REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Wheels/tires for City settings

503 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by canuck88, Aug 13, 2004

Penn State

Discussion Starter · Aug 10, 2004

Well i am going to be using my mtn. bike for some use to get around campus this year while i'm at school. I am thinking the easiest way not to burn thru tires left and right is to get a wheel/tire set specifically for campus. And then swap in the mtn bike treads for when i decide to hit the trails. Anyway, I need ideas on cheap (i'm a college kid) wheels sets and tires to use. I've looked around but i don't quite understand the whole wheel tire combo thing with what tires fit what kind of wheels. Also, should i get the gears that go in the back (haven't learned the lingo yet) for the new set too? I want to be able to just use the quick release and unhook the brakes and pop the new ones on. Any advice is much appreciated.

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bdbloom

· #2 · Aug 10, 2004

If you're looking on a tight budget, head down to your LBS and see if they have some used wheels in the back. Chances are that they'll have something that's good enough for campus riding.

You'll need 26" wheels and yes, you'll need a cassette on the back wheel. You want to make sure the cassette has the same number of speeds (probably 8 or 9.) You'll also likely want to get a set of wheels that have approximately the same rim width, so you don't have to severely adjust your brakes when switching wheels. (not an issue if you're running disc brakes.)

As for tires, get a slick or a semi-slick 26" tire. Your LBS will likely have one of these, too.

Did I miss anything?

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Penn State

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 10, 2004

Thanks for the info, i guess i'll trek down to my lbs soon. Yea they are 26''ers that i have, and an 8 speed cassette. I'll make sure to get there soon, the only problem is, i really don't like my LBS too much. They have a very stuck up, if you aren't one of us, who cares attitude. So most likely i'll have to take a trip to a different one that i like much more.

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Fuelish

· #4 · Aug 11, 2004

Penn State said:
Well i am going to be using my mtn. bike for some use to get around campus this year while i'm at school. I am thinking the easiest way not to burn thru tires left and right is to get a wheel/tire set specifically for campus. And then swap in the mtn bike treads for when i decide to hit the trails. Anyway, I need ideas on cheap (i'm a college kid) wheels sets and tires to use. I've looked around but i don't quite understand the whole wheel tire combo thing with what tires fit what kind of wheels. Also, should i get the gears that go in the back (haven't learned the lingo yet) for the new set too? I want to be able to just use the quick release and unhook the brakes and pop the new ones on. Any advice is much appreciated.

Save some ca$h....just buy a set of "street" tires (slicks, whatever), and switch tires onto the same wheels - changing tires is a simple operation, taking only a few minutes (and saving you from having to shell out for another wheelset). Or just ride knobbies all the time .... In the past, I had thought about doing what you're thinking of, then decided I'm too cheap and just started switching between slicks and knobbies on my existing wheels.....gave that up and just ride my knobbies all the time, anymore.

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Penn State

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 11, 2004

How fast do you wear thru knobbies? I just don't want to have to get new tires every month.

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canuck88

· #6 · Aug 13, 2004

Swap your knobbies out for a set of Continental Town & Country tires... they're an inverted tread so they have low rolling resistance but are still stable on hardpack and other terrain (unlike slicks). Don't bother getting a 2nd set of rims unless you plan to do a lot of trail riding while at school (I have 3 sets only because I do different types of riding sometimes on a daily basis).

Penn State said:
How fast do you wear thru knobbies? I just don't want to have to get new tires every month.

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