Can the tyres take it?

[teacherchris]

I am on the verge of buying a flat bar hybrid and need a bit of advice on equipment.

I have been looking at the Specialized Sirrus http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=5383


Trek 7300fx http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=5223


and have just stumbled across the Carrera Gryphon (although there seems to be a lot of prejudice against Halfords) http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=19254&type=0&cat=92


I have a 20 mile daily commute and have panniers which last Friday totalled 13kg (30lbs) in weight (books to mark). This isn't an average weight but I need a bike that can cope with the occasional heavy load and be used to 8kgs (split between two panniers on a rack).

The Sirrus is the bike I have been taken with but I am not sure that the 700 x 28c can cope with the weight. I am worried about getting constant snakebites. If I have a disaster :eek: with punctures, how easy is it to get thicker tyres? Would I have to buy new rims?

Am I worrying over nothing or should I be looking at the thicker tyres of the 7300fx? The Gryphon is there because it has Tiagra gearing, is the cheapest of the three and currently comes with £100 free bike equipment.


Am also a bit confused over the ranking of Shimano gearing systems. I thought Sora was for road bikes and Tiagra and Deore were for mountain bikes but the Sirrus Sport is upgraded from Sora to Tiagra, hence my look at the Gryphon.


:confused:


Would appreciate all the advice going as I seem to be going around in circles and am desperate to make a decision and get my new bike.


Cheers, Chris

[dhk]

I am on the verge of buying a flat bar hybrid and need a bit of advice on equipment.

I have been looking at the Specialized Sirrus http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=5383


Trek 7300fx http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=5223


and have just stumbled across the Carrera Gryphon (although there seems to be a lot of prejudice against Halfords) http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=19254&type=0&cat=92


I have a 20 mile daily commute and have panniers which last Friday totalled 13kg (30lbs) in weight (books to mark). This isn't an average weight but I need a bike that can cope with the occasional heavy load and be used to 8kgs (split between two panniers on a rack).

The Sirrus is the bike I have been taken with but I am not sure that the 700 x 28c can cope with the weight. I am worried about getting constant snakebites. If I have a disaster :eek: with punctures, how easy is it to get thicker tyres? Would I have to buy new rims?

Am I worrying over nothing or should I be looking at the thicker tyres of the 7300fx? The Gryphon is there because it has Tiagra gearing, is the cheapest of the three and currently comes with £100 free bike equipment.


Am also a bit confused over the ranking of Shimano gearing systems. I thought Sora was for road bikes and Tiagra and Deore were for mountain bikes but the Sirrus Sport is upgraded from Sora to Tiagra, hence my look at the Gryphon.


:confused:


Would appreciate all the advice going as I seem to be going around in circles and am desperate to make a decision and get my new bike.


Cheers, Chris
Properly inflated, would think 28 mm tires should be good for at least 250 pounds without any fear of snakebites in normal road riding. If your total weight will exceed that, or you're forced to ride over potholes on your commute, then wider tires might be worth a go. Just to ease your concerns before buying the Sirrus, you could ask the shop to check clearances for 32 mm and wider tires.

[Doctor Morbius]

... I have a 20 mile daily commute and have panniers which last Friday totalled 13kg (30lbs) in weight (books to mark). This isn't an average weight but I need a bike that can cope with the occasional heavy load and be used to 8kgs (split between two panniers on a rack).

The Sirrus is the bike I have been taken with but I am not sure that the 700 x 28c can cope with the weight. I am worried about getting constant snakebites. If I have a disaster :eek: with punctures, how easy is it to get thicker tyres? Would I have to buy new rims?

Am I worrying over nothing or should I be looking at the thicker tyres of the 7300fx? The Gryphon is there because it has Tiagra gearing, is the cheapest of the three and currently comes with £100 free bike equipment.DHK is right. I weigh 245 - 250 lbs and I ride anything between 23 - 28 tires without incident so I wouldn't think they would pose a problem. If there is any question, then have the wheels & tires swapped out prior to the bicycle purchase as part of the deal.


Am also a bit confused over the ranking of Shimano gearing systems. I thought Sora was for road bikes and Tiagra and Deore were for mountain bikes but the Sirrus Sport is upgraded from Sora to Tiagra, hence my look at the Gryphon.I would recommend a quick look at Shimano's web site ... www.shimano.com ... to find out what the rankings are and which is road vs. MTB.

[domaindomain]

28s should be fine. As a tandem rider using 28 section Conti Top Touring inflated to about 85psi, we often carry well over that weight with no problems on roads and some tracks.

[teacherchris]

Thanks for the advice guys. It really puts my mind at rest.

I think my decision is basically going to come down to preference on the ride now. Just needed to make sure that that was the only issue.

Am going to arrange a test ride the Sirrus and 7300fx this weekend hopefully so should be able to start using it next weekend.

Could also depend on whether I want a bike that can ride on the tow path by the river or on the path around Richmond Park as well as the 7300fx has the tyres for it and the Sirrus doesn't. Not sure how much speed that will lose me on the road though.