Bicycle Mechanics - Tires for 26" and 24" not-really Mountain Bikes

We recently got bikes for my wife and daughter. Both are mountain bikes, because they prefer the more upright position. However, they're both going to be riding on pavement 99 44/100% of the time, making the mountain bike tires less than ideal.

What do the wiser heads recommend as a replacement tire in this kind of scenario? Cost is unfortunately an issue. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Kotts

Kenda makes inexpensive slicks for both sizes, but you may need to order the 24".

I'm fairly fond of the Nimbus series from Specialized.

My wife and daughter both ride bikes with the high pressure version of the Kenda Kwest. I paid $10 per tire and I'd buy them again. Some places list the high pressure version as recumbent tires. I bought expensive Continentals for my mountain bike and my wife says they're ugly. I disagree, but they certainly don't ride any better than the Kendas.

Yes I have slicks on my 24" mountain bike and I previously used them on a 26" mountain bike. MUCH safer, paticuarly in the wet. Knobbies on wet bitumen are just diabolical and the medical bills will be more than the cost of tires.

The slicks you can get for 24" mountain bikes are only the inexpensive one's anyway.

Regards, Anthony

The slicks you can get for 24" mountain bikes are only the inexpensive one's anyway.


Not true. I've got a pair of 24x2.0" Schwalbe Big Apples and they're awesome. Not cheap, though.

Not true. I've got a pair of 24x2.0" Schwalbe Big Apples and they're awesome. Not cheap, though.

OK i forgot about Schwalbes. There's some high quality Vredestiens available to now that I think about it but you have to track them down.

Anyway I have some cheap 24" slicks which work well although they get far too many punctures in my opinion given how much rubber they have but not a lot of choice realy. Actualy maybe they don't get that many punctures its just that I expected better compared to my flimsy racing tires.

Regards, Anthony

1.5" width is about right for a general purpose slick tyre.

What do the wiser heads recommend as a replacement tire in this kind of scenario? Cost is unfortunately an issue.

--- Here is a deal on Innova Swifter City Tires for $9.95, but I do not know their reputation.
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=IKSCT&tnum=424824&c=566102

??Anybody have experience with the Innova Swifter City Tire?

I'm fairly fond of the Nimbus series from Specialized.

+1 I've been running them on an old Specialized MTB for many years. They aren't real expensive but more than the Kendas. On the other hand, they last a long time and are virtually flat proof. Your kids will outgrow the bikes before they wear out. Good luck

Tim

My MTB's tire size is 26"x1.95", the slicks that I found are thinner, will they fit?

My MTB's tire size is 26"x1.95", the slicks that I found are thinner, will they fit?

Yes thinner will fit within reason. The critical issue is Bead Seat Diameter (BSD). The BSD for 26" mountain bikes is 559 mm. Look for 559x47c or something such on the tire. A 1.5" wide slick is pretty normal but maybe a 1" slick is too small for wide rims.

Regards, Anthony

these are awesome.

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14145-320_IRCSM5-3-Parts-73-Tires/Mountain/IRC-Smoothie-Tire.htm

erader

Thanks guys!