Mountain Biking - What's the best tire for trails/paved paths?

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA
chain777
06-23-05, 03:55 PM
I'm looking to put new tires on my 6 year old Trek 850. I mainly ride on paved trails, but also do some dirt/gravel riding. Something geared more towards pavement, but with some off-road capability is what I'm looking for.

Any recommendations?

the wonginator
06-23-05, 03:58 PM
maybe maxxis hookworms
1Fast4500
06-23-05, 04:10 PM
I forgot the model but panaracer makes a tire that is nearly a slick in the center but has some semi-beefy lugs on the sides for when you get into light off road /wet grass that kind of stuff.

hookworms won't go up moist grass. :)

Elisdad
06-23-05, 05:14 PM
I just bought these, so I haven't ridden on them yet, but I'd look at the Continental Twister Supersonic (http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/tires/mtb/twister/twister_en.html). http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/tires/mtb/twister/img/twister_en;property=original.jpg

The tread isn't overly aggressive on the road and it's good for smooth singletrack.
Raiyn
06-23-05, 05:29 PM
Perhaps the Continental "Town and Country" might work for you or perhaps the Specialized Crossroads.

Personally, I don't care for compromise tires, they usually aren't great in either category and that can be frustrating.
If you're riding trails on the weekend and pavement during the week why not just get a good set of knobbies and a decent set of slicks? It's not like changing a tire is that difficult.
chain777
06-23-05, 06:45 PM
maybe maxxis hookworms

I looked at these. They seem about what I'm looking for, but I'm concerned at what 1Fast4500 said. Is the traction really *that* bad?




Personally, I don't care for compromise tires, they usually aren't great in either category and that can be frustrating.

I hear what you're saying, but I don't do enough hard-core riding to justify an extra set of tires. I just need something that is going to be good on the pavement (last long and have decent traction) and usable on gravel/dirt trails. I don't care about mud or extreme rock/stump performance.

What about things like folding bead, Kevlar and such? I'm not sure what I should look for and what I should avoid.

Thanks for all the help!