Observation and Perspective   
 Ride Stats
Distance: 21.73 miles Time: 01:45:00 Max Speed: 24.70 mph
Avg Speed: 12.41 mph Temp: Min: 52
Avg: 53
Max: 55
Category: general: commute - solo
Route: Hilton Commute w/cadence loop Weight: 235 Altitude Gain: 0 ft
Avg Power: 0 W Calories Burned: 1,200 Avg HR: 0 bpm
Terrain: Road: Flat Bike: Cruzbike 43lb-Sofrider a FWD, MBB,  SWB Bent Club: Commuter Cycling Century
Weather Conditions: Sunny and fantastic! Winds completely variable: S/NE/N/NW 5-10mph;

Distance: 4.58 miles Time: 00:21:30 Max Speed: 23.70 mph
Avg Speed: 12.78 mph Temp: Avg: 50
Category: training: general - solo
Route: (ATB) Std Weight: 235 Altitude Gain: 0 ft
Avg Power: 0 W Calories Burned: 250 Avg HR: 0 bpm
Terrain: Road: Flat Bike: Cruzbike 43lb-Sofrider a FWD, MBB,  SWB Bent Club: USA Towpath and Trail Riders association
Weather Conditions: Sunset ride, calm-U/10mph;
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 1000 miles &The right tire...
Finding the right tire...
-is not so much a brand or a price level.

The right tire depends on what you require of that tire.
My bike use is as a commuter with some recreational road and towpath/trail miles too. The best all around tire for my needs is highly puncture resistant and high mileage capable.

How much is rider weight a factor? Significant! I'm too fat. Heavy riders need fatter tires.
With my Bianchi "road bike/commuter", I use a 28mm wide tire, preferably Kevlar belted. That's the "skinniest" tire I'll use, and would not ride a bike too far with a tire more narrow than 28mm. That's a safe minmum size limit to support my weight.
~had great success with:
700 x 28C Continental Ultra GatorSkin, $40; 2500-2800 miles on a set
~hoping for increased durability with:
700 x 28C Specialized Specialized Nimbus Armadillo $40;

I like 26x1.25 tires w/Kevlar belts for the Cadenza and the Cruzbike.
~I really LIKED:
26 x 1.25 Performance Fast City ST/K $12.99; -a 4000mile+ tire! (no longer made)
~the near exact replacement:
26 x 1.25 Forte Metro-K Road and MTB Tires $17.99;

On the Specialized Globe and Royce Union Express, I want a fast rolling tire for my commute with a good tread for the varied conditions of year round use. I like 32-38mm tire widths on those bikes. A fatter tire with low rolling resistance translates into a pricey tire sometimes.
700 x 38C Specialized Infinity $40; -low rolling resistance and proved reliability! I think the Specialized brand may be on the high side of pricing in tires but they seem to be worth the cost.
~Forte on the other hand can be a wonderful bargain:
700 x 35C Forte ST Cross/K $8.99ea. -in use on the Globe, FANTASTIC reliability!

In addition to rider weight, some other considerations will effect a decision as to what tire is best:
What is your bike type? Road/cyclocross, Mountain, ATB, Hybrid;
Where do you ride? City, Rural, Trail and type of trail;
Are your ride miles leisure, touring, or commuter?
What is your mileage expectation?
How much money are you looking to spend?
-are some additional considerations for determining what will be best for your needs;

Correcting a mistake made in the Fall, I removed the 26x1.5 sized "Serfas drifter city tire" from the drive wheel of my Cruzbike and installed a 26x1.25 tire, Forte branded; The 1.25 width and tread design of the Forte tire, mounted on the drive(front)wheel, vastly improves spinning ease and climbing abilities.

26 x 1.25 Forté Metro-K Road and MTB Tire $18; seemingly a great value if it's durability is equal to the similar: 26 x 1.25 Performance Fast City ST/K, which is no longer available;

The 26 x 1.50 Serfas CTR Drifter City $25, was a recommendation from a local bike store
The tire turned out to be a "performance disaster" on the drive wheel(FWD). I've continued using the Serfas tire on the rear wheel. I like the stability, traction/tracking of the tire for the rear wheel, combined with the Forte on the drive wheel it seems to be an acceptable compromise in speed/performance.

Passing the 1000 mile mark today!


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