The Portland Bicycle: Heretical Suggestion about Tires

Another entry in our series to design an entry-level commuter bike for design and manufacture here in Portland. A re-cap on the target market:

– beginning rider
– short trips, or used in conjunction with a bus for longer trips
– ridden in street clothes
– $300 or under

Today’s topic is tires. Flat tires may be a significant fear of beginning riders. With this in mind, what’s the best way to overcome this concern without sacrificing performance?

Should we consider a solid tire? Is that a heretical thought?

Is a wide tire better? What’s the trade-off between flat resistance and pavement resistance?

Let us know what you think entry-level commuters need or want.