It's a Cannondale Ironman 2000 with 650cc tires. I've got basic rims, clincher setup. Thanks for any help.
2007-05-07 11:12:02 · 7 answers · asked by Brandon H 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
When you say 'tough dirt road' is this a road that alot of cars travel on and is somewhat maintained, or is this an old road that only sees use from offroad vehicles?
If it's a real road, but dirt, any heavier 'training' tire will do. Check with your local bike shop.
If this is something you never see anything but a 4wheel drive vehicle on, you've got a problem. The tires you need are most likely too fat to fit in your fork and chainstays. You would need something with a usable knobby tread. A typical cyclocross tire might work since they are easily available in 28mm, but good luck finding one in a 650c. I see alot of 26 inch versions, but have never seen a 650.
Then there is the issue of gearing and handling. Tribikes have a position, geometry, and gearing designed for going fast in a straight line. They don't even do well in criteriums.
I recommend a cheap possibly used cyclocross bike. It will have the gearing so you can keep up good speed on pavement and not bog down in the dirt. It will have much more stable handling, and you can put a wider tire on to get good grip.
2007-05-08 03:08:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to agree with a couple of other answers you have received. If you are riding your tri bike and it has 650cc wheels then you more than likely will not be able find a flat enough tire to ride on a tough dirt road. That being said, tri bikes are very specific and designed to go fast and do not feel all that great when you hit a little rock on the road so being on a road filled with them will only beat you and your bike up. If it is the only bike you own, perhaps find a better road to travel or look for a road bike on e-bay.
2007-05-10 01:53:12 · answer #2 · answered by John D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's just dirt, any tire will be ok. As long as it's dry and you take the turns real slow.
The problem is if it's gravel. Those sharp little rocks cause "pinch flats" and the only real solution is fatter tires. Which your bike probably doesn't have clearance for.
Try running the largest width tire you can find that will fit in the bike, and get the heavy duty thick tread kevlar model.
2007-05-07 22:44:50 · answer #3 · answered by scott.braden 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are out of your mind. Keep the bike clean at least. Do not gum up your chain, teeth, hubs, etc. This is not a cross bike.
I assume you must do this to your bike and that you only race one set of wheels....are you planning to race the same tires you pretend to cyclocross on? If so....check them very carefully for stuff that might get inbedded and cause a later flat. And punp them up well enough to avoid flatting out on the bumps....no pinch flats.
That said...your stays will not take too fat of a tire. you can run a tire at a little lower pressure and it gets wider...but be careful because to low and you pinch flat.
I would not race with bigger then a 23 (mm fat) and I bet you cannot get in anything bigger then a 25....go to a shop so you do not buy a tire that is too fat for your stays.
I think any tire will roll fine...the trouble is bitty sharp rocks working in there and waiting for race day to poke through...and grim buiding up and gunking you. So do as you will do...but be OCD about cleaning and checking integrity of the tires.
2007-05-10 09:56:07 · answer #4 · answered by nancy h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Continental Gran Prix 4000 all season tires are great for hard pack dirt roads.
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/tires/race/grand_prix_4_season/grand_prix_4_season_en.html
All the other tires companies make an all season bike tire, but Continental's are by far the best. They'll last forever also.
Actually, now that I think about it, I'm not sure they make that in a 650c tire. You may have trouble finding a 650 all season tire. But try, gatorskins, or Michelin Krylion Carbon's also.
2007-05-07 21:06:05 · answer #5 · answered by chadmcasselman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I actually think this bike is not right for commuting. Triathlon bikes are notoriously unstable and really only comfortable when putting the hammer down. Perhaps you should look at a conventional road bike?
2007-05-08 09:37:22 · answer #6 · answered by Jay P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Panaracer Fire XC Pro, good general tyre that can also race in. If you want comfort go for 2.1 or above, however speed needs 1.8.
Luck
2007-05-08 07:39:16 · answer #7 · answered by Alice S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋