Tyre change for my Brompton G-Line

My G-Line, which came fitted with the Brompton G-Line specific, 'Schwalbe G-One' tyres and it would be true to say that I have been vey happy with them. However, the prospect of better weather and some longer rides, I decided to make a change. 

If you have read my previous blog post CLICK HERE you will know that the off-road aspect of the G-Line is somewhat of a novelty to yours truly. I decided to swap the Schwalbe tyres for some 'Continental Contact Urban.' It also marked the first attempt at taking the front and rear wheel off. After watching the Brompton video, I took the plunge and did not actually find it too bad at all. I think that performing a puncture repair in the field might be a little more effort but doable. After using a torque wrench and pumping them up to the higher psi, I put the bike aside for the next day. 

As I put the G-line away with my standard Brompton next to it, the new tyres, in my opinion, make the bike look even better. In addition to that, as my standard Brompton had the same tyres but on 16x inch wheels, it really highlighted the size difference between the bikes - perhaps more so than previously. 

The day arrived for taking the G-Line out with its new tyres and as I headed off, straight away the bike felt different in terms of how it rolled. It did so more freely and I could get up to and maintain higher speeds more easily. Cycling up Swain's felt easier than it had with the Schwalbe tyres on. 

Ironically, the group ride I went on involved a sizeable chunk of cycling on a gravel path - a former railway line in North London. I did feel the bumps and lumps a little more but it was still pretty good, comfortable ride and not really a huge difference as the tyres are still a wide diameter. 

As mentioned, the Continentals definitely roll better, make it easier to cycle and require less effort get to and maintain higher speeds. They are obviously not as good off road as the Schwalbe tyres, nor do they absorb the ruff stuff in quite the same way. 

They will now stay on my G-Line until the winter and the Schwalbe's will be safely stored away until the weather gets really grotty. I will let you know I how get on with them in a few weeks but after cycling about 60 miles with them, I am impressed. 

Until next time, stay safe out there people!