How much difference do street tires make compared to knobbies

[DDBB]

I realize there's a thousand variables but when I switch to road tires from knobbies, how much more range can I expect, if any. I can go 40mi. now on a full charge. Going from cheap Kenda knobbies to Schwalbe MotoX tires is the plan. I'm hoping for a mile or two more range since the tires should have much lower rolling resistance. Has anyone actually compared their range when going from knobbies to street tires?

 

[carl06]

Lots of variables depending on the specific tires involved but going from a heavier 50mm gravel tire with small knobs to a 38mm smooth tread tire using higher tire pressure, my range improved 5 to 10% on pavement.

 

[Marcela]

I've done it. I'd say noticeable to lots.

 

[PCeBiker]

Maybe you can pedal your ebike unpowered to see what it feels like, then swap tires.
Especially with your old tires set at minimum pressure.

I know that I could sure feel the difference in effort on my pedal bike.

The difference is hidden when you've got a powered ebike, except for the shorter range of the battery.

 

[indianajo]

I don't notice any difference. Variable load (cargo) covers up this effect. Variable wind is much more important. With me, against me, 5 mph, 12 mph, 25 mph, wind is always changing. Bad headwind with a non-functioning motor can add 80% to my time on my fixed distance. Cheapo 350 w motor instead of 1000 w, 60%. Sources of hill climbing 1000 w motors have left the country. I tried to buy some clutches for the 1000 w from aliexp but the bank wouldn't let me.

 

[mrgold35]

I went from Kenda Juggernaut 4" 30 TPI (threads per inch) fat tire to Vee Tire Company Vee8 120 TPI with more tread. I don't know if the Schwalbe MotoX come in different TPI to pick from?

The advantages I've noticed was:
- 120 TPI was a lighter with less tq steer and improved steering feel
- waaaay less "killer bees" sound on paved surfaces
- Vee8 was softer for a noticeably improved comfort for all terrain and speeds (I could fold a 120 tpi 4" fat tire and fit into my Topeak rack bag)
- Vee8 felt more stable during high speed turns and felt like improved braking/emergency braking on paved surfaces because of the larger contact patch
- less rolling resistance to improved acceleration, handling, braking, and battery range
- I had less flats because the extra tread of the Vee8s made for a thicker tire (all my goathead flats were in-between the knobbies where the tire rubber is thinnest)
- I had between 2X-3X longer tread life with the Vee8 compared to the spaced out knobby Kenda with the same riding environment (could be a combo of tire compound and/or more wear with the smaller Kenda contact patch)

I made the switch when I started +50 miles per week work commuting on my ebike instead of being a weekend dirt trail or errand rider. I was still able to do +95% of dirt/single track riding at my skill level with the Vee8 tires.

 

[il Munduato]

I realize there's a thousand variables but when I switch to road tires from knobbies, how much more range can I expect, if any. I can go 40mi. now on a full charge. Going from cheap Kenda knobbies to Schwalbe MotoX tires is the plan. I'm hoping for a mile or two more range since the tires should have much lower rolling resistance. Has anyone actually compared their range when going from knobbies to street tires?

Range is probably the last consideration when selecting a tire....and impossible for others to quantify with all the variables.
That said I've switched out nobby to a more street tread several times now and I'm never disappointed. Ride quality and noise level improve and pavement handling is a game changer.
Braking capability also improves.
Not sure why vendors are still putting nobby tires on bikes that aren't pure trail bikes. Looks cool but it's probably cost.

 

[DDBB]

Agreed, why my urban Rize RX came with knobbies is beyond me. I did ride it up and down the local ski hill trails. It's NOT a mountain bike

 

[MartsEbike]

Big difference between my Michelin E-wild knobbly off-road tyres compared to my Schwalbe Super Moto-X tyres. It just rolls for miles on the Moto-X tyres.

It was impossible to coast along on the E-Wilds when road riding. They have so much rolling-resistance that it brings the bike to a stop pretty quick, even on a slight decline. Its slightly crazy when you find yourself peddling downhill just to keep moving!

The extra range provided by the Super-Motos is mostly attributed to coasting when the terrain allows you too. But its quite noticeable over a longer ride. I'd say 10-15% more range.

 

[DDBB]

Wow, I like those numbers. Can't wait to install my moto X tires

 

[il Munduato]

Big difference between my Michelin E-wild knobbly off-road tyres compared to my Schwalbe Super Moto-X tyres. It just rolls for miles on the Moto-X tyres.

It was impossible to coast along on the E-Wilds when road riding. They have so much rolling-resistance that it brings the bike to a stop pretty quick, even on a slight decline. Its slightly crazy when you find yourself peddling downhill just to keep moving!

The extra range provided by the Super-Motos is mostly attributed to coasting when the terrain allows you too. But its quite noticeable over a longer ride. I'd say 10-15% more range.

Well of course... that's an off road racing tire typically used for a bike that's transported to the trails to compete.
That's from one extreme to the other... and knobbies come in a wide variation as well... Even nobbly

 

[MartsEbike]

Well of course... that's an off road racing tire typically used for a bike that's transported to the trails to compete.
That's one extreme to the other.

Let me remind you of the title of this thread.

How much difference do street tires make compared to knobbies​

 

[il Munduato]

Let me remind you of the title of this thread.

How much difference do street tires make compared to knobbies​

Tru dat.

 

[MartsEbike]

Tru dat.

I bought the E-Wilds for Off-Road use - where they excel. They were never intended for the road or general purpose use.

But I rarely transport my bike via vehicle to a location. I tend to ride directly from home to tracks and trails in the local area. Usually within a 30 mile radius.

Although I'd try stay off-road as much as possible, inevitably I'd come across roads that I need to navigate to get to the prime locations for riding. And this is where you felt the pain of having knobbly tyres!

 

[il Munduato]

I bought the E-Wilds for Off-Road use - where they excel. They were never intended for the road or general purpose use.

But I rarely transport my bike via vehicle to a location. I tend to ride directly from home to tracks and trails in the local area. Usually within a 30 mile radius.

Although I'd try stay off-road as much as possible, inevitably I'd come across roads that I need to navigate to get to the prime locations for riding. And this is where you felt the pain of having knobbly tyres!

I get it... Just stating yours is an extreme example. You can't blame the snake for biting you... He told you he was a snake.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I bought the E-Wilds for Off-Road use - where they excel. They were never intended for the road or general purpose use.

But I rarely transport my bike via vehicle to a location. I tend to ride directly from home to tracks and trails in the local area. Usually within a 30 mile radius.

Although I'd try stay off-road as much as possible, inevitably I'd come across roads that I need to navigate to get to the prime locations for riding. And this is where you felt the pain of having knobbly tyres!

That's what happens when you installed tyres similar to Moto-X and decided you wanted to take a shortcut through the forest...



For this and similar reasons my Vado 6.0 is equipped with 47 mm Specialized Pathfinder Pro (was Specialized Electrak 2.0 in the photo). Pathfinders have a smooth centre tread with small knobs progressively becoming bigger outside.

I have found Schwalbe Johnny Watts (different submodels) very similar in the design but with wider tyres.

 

[MartsEbike]

That's what happens when you installed tyres similar to Moto-X and decided you wanted to take a shortcut through the forest...

View attachment 184014

For this and similar reasons my Vado 6.0 is equipped with 47 mm Specialized Pathfinder Pro (was Specialized Electrak 2.0 in the photo). Pathfinders have a smooth centre tread with small knobs progressively becoming bigger outside.

I have found Schwalbe Johnny Watts (different submodels) very similar in the design but with wider tyres.

Haha yes this was nearly me just a few days ago Stefan! I was out just sightseeing/enjoying the weather. I had the Super-Motos tyres on my bike.

I found myself near Woburn Bike Park. I had no intentions of going on the tracks there, but wouldn't you believe it my Garmin recalculated my route and sent me through the Bike Park to reach a nearby road. Being lost at the time I had little choice but follow the directions.

Anyways, the park was quite busy that day, and to the bemusement of other riders they watched me slipping, sliding and wheel spinning all over the place!

Luckily I never fell off!

I have tried some other tyres in the past, but struggled to find the perfect "all round" tyre. Hence I opted for two different types of tyre to cover both styles of riding.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

but wouldn't you believe it my Garmin recalculated my route

That happened to me just yesterday!

The black arrows mark the proper course (all asphalt). I made a single navigation error that took us off course. Re-planned the route and that forced my friend riding a road bike to cope with crushed rock, loose gravel and some sand! He was prepared though and rode slowly and carefully.

I really needed all-rounder tyres, that's why Pathfinder Pro on my Vado and Johnny Watts on the e-MTB. You can judge the quality by silent rides on asphalt and a lot of grip off-road.

 

[MartsEbike]

That happened to me just yesterday!

The black arrows mark the proper course (all asphalt). I made a single navigation error that took us off course. Re-planned the route and that forced my friend riding a road bike to cope with crushed rock, loose gravel and some sand! He was prepared though and rode slowly and carefully.

I really needed all-rounder tyres, that's why Pathfinder Pro on my Vado and Johnny Watts on the e-MTB. You can judge the quality by silent rides on asphalt and a lot of grip off-road.

I was reading your ride report yesterday! I must admit I was impressed with your friend covering 100km on a traditional bike - I don't know if I have the stamina to do that!

But if anyone is reading and thinking - I might need the Michelin E-Wilds. Let me also say I'm not entirely satisfied with these tyres ever. Although the grip is great, I found the sidewall prematurely wearing, with slight cracks appearing in less than 1000 miles of riding. I'm pretty good at checking tyre pressures regularly so this came as a surprise. These are meant to be an "E-bike" rated tyre!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

What is the tyre size?