Experienced cyclists please help me! Hybrid bike/tyres suck for off road...
Hi everyone!
I finally broke the bank and bought my new bike - a Scott Sportster 30. It's a sweet looking bike, and I thought that by getting a hybrid I could have the best of both worlds. Much to my disappointment, not so.
I have been plagued with flat rear tyres every time I go off road. As well, the tyres (even the well treaded ones) are much to thin to get any grip.
Yes, yes I know. Hybrids aren't meant for heavy mountain biking. I have been told this by every bike shop I have sought advice from. I get it. I am an idiot. Basically, I'm told there is nothing I can do about it.
That's were you come in. Is there any one here who can give me some novel advice about how I could get some decent mountain biking in with my hybrid bike?
Bigger tyres - won't fit on my rims. I would certainly buy wider rims with mountain bike tyres... if that is possible, but most ppl tell me that they won't fit my bike. Any bright ideas?
I posted a couple of pics of the bike with the useless tyres that I have on now.
I would really appreciate your input...
Rob
Tags: maintenance, puncture, tyres
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gary Mills on -
The only thing stopping wider tyres fitting your bike is the frame clearance of the seat and chainstays. Your rims will accept wider tyres. Try some 29er MTB tyres, these use the same size wheels as on your hybrid. Maybe a 29er would have been a better fit for you as you could use any mtb tyres or street hybrid tyres.
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Permalink Reply by Carl Neadley on -
Have you tried thorn-resistant tubes and/or tyre liners ? Will definitely help reduce number of punctures. Both my wife and I have significantly reduced the number of punctures on the hybrid bike by doing so.
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Permalink Reply by Dstone on -
I have done some of the Lynton XC trails on my CX bike using very simmilar tyres with no probs even todays strada ride hit some ugly rock sections but we were all running 85psi. Good CX tyres will be your best bet for the Scott. Even if they did fit bBy the time you did new wheels, rotors, cass, tyres, tubes rim tape etc you would be a good way towards a MTB.
Also where do you wantto ride? What do you consider decent MTBing?
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Permalink Reply by Biffidus on -
If you have 700c wheels then I'm told the Vittoria Randonneur Cross tyres are worth a look. They'd be ok for dirt or packed gravel paths and have excellent puncture resistance.
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Miller on -
Yes, excellent tyres, been using these for a few years. Really puncture proof good on anything upto loose dirt.
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Permalink Reply by Notthefirst Brett on -
I like the randonneurs on my old roadie, but what you have there look like they should be fine for most trail riding to me as long as you get the flat issues sorted. Grip is overrated anyway ;-)
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Permalink Reply by Roger ... on -
you might be getting pinch flats from an under inflated rear tyre. when you go over rocks and holes if the rim bottoms out against the tyre it cuts the tube this usually happens on the back wheel. You could consider some new rim tape but if you a dead sure there isn't a broken thorn or glasss stusk in the tyre that only pokes out into the tube under load... maybe try the rear tyre on the front for a while.
BTW your bike looks great for XC trails and single track riding
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Permalink Reply by David on -
What exactly is causing your flats? Are you pinch flatting or getting debris in the tyre? If it's debris (thorns?), then you may want to look at different tyres. If you're pinch flatting, increase your tyre pressure or work on your technique. That said, the more pressure you run, the less traction you'll have. It's a trade off and you'll need to find what works for you.
If it helps, I ride cyclocross, 29er and 26" MTBs. I weigh about 70kg and the CX bike with 35mm tubed tyres generally has about 45/55 psi (F/R) for trail riding and 30/35 psi (F/R) for racing. My 29er with tubed 2.1" tyres is generally around 28/30 psi (F/R). The 26" MTB is tubeless and the pressures are a bit lower.
Anyway, if you're looking for something more agressive that will fit in that frame, then I'd check out a 700x45 Panaracer Fire Cross, or one of the narrower 29er tyres. I have a few spare 29x2.0/2.1" tyres if you want to try them for fit.
Also, if you're not aware, 29er and 700c tyres share the same bead diameter, 622mm. Generally speaking, a 29er tyre is a 700c tyre with a larger rolling diameter, which is somewhere around 29".
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Permalink Reply by Jeremy Miller on
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Sounds like you need some bigger air (volume) tyres that you can run at lower pressure. I've got some 700x40 tyres mounted on velocity cliffhanger rims on my touring bike, you would be welcome to size this up in your frame some time. Cheers....
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Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on -
I would be checking the tire pressures.
Tires need to be checked regularly (at least once pre week) a floor pump with a gauge is useful for this.
if the tire noticeably bulge when you sit on the bike or you can press the tire in more than 1-2 mm with your thumb more air may be needed.
If you are getting lots of thorns in your tires some sort of tire sealant may be worth considering.
Stan's no flats would be a starting point but there are several products available.
I have not used these so cant recommend a particular product.
As long as you are prepared to keep to formed tracks the hybrid should be fine.
if you ride much bitumen the hybrid will be a lot better than a MTB
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Permalink Reply by Rob Wismer on -
Wow - thanks for all the input guys! I am seriously clueless about all of the tire sizes...
I was getting all my flats in Melrose which had some steep hills and at Flinders Ranges National Park which had lots of sharp rocks. I may have been under inflating my tyres and getting a "pinch flat" as some of you suggested. Maybe the tyres I have on now (Schwalbe Smart Sam 37-622 (28X1.40-700X35C) will be alright?
I have just purchased some thorn resistant filler that was injected into my tubes. Possibly that will help, however I'm going to take a look at some of the bigger air volume tyres you guys suggested (more grip, less dig - I am 85 kg on thin tyres). I looked at the Vittoria Randonneur Cross and 29er MTB tyres online - they look a little narrow in the pictures - is their any place/shop in Adelaide where I could size them up on my bike? (the shops around Marion haven't been as supportive as you guys!) Maybe I could meet up with David or Jeremy and take a look at your tyres?
I'm glad to hear that my bike will be ok for XC riding!!! I was really disappointed after my 1st real ride up near Wilpena Pound, but now you all got me pumped up o ride again!
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Permalink Reply by Don (Who's lost?) Nairn on
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another issue on the flat tires is.
often you can pick up several foreign body's at one event.
for instance three corner jacks are the seed of a plant and it is possible to get several at the same time.
however only one may cause a flat.
The other thorns sit in the tire and work their way though over time.
These may cause a puncture several rides later.
To reduce this you can inspect the tires carefully for thorns and glass stuck in them.
If you need help with this there is the community bike workshop that is open Saturday mornings.
Another issue may me that cycling is a skill that requires fitness if you have not done regular riding even if you are reasonably fit the muscles used for cycling may be different than for say running.
Regular riding will help this.
The best bike does not make the fastest cyclist.
Strong legs and fitness help as well.
Most reasonable bike shops will be able to give you some hints on what will fit.
If you live in the northern suburbs Gary from star cycles will make an honest effort to sort things out.
If you don't it may still be worth going and seeing him if the local bike shop seems unhelpful.
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