Putting smaller tires on a Hybrid Bike

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on February 24, 2012 at 2:07pm

Two sets  of tires is nothing.  Two sets of wheels would be handier.  A used wheelset is fairly cheap on Craigslist.  Then all you need to do is swap them when you feel like it.  

But it probably would be the most cost-effective to just buy a whole new bike of a more roadie-style for those times when you want more speed.  Decent used bikes are cheap.  You can easily spend more money modifying a bike you have to make it something else than what you ca find a quality used bike that is exactly what you want.  

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Permalink Reply by cjhart on February 24, 2012 at 6:34pm

your weight is also a factor in the tire/pressure you go with

http://www.bikequarterly.com/images/TireDrop.pdf

as far as modding the bike,  the suggestion to pick up a used bike, something different with drop bars, is a good one. a second bike is nice to have and you'll get more variety than modding the sirrus.  plus it might be about the price or less of the mods, and you already like the sirrus so why mess with it.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on February 24, 2012 at 6:44pm

I dunno that you need a winter set of tires - unless the idea is to use crappier tires in the winter cuz they'll get wrecked by all the salt. Knobbies are great for dirt, but they are not necessary for winter commuting. I ride nearly slick tires all year. This winter it has been Panaracer RibMo and they've been pretty great. Of course, this has been a super mild winter...

+1 on getting a second (or n +1) bike. I have three working bikes at the moment and I'm starting to assemble the parts for the next project. Even if it is not to solve your winter problem,  multiple bikes come in handy for lots of reasons: loaning to guests/friends, something to ride while your other bike is in the shop, etc.

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Permalink Reply by BikeBoy5 on February 27, 2012 at 7:29am

I "smalled up" the tires on my Kona hybrid after commuting for a season, went to a slick type tread as well, and noticed decrease in effort for my commute as well as an decrease in time from 30 minutes to 23 or 22.

I also went from 80 psi to 120 psi which really helped.  No increase in flats, blowouts, etc and I can tell when the psi drops to 110.  I've since had a rear wheel made for me that has a deeper cross section to help deal with the pot holes that grow overnight where they weren't the day before.

But the biggest drag on my speed/time/effort ratio is the bloody wind!  In my face on the way to work, in my face on the ride home on the reverse of the same route.  I tell myself it gives me a "better workout."

 

BikeBoy5

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Permalink Reply by Matt Talbert on March 9, 2012 at 10:04am

Thank you all for your great advice. I see there were a variety of opinions that ranged from "don't change tires" to "totally change your tires" and everywhere in between. I recently made the switch from the 32's (can't remember the brand) to Continental Sport Contact Reflex Urban 28s, and did notice a significant difference. My max speed was minimally higher, yet acceleration was much improved, as well as the smoothness of the ride. What is intriguing however is my commute through the Courtland Corridor which contains many pot holes and a few sets of train tracks. The 28's were significantly smoother on those bumps than were the 32's, which was surprising, but I certainly won't complain about that! The 32's however did not go in the garbage. I am hanging on to those for winter since they are less prone to salt, snow and ice.  Additionally, I swapped out my original ergonomic grips that slide too much with aftermarket ergonomic grips that bolt down stay in place.  The two changes were very effortless, quite economical and made significant differences in comfort, speed and smoothness.

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