I'm a bit of a dope compared to the others, but I generally run a 2" beach cruiser tire on my street bikes. I would love to convert them both to a rear moped tire and rim though, because they are cargo bikes.
My issue is rarely wear out time, the cheap ass Walmart beach cruiser tires will last me about 2000 miles. 4000 on the front wheel. But what constantly happens on the roads I ride, is nails, screws, bolts, etc are everywhere. So the front wheel tips up the huge metal spike, then the back wheel hits it and there goes another tire. I've had tires do this in the first 5 miles twice. In the first month even more. So in short, I buy a twenty buck tire because I am thrilled if I get 6 months from a back tire.
Maybe I'm dead wrong, but I seriously doubt big apples can take a half inch lag bolt, folded up 16 penny nail, or sheetrock screw through the sidewall. So I haven't tried running expensive tires on my streets.
Part of my problem is where I live. To get anywhere, I pretty much have to ride a bike lane on the freeway frontage. Because of idiotic government shit, the street I live on gets swept at least once a year, possibly twice. But the state maintains that frontage, and sweeps it at least every 5 years, when they re stripe. I actually go out with a broom and shovel and hand clean the first couple miles by my house. But 12 miles of road to clean is just too much for me.
I'm wondering at the moment, about installing some kind of deflector plate on the bike, like a pavement dragging fender on the rear wheel. Something that would kick a flipping nail to the side before the tire catches it.
The entire problem, is a result of riding in a bike lane. Cars throw all the trash to the side.
