Faster rolling tire ?

I'm slow and I know I'm slow but surpriseingly I seem to be really really slow compared to my friends. I know I'm out of shape but just pedaling it seems I'm putting a lot of effort into pedaling.

I think it's my tires, Kenda Kinetics 2.6" wide Stick-E compound. (front and rear).

I like the bigger tires as I feel more comfortable on them which leads me to my question..

Will a different or is there a different set of tires that will have less rolling resistance than what I have on?

?

thanks
jake

 

Uh..unless they're using the same tires, it's your tires. I put a Kenda Nevegal 2.35s to replace a Continental 2.3 tire, and I could totally feel the difference. I swapped my front tire with the Kenda, and the pedalling action went back to normal.

 

Far to big of a tire if you are pedaling a lot. 2.3 should be great even if you down hill. Peace.:wave:

 

Yeah go to a 2.1 or 2.3. You should have good traction, but 2.6? That's a DH tire!

Do you have any other tires in the stable?

 

Fat & sticky is no way to go through life son.

 

Thanks.

I'll go pickup a closeout set of a much thinner tire (2.2ish) and see what happens.

I just can't believe that I'm that much slower than the rest. I mean, I'm out of shape but I'm slow!!!

I love my tires, don't get me wrong.. i have 3 sets from when they quit making that particular model and at a good deal.. but will try anything once to see the difference.

thanks guys.. I appreciate the input.

 

Allison, I have one set of Continental Diggas that are 2.5" wide, hahahaha

Sorry, I'm a clyde (195lbs) so I feel more comfy having a larger tire under me.

Found some on Jenson's site that are 2.2ish and 20$ each so I'll grab those to try.

 

BAD - take note that it's not just the width that will make the tires slow, it's also the weight, compound (ie: Stick-E) and tread pattern. Personally, I can't imagine doing any serious pedaling on 2.6" Stick-E's, no matter how well they might ride on the way back down.

Check the Weight Weenies site for good comparisons of wights.

MTBR reviews and the Official Tire Review thread here can give you great input on pedaling vs. grip.

And keep an eye on the STR classifieds and the Pay It Forward thread for tires ranging from cheap to free. That's a great way to sample different designs.

 

I found some Kenda Kinetics in 2.35 on jenson.

The K tire is 700g and the ones I have are 1000something. Is there any reason why getting the k-tire would be bad? I love the tires I have now but I'm just slower than everone else on the flats and on the uphill. Coming back down I'm pretty fast (not superman but decent).

Is the Kenda Kinetics K Tire at 2.35 wide a good step down in size and performance? 25$/pop which is a bargain I think.

Conti Slash's are 20$ that look decent at 630g folding and 700g non-folding...

I love shopping!!!!

 

i (and i think laggdawg) rode the san juan trail and palm canyon epic this weekend with 2.1 kenda small block 8's in the rear. run those with some decent 2.3's and you'll definitely pick up some speed. let us know how it works out.

 

was wondering whats the average weight for 2.1 width tire? currently i have the panaracer fire xc tire. and there like 635 grams each. anything on the lines of these tires that are lighter. But just as durable and puncture proof? i dont do ne thing extreme i use my mtb for everything road, dirt, coummuting.

 

Kenda tires generally are true to size but the 2.35 Kinetics are more like a 2.1. I run dirtvert's recommendation occasionally and the SB8 2.1 is plenty big for the rear. I'm a Clyde as well (230) and I've had no issues with the 2.1 SB8 rear and 2.35 Nevegal front on my 38lb SX Trail.

 

Look into Kenda's new Slant Six tire. Its something between the Nevegal and Small Block 8.

 

Dude, just own it and ride slow then Nothing wrong with that!!

 

True enough :beer:

 

go with the nevegals, they're a good balance of rolling resistance, traction, and weight. Also, I wouldn't select my tire based on a discount, my experience has been that a bad tires result in a terrible ride or a crash #-o

 

I had 2.3 nevegals... they roll waaaay slower than my high roller 2.5... just my observation :?:

 

Tire width and manufacturer has replicated the world of 4wheeling tires I've found. Maxxis tires seem to run smallish for bikes, whereas, specialized,kenda are true to their size.
I run a 2.3 nevegal in front and alternate between a maxxis ignitor 2.1(way light) and a specialized chunder2.2 in the rear; yes the difference is noticable in the rear between the two.

Good luck, too many tires to pick from these days.

Take care,Steve:wave:

 

I really hope you don't think just cuz you are changing your tires you will ride "that" much faster.....you admitted it yourself.....it's the engine not the vehicle.....
yes new tires will help but if you were "in shape" that would help the MOST....

tire pressure also is a factor....

 

I totally agree with you, thats the biggest problem. I'm just thinking that a different tire might help.

When I toss on my Maxxis Hookworm street tires which are 2.6 wide (street tread, fairly smooth) they roll significantly faster than my 2.6 Kendas.

I just figured a tire change might help a little in the effort dept.

:-s

maybe..