2007-12-25 17:51:57 · 12 answers · asked by ivan_up_down 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
Yes, they will technically roll with a tiny bit of less resistance because the sharp leading edges of the knob rubber will round out a little. You'll also have less traction and grip. Will you notice either one of these while you ride? Not really....not until they get *really* worn out, in which case you'll notice the lack of traction (as well as torn knobs, easier flats, etc) more than you will the lessened rolling resistance.
I'm assuming you're asking this just as a theoretical curiosity and that you already know, from previous questions, that tire tread selection is the route you want to focus on for your riding needs, as other guys above pointed out. :o)
2007-12-26 03:40:58 · answer #1 · answered by Ride!Urban 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it is dubious that you can wear down a knobby tire until it looks like a slick without encouring lots of weakness in the tire itself.
If you are interested in a faster rolling tire for your mountain bike, a number of companies make a 26" tire 1-1/2 inch wide, smooth tread, fairly high pressure. I bought a pair from Specialized and the difference between them and the knobby tires on the road was quite significant.
2007-12-26 02:58:16 · answer #2 · answered by intrepidfae 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Smooth tires are faster than knobs and narrow tires are faster than wide tires. So your tires will be faster as they wear. Of course, if you're off-roading, then you want knobs to maintain traction and control. If you're riding on the road, you want a use specific tire. Remember worn tires will tend to fail (get flats) more frequently. So your best bet is to get task specific tires.
You can get "commuter" tires which will be narrower and smoother but which have tread which will grip the road. You can also get "slicks" that are smooth and great on tracks. The only bad thing is that you lose traction if you're riding on wet or sandy roads. Again, get tires that fit your needs since the right tool gets the job done.
2007-12-26 05:08:50 · answer #3 · answered by Frank 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your tires are truly worn out, you will be fixing the flats so often the worn out tires will be slower. If you are riding on normal roads with mountain bike tires designed for offroad use, no amount of wear will truly make them faster. Less wide tires, with more contact will provide both more friction, yet less rolling resistance, better for biking on normal roads.
2007-12-25 18:39:16 · answer #4 · answered by georoad 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hum... Well, by "wear out" I assume you mean the knobs are worn down. There is a trade off between weight and rolling resistance on one hand and traction on the other. Yes, tires will get lighter and exhibit less rolling resistance on firm surfaces as the knobs wear down. But, traction on sketchy surfaces will be compromised and this may slow you down.
In any case, some companies make tires with minimalistic knobs to keep weight and rolling resistance down. Specialized, for example, started making their tires with the "LK" designation when they realized racers were using razors to reduce knob height thus reducing weight and rolling resistance. The "LK" designation means "Low Knob" and they are the fastest and lightest of the Specialized line of racing tires. Of course, they don't perform real well in wet, muddy condtions, but on hard pack and rocky surfaces they fly.
Hope this helps.
2007-12-26 03:24:35 · answer #5 · answered by sfr1224 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. The nubs on new mountain bike tires will slow you down, and give a rougher ride than worn tires.
2007-12-25 17:56:02 · answer #6 · answered by dennis f 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it form of feels you obtain the incorrect bike. you may desire to purchase narrower, comfortable tread tires that could have much less rolling resistance, yet your mountain bike is in simple terms no longer as undemanding to pedal as a hybrid. You bike has gearing for driving interior the woods and in case you have suspension, it is likewise contributing to the sluggish sense of the bike. in case you have the two front and rear suspension, the bike will sense even heavier. in case you may modify the suspension to make it stiffer, your bike would be greater undemanding to pedal
2016-10-09 04:39:52 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I doubt that. You will just get a not too well performing tire. If you're intrested in reducing rolling resistance, look for another tire.
2007-12-26 02:22:31 · answer #8 · answered by Roberto 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No I think they become slower b/c the the friction and heat of worn out tires slow the bike down.
2007-12-25 17:56:44 · answer #9 · answered by *Shop-A-Holic* 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
yes, and so will high pressure tires like 100 psi
2007-12-25 18:37:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋