Hi everyone, this is my “Specialized Alibi” with solid Nimbus tires. It’s a very low maintenance bike and has never given me the lightest problem. It’s been amazing!
However while I didn’t mind having such a slow bike when my commute was under 2km, now I regularly riding 6+km each way and I feel like I am fighting the bike hard just on flat ground. I am 6’6 with back pain, so the riding position can’t change. I am wondering what (if any) speed improvement I would see if I went to normal 700c tires/rims?
Also, any other tips on how to improve this bike, or recommendations for another modestly priced but faster commuter that can still carry a big guy like me would be appreciated!
Thanks 🙂
by FarEarth2949
3 Comments
Use normal air tires. The difference is massive. That’s why it’s use everywhere.
Fixed gear all day, especially if it’s a flat route. The least amount of maintenance possible, lightweight and fast.
Edit: I may be biased though lol
Inflated commuter tires aired up to ~50+ psi will make a huge difference in speed.
I had the solid inserts in both tires when I got my bike and it was like riding a bike on top of a deep foam gym mat. Switching to inflatable tires made a huge difference that you will notice immediately.
You might also want to consider raising your handlebars back towards you by about 3” to 5”. This made a huge improvement in my back pain when I switched my bars over. You will need to extend your break & shifter lines but your local bike store can easily do that.
Your saddles forward tilt indicates that your are dealing with a lot of pain. You may want to consider upgrading to a larger more comfortable saddle that will help support your body weight better.
You also might want to consider a suspension seat post. Your bike is a hard tail and a suspension post will help to soak up a lot of the bumps and potholes. Getting repeatedly punched in the bits by your saddle is no fun.
The last thing you might want to consider is the possibility of adding some form of power assist like a front ebike hub. A cheap electric hub can help significantly on days that you are dealing with a lot of pain.