Question on bike tires and rolling friction.

[crumpet19]

Which tire offers less rolling friction?:
A tire with thick knobbies or a tire with shorter knobbies (slick tire)?

Assume it's the same bike, the tires are the same width and height, and the weight/load is the same.

I realize it's such a small amount that it wouldn't matter, but I'm just curious.

 

[bob4432]

just from experience a slick tire inflated very high will have less rolling resistance than a dirt, aggressive knobby tire inflated equally. maybe it has to do with all the angles you get from a aggressive dirt tire?

 

The flexing of the large knobbies as they contact the ground causes greater rolling resistance than one with smaller knobbies.

 

[Viper GTS]

Slicks provide MUCH lower resistance, and it definitely DOES make a HUGE difference.

If you're riding a mountain bike primarily on pavement, do yourself a favor & get slicks.

It makes it a much more enjoyable ride (read:faster).

Viper GTS