Changing tyres/wheels on push bike??

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mb82

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# 175209 21-Jun-2015 20:11

So I have a hard tail push bike with sort of thin road tyres on it. Thing is I prefer riding off road.
How do I got about putting off road tyres on it? I don't know much about cycling modifications.

I guess I need new wheels as off road tyres will be wider. Is there different fitting that I need to be aware of or is a wheel a wheel? what happens to the gears etc do they work with all wheels? The bike is a giant elwood from about 2006

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# 1328838 21-Jun-2015 20:59

depends on the rims, but you should be able to buy some form of tyre to fit

my GT Avalanch i just fitted some 26x1.5 road tyres to it so i can use it on a trainer and on the road for my rehab. It did have some 26x2.5 offroad tyres on it. all that was required was to remove the wheels, change the tyre and tubes for the new ones and put it all back on, done, 10-15 minute job.

scuwp

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# 1328839 21-Jun-2015 21:05

Wheels are one thing, but if its a road frame forget it.

What size tyres are on it now? That may give us an indication on what options you have.

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Jase2985

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# 1328840 21-Jun-2015 21:08

looking at pictures of it, i personally wouldnt be taking it offroad on anything more than a gravel road.

Dunnersfella

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# 1328865 21-Jun-2015 21:41

The bike is a hybrid, semi-slicks are about the best you'll get for it... even then, you'll be pushing the frame clearance.
From memory you'll have 700c wheels, meaning tyre choice is limited.
Can you take a picture of the numbers on the side of the tyres for us?

Batman

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# 1328884 21-Jun-2015 22:07

the gears will work with the wheel :)

hybrid frames will clear mountain bike wheels but you need new rims not just the tube

but the gearing on hybrids are for speed and not for serious climbing.

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Geektastic

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# 1328909 21-Jun-2015 23:10

If they are available in the size, Continental touring tyres are fine for unmade roads (not true mountain bike stuff though) and have excellent puncture resistance.

andrewNZ

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# 1328930 22-Jun-2015 00:14

5 people support this post

The short answer is to ride it down to the local cycle shop and talk to them.

Don't dress like you can afford a new bike.

Location: Dunedin

andrew027

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# 1328975 22-Jun-2015 08:51

I'm not familiar with the Elwood so I did a google image search for the 2006 model - while it has front suspension it looks more like a commuter than an off-roader. I don't know if I'd veture too far off the blacktop on that. but I guess a lot depends on what you mean by "I prefer riding off road". I don't think you'd get a wider rim/tube/tyre on that bike and that would limit your options.

The other Andrew is right. Head down to your LBS (local bike shop). They'll probably want to sell you a new bike but if you seriously want to get into mountain biking, you might need it.

mb82

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# 1330283 23-Jun-2015 22:35

Current tyres are 700 x 38c. I guess they would be called semi slicks, they don't have the knobbly bits like mountain bike tyres. Tyres look like this image fro internet: http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/231458080643-0-1/s-l1000.jpg

I ride the bike occasionally, I prefer going off road. Budget does not allow for a shiny new mountain bike atm. Bike has a 21" frame as I am tall, makes it a little hard to find a suitable second hand one. I have already taken this bike on gravel paths, grass, dirt and farmland areas, although it gets edgy sometimes. I am looking for a cheap short term solution which will allow me to do more with this bike before finding a proper mountain bike, also depending on how interested i find myself in the idea

Batman

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# 1330287 23-Jun-2015 22:44

not only these tyres lack traction, off road will destroy them quickly, so double whammy

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JWR

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# 1330325 24-Jun-2015 05:16

andrewNZ: The short answer is to ride it down to the local cycle shop and talk to them.

Don't dress like you can afford a new bike.

I think you have to visit a bike shop or two to see what is available.

Most people will think in terms of road bike or mountain bike. The parts from these are generally not interchangeable.

But, there are also Cyclo-cross bikes.

They are much closer to a road bike. But, have heavier components and tyres.

I think it is quite likely you could find much chunkier tyres than you have now.

Just what they would cost.. I don't know.

mb82

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# 1330334 24-Jun-2015 07:44

So as long as there is enough clearance in the frame for the width of a mountain bike tyre and height of the wheel + tyre everything else should fit? I probably won't buy them from a bike shop, I am eyeing up some second hand ones.

Jase2985

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# 1330430 24-Jun-2015 09:52

http://bikes.evolutioncycles.co.nz/search?w=700x38

there is not a lot of options for that size

andrewNZ

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# 1330513 24-Jun-2015 11:18

I seriously think you need to at least visit a bike shop, no one says you have to buy anything from them. They are typically very helpful and knowledgeable.

Bike tyres are typically pretty cheap new anyway. You shouldn't go buying something secondhand until you've done proper research, which IMO includes talking to someone who knows. You may end up paying more than something is worth new, and/or be left with something that just doesn't fit.

They need to clear the frame, the brake calipers, and the chain.

Location: Dunedin

andrew027

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# 1330550 24-Jun-2015 11:51

As I understand it, the 700c tyre is roughly equivalent to a 29" wheel size. This is not unheard of on mountain bikes but is more common on road bikes, cyclo-cross, hybrids, etc. while most mountain bikes have a 26" wheel. You may find some hybrid/cross tyres that have some tread but will probably struggle to find agressive off-road tyres in that size.

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