I've been thinking 'bout tires....

...so I asked my Tire Whore about exactly what rolling resistance is and how it can effect the way I ride. I currently have Kenda Nevegal 2.1s on Gustav. From what I understand, these tires would have a large (or large-ish) rolling resistance inherently due to the large knobs and width of the tire...maybe mostly because of the large knobs. I'm not sure what the pressure is in the tires...is there a pressure that's better than another or is it really personal preference?

So...here's what I'm wondering. Being that I'm a heavy girl, running knobby tires that grip the ground, would it behoove me to run at a higher pressure or perhaps look at something like a Small Block 8 or Panaracer Smokes, Fire XC Pros, Rampage...something not quite as knobbby and grippy as the Nevegals.

I really like the tires I have now, but I'm wondering if something with smaller knobs would be better for someone like me, which is why I kind of like the Small Blocks.

Ok...now, what about what the tires are made of? And if I am running 2.1s now, what would something like say a 2.35 get me?

And here's something that I really don't understand...why would I run say a Smoke on the front of the bike but a Rampage on the back?

So every time I think about something, I come up with a hundred thousand other questions.

Best way to train for longer trail rides?

Is the best way to train for longer trail rides (right now I average about 2 miles, occasionally 3...and don't you dare laugh :P) by simply taking longer trail rides or is it a combination of my regular length trail rides plus some longer "endurance" type rides on flats or at the gym?

When I'm in the mood, I can ride around 10 miles in the gym...the last couple times I've chosen a hilly course - not hilly as in interval training hilly, but hilly as in I'm going up a hill for at least half of the tour - and I try to do it in a single speed (and not an easy one). But the gym is SO different from riding my bike...it's definitely not as hard because I'm not carrying the weight of my big ass PLUS the weight of the bike and my pack around. Not saying it's not good exercise, because on the days I can't get outside to ride, it's all I have.

So I'm wondering if it would behoove me to go out and ride something like Umstead State Park (that is EXTREMELY hilly and will kick my ever lovin' ass), which is not paved, but not dirt like a mountain biking trail...no obstacles in otherwords; or should I go for the American Tobacco Trail, which is a rails to trails deal where the steepest incline is probably 2%. However, the ATT kills me b/c of my tires (at least that's what I think). They are Kenda Nevegals and so are pretty knobby and dig into the sand/sifted whatever is out there on the trail...and so I get a good workout, but I can't get very far.

What should I do? How should I combine all these places? Pretty much I have 2 days during the week on which I can ride outdoors - and preferably on mountain biking trails...I'm obviously getting a good workout with the amt I'm riding since I've lost 12 pounds and many inches, and that's without even trying...no change in eating habits, etc. But since I'm on a roll...sort of...I figure I may as well get as much out of this as I can.

So I Want to Learn About Tires

Yes, yes it's true...I know nothing about mtn bike tires.

Well, except that mine make me want to do dirty things...all those lovely knobs. KIDDING!

I run Kenda Nevegal 2.1s on my bike...listen to me "I run." What-the-fuck-ever *eyeroll* Fat Chick Biker! Haha...you run them b/c that's what came on the bike. HOWEVER! When I took my bike for a spin in the parking lot the day I bought him (yes...his name is Gustav and I looked under his downtube to see what he was sportin'), the very first thing I noticed were his tires. At the store I was told they were the 2.3s, but I looked closely one day and noticed they are 2.1s. I was slightly disappointed, going with the whole "bigger is better" idea (hey - it's worked for me so far :P), but I'm thinking at this point in my riding, that .2 really isn't going to make a whole shitload of difference.

Ok...so...went riding with K and E a week or so ago and E is looking at my tires and announces that he runs the same tires as mine, only TUBELESS. That's right children...TUBELESS tires. I'd heard of them...heard the RUMORS ...just never actually seen them in the, um...rubber.

I have a friend, who we will call "friend" hahaha, who is a tire whore. Or so he purports. I need to pick his brain about why he likes certain tires and not others.

I like learning...and will come back in a future post and have a tire class for you. Because that's just the kind of nice Fat Chick Biker I am. :)