I have a crossroads 2 from Specialized, purchased in 2020.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/crossroads-20/p/173831?color=274223-173831
I'd like to go faster than my current speed of ~12-13 mph. Would I be able to achieve a few extra mph by putting skinnier tires on my current bike?
I've read some threads and the consensus seems to be tires don't really impact speed but often that's comparing 28 vs 32 kind of thing. The stock tires are 45 mm tho!
I know reddit hates hybrids and maybe the answer is get an Allez or another entry road bike.
I'm terrified of clip pedals, drop bars, super skinny tires etc. I've never ridden a bike with them before and I'm concerned it's going to be a big change and I won't like such a bike. Additionally, I hate excess consumption for the sake of consumption. If I can make my current bike work that's less new manufactured stuff on Earth.
About me: ride 5-20 miles at a time, all road or bike path. I'd love to bike to work once a week (10 miles). Probably do 400 miles a year.
by DrChaoticGood
3 Comments
I had the same question a few months ago, but I have a Sirrus with 32mm tires. I took it to the LBS and they just said to get a road bike – you’ll be way more upright on anything else so thinner/faster tires won’t make a massive difference.
I got a road bike (had one in the past that was uncomfortable) and I’m loving it. You can put pedals in it and still have covers to use like flat pedals.
I used the clips for the first time yesterday (and today again) and did not fall once – miracle!
All this to say I was there maybe not even 2 months ago where you are right now. Don’t be afraid.
Road bikes these days are having a trend to fit wider tires. Endurance/gravel bikes are a thing.
For the amount of riding you do I don’t think a new bike is going to get you much. You could swap out your tires for some slicks. You can also concentrate on pedaling harder and getting more aerodynamic on your existing bike. You could also keep a lookout for a used road bike in your size.
Not necessarily by narrower tires, but by higher quality tires. Something like this, with TPU tubes inside, would likely help https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/tour-reviews/continental-contact-urban. Now that the pros are getting wider tires, I believe Continental now make the GP5000 in a 32mm, so you could do that as well if you wanted to be even more aggressive with your tire choice. The GP5000 is a slick though, so if your local bike path isn’t paved it may not be a great tire for your use.
With that said, the biggest component to how fast you’re going for a given effort level is always going to be dictated by the air resistance caused by your position on the bike. Past a certain point, there’s not going to be any substitute for drop bars, in order for you to present a smaller shape to the wind.