Thicker tyres for my Wife's bike?

[MagicalTrevor]

My Wife has commented that she'd feel safer with wider tyres on her bike. It's a Specialized Vita and has 'Specialized Nimbus w/ Flak Jacket, 26TPI, 700x32c'. Can wider tyres fit on this bike? If so, what should I buy for her? Ideally, I think she'd like something with more grip in addition to width.

Thanks

[Sarkmeister]

Where does she ride it? That'll make a difference to what tyres you need

[MagicalTrevor]

Really just on the road and cycle paths, nothing too exciting. Would Specialized Crossroads be suitable? They look like they're a bit knobblier and a touch wider.

[shouldbworking]

You'd be better off finding out why she feels unsafe and working from there. You can't really go a massive amount wider on a hybrid like that, I think the most you'd be able to do would be 38 or so.

[Gizmoish]

Women have this strange belief that knobbly tyres are grippier.

You'd probably get away with 38mm, depends on the frame. Check the brake bridge and seatstays/chainstays for clearance.

I have 700x38c Conti Double Fighters on my hybrid, they've lasted well.

[megaphone]

Also think about puncture protection, the existing have 'flak Jacket', try and get something similar, the Specialized with Armadillo are good against punctures.

[MagicalTrevor]

It's probably psychosomatic more than anything. I don't believe there is anything wrong with her tyres but if it makes her happy then she can have new tyres! If think the Specialized Crossroad 700c x 38 will fit but I might just check with the bike shop to see.

Thanks for the advice guys

[mudshark]

Nothing wrong with fitting the biggest tyres that will fit, though doubt a few extra mm will be that noticeable. Obviously she's unlikely to be pushing the boundaries of her current ones but whatever works for her. A bit of practice will get her used to narrow tyres - I remember using my 1st road bike having come from mountain biking, I felt very odd on those skinny little things to start with!

[tigger1]

32's are already more than wide enough to keep a bike upright on paved surfaces - and slicks are (on smooth stuff) going to give better grip, even in the wet.

Might be an odd suggestion - but how are her bike handling skills? Maybe it's a confidence thing - and a "MTB Skillz" type course might be of benefit (as well as being great fun)?

[MagicalTrevor]

tigger1 said:

32's are already more than wide enough to keep a bike upright on paved surfaces - and slicks are (on smooth stuff) going to give better grip, even in the wet.

Might be an odd suggestion - but how are her bike handling skills? Maybe it's a confidence thing - and a "MTB Skillz" type course might be of benefit (as well as being great fun)?

She's not great, it probably is confidence. We don't cycle together because she's too slow, that sounds selfish but it's incredibly frustrating spending my time coasting and waiting for her.

[mudshark]

Well I have the same problem with my wife - lacking skills and fitness - but I used to take her for off road pootles on top of my own rides.

[TedMaul]

MagicalTrevor said:

It's probably psychosomatic more than anything.

This. Drop the saddle by 1cm, lower the centre of gravity, increase grip, reduce liklihood of falling off. Put some real science into it.....................

[tigger1]

mudshark said:

Well I have the same problem with my wife - lacking skills and fitness - but I used to take her for off road pootles on top of my own rides.

^^^^ This. You don't need to compromise all of your own riding, but encouraging her, and getting her to ride more confidently (read "safely") can only be a good thing. Her learning to balance a bike (picking up the bottle from the floor etc) and how to brake properly will make a world of difference to her confidence.

[Gumstabber]

Paid for mine to do a skills course at Afan, she loved it and it gave her loads of confidence and knowledge.

[RichS]

More to the point, why do wimmin have less confidence than men in the first place?

[otolith]

RichS said:

More to the point, why do wimmin have less confidence than men in the first place?

Because they are more risk averse - lots of evolutionary theory to explain why they might be wired that way.