Mountain Biking - Tires

Hi,

I am wanting to swap the tires on my Brodie Bruzza. The ones it came with were way too big and the ones the bike shop swapped them to are not the highest quality either.

I am doing alot of road cycling right now but some of the pathways are loose gravel or very rough, badly damaged roads so I don't really want the semi-slicks. Just one notch up.

Are the Specialized Team Control and Master teams any good ? How about Michelin ?
Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

Some puncture resistant tires would be good.
I am looking in the $30-40 (CDN) range.

Justen

You could try the Specialized Crossroads: (http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?section=12863&browselevel=tires&JServSessionIdroot=uh07xyv372.j27001)
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2003/equip/01crossroadsex_d.jpg
Here are some Reviews (http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Tire/product_23321.shtml)

I have a set of these for those times when my girlfriend can't decide if she wants to ride road or dirt. Granted these are biased towards street but they'll get the job done on LIGHT trails. One other thing I used to use these for commuting but discovered that the knobs and large size were kind of slow for my taste. I've sinced switched to Specialized Nimbus EX's: (http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?section=12918&browselevel=tires&JServSessionIdroot=uh07xyv372.j27001)
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2003/equip/tirenimbus_d.jpg
I REALLY like them they're FAST and the Flak Jacket (kevlar belt) is VERY nice. :)
Nimbus Reviews (http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Tire/product_23329.shtml) Alan the first reviewer is an idiot. IMHO I've had them for quite awhile and couldn't begin to complain. There is one thing though they are a pain in the @$$ to put on, the bead is that tight. You'll burn through those Team Control tires much faster than either of the two I've mentioned that that seem to be more suited for what your looking for.

What about the Michelin Comp S? They're 1.95 inches wide, and have a relatively light knobby design and roll fast. Michelin also makes a semi slick that's perfect for hardpack trails and the street.. it's called the Jet S.

Originally posted by Raiyn
I have a set of these for those times when my girlfriend can't decide if she wants to ride road or dirt. Granted these are biased towards street but they'll get the job done on LIGHT trails. One other thing I used to use these for commuting but discovered that the knobs and large size were kind of slow for my taste.

Hi,
Thanks for the suggestions. I especially like the
crossroads tire you mentioned. The tire I have now has major rolling resistance. I don't mind some because I want to try and get a dual purpose tire.

I like the wider tires - I have a pair of semi-slicks on my old mtb and it looks stupid. Great for commuting but otherwise, does not look like a mountain bike at all.

I guess looks shouldn't matter but what it boils down to is that I just want a good dual purpose kind of tire that I can do some light off roading with but decrease my rolling resistance just a little on the roads.

Justen

Another vote for the Michelin Jet S's. I threw a set on my parents' bikes and they have worked great from commuting to just riding around for fun to some of the lighter trails around here. I've found nearly everything I have bought from Michelin to be a good product and run a set on my race MTB and my road bike. Want some more inut on puncture resistance and what other people think about them? Check out www.mtbr.com.

-Moab

Originally posted by Justen
Hi,
Thanks for the suggestions. I especially like the
crossroads tire you mentioned. The tire I have now has major rolling resistance. I don't mind some because I want to try and get a dual purpose tire.

I like the wider tires - I have a pair of semi-slicks on my old mtb and it looks stupid. Great for commuting but otherwise, does not look like a mountain bike at all.

I guess looks shouldn't matter but what it boils down to is that I just want a good dual purpose kind of tire that I can do some light off roading with but decrease my rolling resistance just a little on the roads.

Justen

You live in a prime area to own two sets of wheels. The road wheels can be a lower quality and build a second set for offroad. This way you don't have to find a tire that scrifices anything on the road or on the trails. I would definately go that route if I still lived in Van. Its a bit more money but worth the investment...OR buy two sets of tires and pull them off and put them on. For the trails in your area there is no good slick that wll work and you will always be slipping and loosing the fun of that bike.

Enjoy.

[edit]

Just saw your price range...well I would at least have two sets of tires to swap on and off. It only take about 10 minutes for a full swap (with qr20 front) of both tires but it would definately be worth it.

yeah and if you swap your tires all the time just think how fast you'll be at replacing flats on the trail. =)