[Molly55]

I am running 700x23c right now on an all-aluminum bike and it is fairly brutal for me. I am not any sort of athlete or long distance rider, but I have a nice commuter bike for cruising around on and getting exercise. I was thinking to make it a softer ride, I would put some cross tires on it, like in say 700x35c for example, with knobbies. I want to keep the thin tires but I could use the knobbies for cutting across fields, the park, etc. I don't need a lot of speed but I don't want or have clearance to go to a full MTB tire.

Would a slightly larger tire, with more rubber (knobbies) make the bike softer?

Is a cyclocross tire, being narrow and fairly high pressure, still faster and roll better than a normal MTB tire?

Thanks (posted this on mtbr too)

 

[gersting]

I was thinking to make it a softer ride, I would put some cross tires on it, like in say 700x35c for example, with knobbies. I want to keep the thin tires but I could use the knobbies for cutting across fields, the park, etc. I don't need a lot of speed but I don't want or have clearance to go to a full MTB tire.

Would a slightly larger tire, with more rubber (knobbies) make the bike softer?

some may debate the terminology of "softer" but a decent higher volume tire should be a bit more supple, and therefore not as punishing. They can also be run (as any tire can) at slightly lower pressure too.

Is a cyclocross tire, being narrow and fairly high pressure, still faster and roll better than a normal MTB tire?

Yes

See below for my favorite cross tire
http://www.vittoria.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8095&Itemid=120

 

[pretender]

Run 32c slicks (Panaracer Pasela, for example) at 70 psi, you'll be amazed at the difference in comfort. No need for knobs to ride across a bit of dirt or grass or even more, knobbies just get obnoxious on long stretches of pavement.

 

[pretender]

See below for my favorite cross tire
http://www.vittoria.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8095&Itemid=120

Great race tires, but for daily riding they wear down way too quickly. YMMV

 

[rkj__]

Great race tires, but for daily riding they wear down way too quickly. YMMV

I probably have ~200km on mine (much of it on the road) and I can already see the wear on my rear tire. I don't think they will last too long. I'm very happy with their performance on and off road though.

 

[gersting]

Great race tires, but for daily riding they wear down way too quickly. YMMV

Yup...unfortunately, many of my 'favorite' things for bikes wear out too fast...:cryin:

 

[PeanutButterBreath]

What kind of bike is this? Your options may be limited by frame/fork tire clearance.

FWIW, I don't think you need knobby tires to ride through fields and parks. Unless you are cutting hard corners, climbing loose pitches or riding off cambers. Slick tires will last longer if you ride a lot or pavement.

 

[epicxt]

I've had great luck with commuting on bontrager race lite hardcases. http://bontrager.com/model/00443/en
They come in sizes up to 32c, and I've got about 2500 rough commuting miles on my current set (Seattle winter, etc., and no flats!:thumbsup: ).

Again, check your frame for clearance.

 

[beaker]

What kind of bike is this? Your options may be limited by frame/fork tire clearance.

FWIW, I don't think you need knobby tires to ride through fields and parks. Unless you are cutting hard corners, climbing loose pitches or riding off cambers. Slick tires will last longer if you ride a lot or pavement.

Echoing what PBB said, you may want to try the commuting/touring/ ride reports board as well for some recommendations. They would probably have the goods on what ~32mm "smooth" tires are worth it.

 

[fleck]

as said above, unless it's a CX bike you're going to have tire clearance issues.
If your tires are shot, get some 25mm wide tires. Run em low. The max pressue is well over what one should run it at. I like 115 or so but for your needs i'd drop to around 80

with larger tires you can run lower pressures without pinch flatting. The 23s are pretty narrow so i wouldn't drop them too low...