Mountain Biking - Question for those that run slicks as well as knobbies

When you guys change your off road tires to slicks for city use, do you have a set of slicks already mounted on spare rims with cassette already on? Or do you simply switch tires on your existing rim?

I guess what I am asking is; do you have a dedicated set of wheels w/cassette with slicks already mounted so all you need to do is swap wheels?

When you guys change your off road tires to slicks for city use, do you have a set of slicks already mounted on spare rims with cassette already on? Or do you simply switch tires on your existing rim?

I change tires.

Benefits:
- much cheaper than a whole new wheelset
- you practise a necessary skill on a weekly basis

Problems:
- takes time (I'm down to 20 minutes to change both tires)
- always a chance you can pinch a tube everytime you change a tire

When you guys change your off road tires to slicks for city use, do you have a set of slicks already mounted on spare rims with cassette already on? Or do you simply switch tires on your existing rim?

I guess what I am asking is; do you have a dedicated set of wheels w/cassette with slicks already mounted so all you need to do is swap wheels?
Well I have a second bike for city use, but before that I used to swap tires.

I'm down to 20 minutes to change both tires
I've never timed myself. What does everyone think, is 20 minutes for both tyres quick? I reckon I could shave a few minutes off that.

I've never timed myself. What does everyone think, is 20 minutes for both tyres quick? I reckon I could shave a few minutes off that.

Sounds a little long to me, but those slicks can be a bear to get on/off at times. I have an extra wheelset and used to have another cassette for it, but wore it out. Besides, it's actually pretty fast just pulling the cassette and sticking it on the other set, provided you have the proper tool. Of course, I don't ride road anymore:p so I'm not quite sure what I wanna use my extras for at the moment.

Two wheelsets, without a doubt. Minor adjustments to discs after swapping, but totally worth the money. Also have two bikes, so depending on mood and conditions, can mix and match.

only have one wheelset, switch tires...

I'm tired of switching, I use knobbies in the city :rolleyes:

Two 26" wheelsets, I just swap the cassette back and forth as needed. One wheelset is super easy to change, I can change/pump both tires in like 5 minutes but the other takes almost half an hour and a few drops of blood and sweat.

I used to switch from knobbies to slicks (and back, of course ; ); didn't seem to take too long and you get much faster with practice.

Now, 90%+ of my riding is off-road so I just run the knobbies all the time.

there are always the semi-slicks...

there are always the semi-slicks...

Semi slicks are not good for pavement. The big nobbies on the edges of the tires don't do so well when cornering on the road.

Semi slicks are not good for pavement. The big nobbies on the edges of the tires don't do so well when cornering on the road.
so it's really like the worst of both worlds then...

I'm tired of switching, I use knobbies in the city :rolleyes:

Right on, Brother! You never know when some delicious piece of trail might come your way! If I want to ride on the smooth, I ride a road bike.

One wheelset...I also switch tires. It's kind of a pain sometimes, but I can't afford the extra wheelset. If you can afford it...I say "Go for it!"
Knobbies on the road is just brutal...both to your legs and the knobs.

so it's really like the worst of both worlds then...

I really like Tioga City Slickers (if they still even make them). They could handle fair to medium off-road conditions, too, when the situation arose (not like good knobby could, of course).

Semi slicks are not good for pavement. The big nobbies on the edges of the tires don't do so well when cornering on the road.

I run Specialized Crossroads EX on my mountain bike commuter, and even when I outrun my gearing (44x12) going down a hill, turns tend to be wide but not by any means unmanageable. I haven't tried any fast cornering in the rain, though. Also the hills around where I go aren't all that long, maybe if I were to really hit some speed things would be different. I'm all with cyccommute on taking the opportunity when it arises - I love unpaved "shortcuts."

I run slicks on my bike and switch to knobbies when i need to. I was going to take it a step further and run disc brakes so i could use 700c on my bike. Its one of the many projects that I would like to do.

I've never timed myself. What does everyone think, is 20 minutes for both tyres quick? I reckon I could shave a few minutes off that.
20min is long, but it is what I take Friday nights and Sunday when swapping tires in my garage. But I am not going for time, I am also inspecting rim, cleaning cogs, wiping down areas that are otherwise blocked by wheel, checking brake alignment. I've never 'raced' a tire change, but 20min would lose.

I too recommend the tire swap, for the practice and time to be 'in tune' with your ride.

Al

I haven't tried any fast cornering in the rain, though.
That would be the main reason I retired mine. They get SCARY in the wet. You're better off on slicks

I dont bother changing them as I use semi-slicks. I didnt think they were that bad.

Although I did slide off while going round a corner (no grip!)

When you take the tires off what does everone use? I use kitchen utensils. lol

I dont bother changing them as I use semi-slicks. I didnt think they were that bad.

Although I did slide off while going round a corner (no grip!)

When you take the tires off what does everone use? I use kitchen utensils. lol
There are these wonderful things called "tire levers" :rolleyes:
They're really cheap
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=&sku=2462&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

I've never timed myself. What does everyone think, is 20 minutes for both tyres quick? I reckon I could shave a few minutes off that.

20 minutes is long (10 minutes per tire). I'm stlill developing this skill but I've always had a really hard time taking off the knobbies. I'm much quicker taking off my slicks (I'll time myself tomorrow and let you all know how long it takes).

This is why I don't mind switching tires twice a week (to and from knobbies) so that I can continue praciticing this skill. I actually lost my third tire lever somewhere in my garage. I think I'd be quicker taking off my knobbies with a third lever. I only need 2 for the slicks.

FWIW, I have the Tioga City Slickers and take some small off-road stuff. Feels squirrely but is fine.

I switch tires. I dont want to spend money on another set of wheels

switch tires. I would prefer a city bike tho :) But in the meantime I switch tires.