Bike (tire) question

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike (tire) question Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2007-05-08 12:49 PM

Subject: Bike (tire) question
OK, being a newbie and all I only have my Trek 3900 Mountain bike that I plan on using this year for races. Of course, it has the 26"X2" knobby tires that came standard with the bike. A friend of mine gave me a set of slicks and innertubes. They measure 26"X1.25" or maybe 26"X1.75" I think (they're in the trunk of my car and my wife took it to work.) The innertubes also do not have the standard air valves on them but a different type (forgive me for my bike lingo ignorance). My question is will these slicks work on my bike and will the innertube be OK or will I need different innertubes based on the wheels that I have?

2007-05-08 1:17 PM
in reply to: #793161

User image

Master
1609
1000500100
Gold Coast Australia.
Subject: RE: Bike (tire) question
I did the same thing for my mountain bike - I put 1.25" slicks and honestly, the difference in speed is negligable, they look better though...
I pump the tires to 65psi so they are pretty hard.
Btw, if you are new to this and want really inexpensive road bike that looks good - go to Target, they have Schwinn Prelude with alum. frame for $199.- and some other road bikes for even less...
Just don't tell anyone I said that.
2007-05-08 1:26 PM
in reply to: #793161

User image

Master
2447
200010010010010025
White Oak, Texas
Subject: RE: Bike (tire) question
I started traning with a MTB with 1.25 slicks they worked ok but therestill was a big difference when I moved tothe road bike.
2007-05-08 3:08 PM
in reply to: #793161

User image

Champion
10668
500050005001002525
Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: Bike (tire) question
The presta valve that you're talking about has a slightly smaller diameter than the schraeder valve (car-type) that you most likely have on your bike. Most likely not a problem at the pressures you'll be running, as the difference isn't large. You CAN make an adapter by cutting a piece out of another inner tube and putting a small hole in it to go over the presta valve and boot the hole up a bit. That will at least keep any sharpish edges of the valve hole from cutting the tube with any movement that might happen there.
2007-05-09 9:50 AM
in reply to: #793161

Subject: RE: Bike (tire) question
Thanks for all the usefull info.

What I get from this and other threads, the slicks don't make a huge difference but are better than the knobby tires.

What's the conventional wisdom on a department store road bikes. Am I better off with my mountain bike or a cheap new road bike? Remember - I'm new and don't plan on being in the top 3 in my age group this year.

thanks
2007-05-09 10:00 AM
in reply to: #794290

User image

Resident Curmudgeon
25290
50005000500050005000100100252525
The Road Back
Gold member
Subject: RE: Bike (tire) question

daspanglers - 2007-05-09 9:50 AM Thanks for all the usefull info. What I get from this and other threads, the slicks don't make a huge difference but are better than the knobby tires. What's the conventional wisdom on a department store road bikes. Am I better off with my mountain bike or a cheap new road bike? Remember - I'm new and don't plan on being in the top 3 in my age group this year. thanks

Stick with the mountain bike and save your money for a decent entry-level road bike. Trek, Specialized, and Giant are the most popular brands, all start around $700. You can find decent "no-name" bikes like Motobecane for ~$500 (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/motobecane_record.htm); these usually are bought online and you don't get the LBS fitting, service and support.

Department store bikes are usually crap, and are assembled by, well, department store employees.



Edited by the bear 2007-05-09 10:02 AM

2007-05-09 10:04 AM
in reply to: #794290

User image

Master
3019
20001000
West Jordan, UT
Subject: RE: Bike (tire) question

daspanglers - 2007-05-09 8:50 AM Thanks for all the usefull info. What I get from this and other threads, the slicks don't make a huge difference but are better than the knobby tires. What's the conventional wisdom on a department store road bikes. Am I better off with my mountain bike or a cheap new road bike? Remember - I'm new and don't plan on being in the top 3 in my age group this year. thanks

I think your Trek with slicks will be as fast as a dept store road bike.   If you want a road bike, wait until you can spend at least $600 or so for a "real" one.   The dept. store road bikes have awful frames and will probably weigh the same as your MTB.   If you aren't concerned with placing, just get the slicks for your Trek and have fun.  

Also, in my experience the slicks will make about a 2 mph difference on flat ground.   Don't know where you heard different, but they help a LOT.  

2007-05-09 12:58 PM
in reply to: #793161

Subject: RE: Bike (tire) question
Thanks a bunch!
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bike (tire) question Rss Feed