Silvio on unpaved paths?

[tallaussiesje]

Hi:

My regular (almost daily) bike commute is just over 12 miles, but it includes about 3 miles of dirt path (the Capital Crescent Trail in the Maryland burbs of DC). Its not like a mountain bike trail, but its often not in great shape. I am 6'4" and about 230lb, so the weight on the wheels and frame can be an issue on rough trail. I am happy handling this on a MTB, a steel frame road bike with 700x28C tyres, and an old VisionR42 bent, but not keen to put a higher end road bike through that. Of course, the Silvio has suspension.

Can any Silvio riders comment? Perhaps I should look at the Quest instead.

 

[Charles.Plager]

Hi,
At least one advantage of

Hi,

At least one advantage of the Quest (or Sofrider) is the ability to put on tires wider than 700x28. If the trail is bad enough, wider tires will definitely make it better.

Cheers,
Charles

 

[John Tolhurst]

wider tires, lower pressures

Silvio with 700x28 and 80 to 90 psi. This would be pretty good.

Quest 2.0 max tyre size is 26 x 1.25, hope to increase that soon.

Sofrider can take pretty wide tires, up to 1.75" or 2".

 

[georgec]

I don't hesitate to ride paths like this on the Silvio

I have 700x25C Continental Gatorskin tires at 120PSI on the Silvio and I don't hesitate to ride paths that are very similar to what you describe. I am 5'10" 165#

There is no denying that it can be a bit squirrelly when the path is damp or soft or loose or covered with wet leaves etc, but not significantly more so than a road bike with the same tires in the same conditions would be.

In my case, I could probably improve the ride by lowering the inflation as John suggests, but I found that 120 PSI prevents the pinch flats that nasty pavement in some other parts of my daily ride were producing.

So... if you are good on the path on your road bike, I think you will be good on the Silvio too.

 

[John Tolhurst]

700c x 28 at 100 psi might be

700c x 28 at 100 psi might be a good setup for mixed surfaces.

 

[georgec]

I agree with John.
Regarding

I agree with John.

Regarding my setup:

Now that I mounted full length fenders, the 700x25's just barely fit so 700x28 is not an option.

Since I upped the pressure to 120 I have 0 flats. 100 PSI would no doubt be more comfortable, but I find that 120 has made the tires bullet proof, and I like that too.