Cycling Expert needed (1 Viewer)

barryd

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Mrs D has a folding mountain bike. Its a cheap one and is ok but she finds it harder to ride than her standard bike. Seems to take more effort.

Now it has big knobbly tyres on it and as she never goes off road my idea was to have the tyres changed for road ones which might also be a bit narrower.

Will this make a difference or am I talking rot as usual.
 

haganap

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Mrs D has a folding mountain bike. Its a cheap one and is ok but she finds it harder to ride than her standard bike. Seems to take more effort.

Now it has big knobbly tyres on it and as she never goes off road my idea was to have the tyres changed for road ones which might also be a bit narrower.

Will this make a difference or am I talking rot as usual.

No it will make a difference.
The thiner and smoother the easier it will be. However the biggest factor to consider will be the weight. Not the Weight of Mrs Barry but the weight of the bike....
 

MikeandCarolyn

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Your on the right track :Smile: There are tyres with a smooth centre section and light knobbling on the edges-these decrease the resistance.
Sorry I can't remember offhand what they are called,or find a link just now.

Mike

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/city-tyres/ Have a look at these-just found them

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barryd

barryd

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Cheers thanks all.

I think the bike has 26" wheels. Might well give it a go. The bike I think is 15KG. Actually that sounds a lot.

I think its one of these Link Removed

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jonandshell

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Hi Barry

My £2500 mountain bike is only just under that weight! Don't worry about the weight of the bike, just concentrate on reducing the rolling resistance with 'city' tyres pumped up well hard.

It is the rotating weight which makes the real difference in how the bike accelerates.
Light wheels and tyres count for more than a few pounds off the frame and components!

Mind you, the rider can shave off a couple of pounds by leaving a number two in the cassette toilet before embarking on a ride!!!::bigsmile:
 

callumwa

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Hi Barry

My £2500 mountain bike is only just under that weight! Don't worry about the weight of the bike, just concentrate on reducing the rolling resistance with 'city' tyres pumped up well hard.

It is the rotating weight which makes the real difference in how the bike accelerates.
Light wheels and tyres count for more than a few pounds off the frame and components!

Mind you, the rider can shave off a couple of pounds by leaving a number two in the cassette toilet before embarking on a ride!!!::bigsmile:

TOO MUCH INFORMATION...:Eeek::Eeek::Eeek:
 
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It is the rotating weight which makes the real difference in how the bike accelerates.

I would have thought and this is only a guess mind you that a bike will only accelerate as fast as you pedal it:RollEyes:

Just a thought !!:RollEyes:

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andi4x4

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Make sure you get the right 26" tyres ! 26" mountain bike wheel is not the same as a 26" road bike/hybrid/racer wheel ! Many of the modern "cross" or "Town and Country" type bikes may look like a lightweight Mountain bike, but they have 700c or even 29" wheels these days. I made that mistake many years ago before I got into racing. If you are not sure, just ask at your local cycle shop for city or street tyres for your bike and be sure to take the tyre measurement off the side of the tyre !
 

Jaws

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It is the rotating weight which makes the real difference in how the bike accelerates.

I would have thought and this is only a guess mind you that a bike will only accelerate as fast as you pedal it:RollEyes:

Just a thought !!:RollEyes:

Nope.. I can actually confirm this statement is 100% true..
In fact it is both pedal cycles AND motorcycles..
I supply carbon fibre wheels to the real triers and they cost £1200 to £2000 EACH.. They spend that sort of lolly purely cos it really does make a difference :thumb:

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Jul 24, 2009
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If the bike has rear suspension then adjust it to hard as too soft a suspension absorbs a lot of the effort from the pedals.
 

1948

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barryd;41529 Now it has big knobbly tyres on it and as she never goes off road my idea was to have the tyres changed for road ones which might also be a bit narrower. Will this make a difference or am I talking rot as usual.[/QUOTE said:
if she does not ride off road, changing tyres to road ones will certainly make a easier , and quicker ride on roads
regards

ps I am no cycle expert
 
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barryd

barryd

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Thanks everyone. So it seems its not such a daft idea then.

Not sure it has suspension but will look at that as well.

Thanks again
Barry

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