Slicks OK on the touring bike - If so, what kind? - Page 2

07-01-2004, 11:11 PM

In article <3x6Fc.2128$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].pas.earthlink. net>, bfd
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> "PCB" <name+[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:020720040049013196%name+[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
> > I have a Trek 520 that occasionally rolls on gravel roads
> > (slowly/carefully) and I¹d like to change out the 700x32c Conti Top
> > Touring 2000 tires for some road slicks. Would the slicks suck on
> > these roads?
> >
> > If I decide to just stay off the gravel entirely, what kind of slicks
> > can I then use?
> >
> Read the Bicycle FAQ:
>
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

OK, thanks.
From that article, I gather that the bike will ride on gravel just fine
if the tires are slick. It does leave open the possibility that slicks
might have less traction on surfaces that are softer than the tire -
But gravel is a combination of harder and softer surfaces. So I am
going with the "OK for slicks on gravel" mentality.

What kind (size, type, brand, etc) of slicks would be right and/or
preferable for my rims?

--
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¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ / / his abducted son by visiting:
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07-02-2004, 03:08 AM

"PCB" wrote:
> > > If I decide to just stay off the gravel entirely, what kind of slicks
> > > can I then use?
>
> What kind (size, type, brand, etc) of slicks would be right and/or
> preferable for my rims?

What don't you like about the Contis? You didn't mention your weight or type
of riding (loaded touring, light touring, fast day trips).

700 x 32 tires are appropriate for gravel roads. If you "decide to just stay
off gravel entirely," then depending on your weight and load, 700 x 28s or
25s might be your best bet. The Avocet Carbon 12 slicks would be a good
choice in any of those sizes.

Art Harris

07-02-2004, 03:08 AM

"PCB" wrote:
> > > If I decide to just stay off the gravel entirely, what kind of slicks
> > > can I then use?
>
> What kind (size, type, brand, etc) of slicks would be right and/or
> preferable for my rims?

What don't you like about the Contis? You didn't mention your weight or type
of riding (loaded touring, light touring, fast day trips).

700 x 32 tires are appropriate for gravel roads. If you "decide to just stay
off gravel entirely," then depending on your weight and load, 700 x 28s or
25s might be your best bet. The Avocet Carbon 12 slicks would be a good
choice in any of those sizes.

Art Harris

07-02-2004, 03:08 AM

"PCB" wrote:
> > > If I decide to just stay off the gravel entirely, what kind of slicks
> > > can I then use?
>
> What kind (size, type, brand, etc) of slicks would be right and/or
> preferable for my rims?

What don't you like about the Contis? You didn't mention your weight or type
of riding (loaded touring, light touring, fast day trips).

700 x 32 tires are appropriate for gravel roads. If you "decide to just stay
off gravel entirely," then depending on your weight and load, 700 x 28s or
25s might be your best bet. The Avocet Carbon 12 slicks would be a good
choice in any of those sizes.

Art Harris

07-02-2004, 03:08 AM

"PCB" wrote:
> > > If I decide to just stay off the gravel entirely, what kind of slicks
> > > can I then use?
>
> What kind (size, type, brand, etc) of slicks would be right and/or
> preferable for my rims?

What don't you like about the Contis? You didn't mention your weight or type
of riding (loaded touring, light touring, fast day trips).

700 x 32 tires are appropriate for gravel roads. If you "decide to just stay
off gravel entirely," then depending on your weight and load, 700 x 28s or
25s might be your best bet. The Avocet Carbon 12 slicks would be a good
choice in any of those sizes.

Art Harris

07-02-2004, 03:08 AM

"PCB" wrote:
> > > If I decide to just stay off the gravel entirely, what kind of slicks
> > > can I then use?
>
> What kind (size, type, brand, etc) of slicks would be right and/or
> preferable for my rims?

What don't you like about the Contis? You didn't mention your weight or type
of riding (loaded touring, light touring, fast day trips).

700 x 32 tires are appropriate for gravel roads. If you "decide to just stay
off gravel entirely," then depending on your weight and load, 700 x 28s or
25s might be your best bet. The Avocet Carbon 12 slicks would be a good
choice in any of those sizes.

Art Harris

07-02-2004, 07:36 AM

"PCB" <name+[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> I have a Trek 520 that occasionally rolls on gravel roads
> (slowly/carefully) and I¹d like to change out the 700x32c
> Conti Top Touring 2000 tires for some road slicks. Would
> the slicks suck on these roads?

Tread doesn't help much on gravel, but breadth and the resulting ability to
use lower pressures without suffering pinch-flats is useful. I've toured a
lot of dirt roads with 25mm slicks, and it's tolerable as long as you keep
the pressure high and get out of the saddle.

> If I decide to just stay off the gravel entirely, what kind of slicks
> can I then use?

Anything that isn't too narrow for your rim or too fat to fit your frame. I
don't know what rims your Trek uses.

James Thomson

07-02-2004, 07:36 AM

"PCB" <name+[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> I have a Trek 520 that occasionally rolls on gravel roads
> (slowly/carefully) and I¹d like to change out the 700x32c
> Conti Top Touring 2000 tires for some road slicks. Would
> the slicks suck on these roads?

Tread doesn't help much on gravel, but breadth and the resulting ability to
use lower pressures without suffering pinch-flats is useful. I've toured a
lot of dirt roads with 25mm slicks, and it's tolerable as long as you keep
the pressure high and get out of the saddle.

> If I decide to just stay off the gravel entirely, what kind of slicks
> can I then use?

Anything that isn't too narrow for your rim or too fat to fit your frame. I
don't know what rims your Trek uses.

James Thomson

07-02-2004, 07:36 AM

"PCB" <name+[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> I have a Trek 520 that occasionally rolls on gravel roads
> (slowly/carefully) and I¹d like to change out the 700x32c
> Conti Top Touring 2000 tires for some road slicks. Would
> the slicks suck on these roads?

Tread doesn't help much on gravel, but breadth and the resulting ability to
use lower pressures without suffering pinch-flats is useful. I've toured a
lot of dirt roads with 25mm slicks, and it's tolerable as long as you keep
the pressure high and get out of the saddle.

> If I decide to just stay off the gravel entirely, what kind of slicks
> can I then use?

Anything that isn't too narrow for your rim or too fat to fit your frame. I
don't know what rims your Trek uses.

James Thomson

07-02-2004, 07:36 AM

"PCB" <name+[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> I have a Trek 520 that occasionally rolls on gravel roads
> (slowly/carefully) and I¹d like to change out the 700x32c
> Conti Top Touring 2000 tires for some road slicks. Would
> the slicks suck on these roads?

Tread doesn't help much on gravel, but breadth and the resulting ability to
use lower pressures without suffering pinch-flats is useful. I've toured a
lot of dirt roads with 25mm slicks, and it's tolerable as long as you keep
the pressure high and get out of the saddle.

> If I decide to just stay off the gravel entirely, what kind of slicks
> can I then use?

Anything that isn't too narrow for your rim or too fat to fit your frame. I
don't know what rims your Trek uses.

James Thomson