread, but perfect is the enemy of good enough and the Mezcals should work well. Make sure to properly inflate (i.e less pressure may be better - check the online calculators).
Click to expand...
I'm still open to suggestions. Just want to keep costs down until I know I am fully committed :LOL:
 
Discussion starter · #33 ·
eri said:
This sounds weird but its true: the more inflexible stuff you must flex on each wheel revolution the slower the tire rolls.

Theres a big benefit from going tubeless because those thin little tubes take work to flex. When you get to high end race tires they feel great and fast because theyre so flexible.

Move down to wire bead tires they feel bad because the casing is often thicker and much less flexible.

Everything will feel better than those tractor tires you are running but… there a reason the folding tires are better and its nothing to do with them being foldable. Probably though its not worth buying the best tires unless you run them tubeless.

stuffs hard to believe but someday youll ride fast tubeless tires and feel the difference. Fast tires run tubeless feel awesome.
Click to expand...
I’m starting to understand this more now. I don’t think I can justify tubeless/foldable just yet but if I can improve things enough to get me into a proper habit, then I can justify upgrading.
Thanks for the insight.
 
#34 ·
Sure get some skinnier tires with less knobs and you will find it easier to pedal. But the main issue is that you are heavy and unfit. That is the main issue with your range, not the tires.
Keep riding at least 3 days per week and look at changing your diet for healthier living and less weight. The gains you will make will by replacing tires will be minimal. The gains you can make by increasing fitness, reducing weight and living a healthier lifestyle will be extraordinary.
 
Discussion starter · #35 ·
plummet said:
Sure get some skinnier tires with less knobs and you will find it easier to pedal. But the main issue is that you are heavy and unfit. That is the main issue with your range, not the tires.
Keep riding at least 3 days per week and look at changing your diet for healthier living and less weight. The gains you will make will by replacing tires will be minimal. The gains you can make by increasing fitness, reducing weight and living a healthier lifestyle will be extraordinary.
Click to expand...
I appreciate this, although I would argue I’m fit enough to ride 5.5 miles in a poxy low gear without stopping. Some momentum would just make it more fun and it not my legs causing the drag.
 
#36 ·
Mookistar said:
I appreciate this, although I would argue I’m fit enough to ride 5.5 miles in a poxy low gear without stopping. Some momentum would just make it more fun and it not my legs causing the drag.
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I'm not trying to be offensive, but 5.5 miles in a low gear isn't very far for mtb or very fit. Your issue is mainly bike fitness. Tires might get you to 6 miles. More fitness and reduced weight will get you to 50 miles.
 
#39 ·
plummet said:
Sure get some skinnier tires with less knobs and you will find it easier to pedal. But the main issue is that you are heavy and unfit. That is the main issue with your range, not the tires.
Keep riding at least 3 days per week and look at changing your diet for healthier living and less weight. The gains you will make will by replacing tires will be minimal. The gains you can make by increasing fitness, reducing weight and living a healthier lifestyle will be extraordinary.
Click to expand...
Mookistar said:
I appreciate this, although I would argue I’m fit enough to ride 5.5 miles in a poxy low gear without stopping. Some momentum would just make it more fun and it not my legs causing the drag.
Click to expand...
To add on a bit, I even notice pedaling feels more sluggish if I eat junk or drink beer the night before a ride lol.
 
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