Mountain Biking - Dumb newbie question

My 2003 Tassajara came standard with Bontrager rims (corvair I think) The wheel is a standard 26x 2.1 IRC mythos XC.
If I decided later to do a lot of asphalt riding, what tire sizes could I use?? There was a good recommendation for Kenda Kwest tires in Mtn. Bike Action. Is the 26 size comparable to 650? or are they different animals?? Basically since I've been out of the loop for a few years, I'd like to know what tires (road type) and sizes will work on my 26 factory rims???

Originally posted by Flintlock
My 2003 Tassajara came standard with Bontrager rims (corvair I think) The wheel is a standard 26x 2.1 IRC mythos XC.
If I decided later to do a lot of asphalt riding, what tire sizes could I use?? There was a good recommendation for Kenda Kwest tires in Mtn. Bike Action. Is the 26 size comparable to 650? or are they different animals?? Basically since I've been out of the loop for a few years, I'd like to know what tires (road type) and sizes will work on my 26 factory rims???

There are tires called "slicks" which are specifically designed for mtn bikes. I just got a pair of 1.25" x 26" with no tread. I have yet to mount them, but in the past slicks really help with speed.

Mountain 26" is different from 650. There are lots of slicks for mountian bikes, ranging right down to 23mm Continental Grand Prix MTB, but that might be taking things to the extreme.

Thanx for the replies guys,....and MechBgon on a practical level, what size tire would be practical?? Is the Kenda Kwest 1.5 a decent tire?? or if you were me would you go with another choice?

The slicks will make a huge difference. I just got a clearance catalog from nashbar and they have some on closeout, go to www.nashbar.com or even to performance:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/index.html

What slick do you guys reccomend, i am doing a century soon with my mountain bike and i need some slicks.

i recommend the Panaracer Pasella's (spelling?). Kevlar, 26x1.25. i don't know if rim width can make a difference for the skinniest of tires though...my CrossMax rims are fairly wide, and the 1.25 is pretty much the same width as the rims..lol. I've used these tires for commuting and they're awesome. Light and fast.

About anything will do, remember you are riding a mountain bike so you still won't get road performance so don't spend alot of cash. I have used 1.5" on mine and they are good. You will, however, get much better performance on the road with slicks than with your normal 2.1 knobs. A century on a mountain bike even with slicks will be a challenge, but a worthy one...