Bicycle Mechanics - 26x1 on MB??

I'm turning the old steel MtB into my commuter. I have put 26x1" (city slickers) tires on her and it all seems okay. However, I recall reading somewhere that I should not go that small (1"). Any thoughts before I go out this weekend to run it thru the paces?

If there are risks could someone please tell me what they may be?

Thanks,

ehenz

Depends on the width of your rim. Some Mtn bike rims used for DH racing are very wide, and a very narrow tire like that will not seat correctly on the bead. However, if you've got a standard rim, you shouldn't have a problem.

You're gonna find out how fast you can go with slicks. On my bike it probably made a 2 mph difference over knobbies.

L8r

I have an old Trek 850 that I use for commuting that I have put 1 inch Ritchie Tom slicks on. It rides great, handles well and travels fast. I don't know how far you are talking about riding but I have ridden mine on several 25-30 mile rides and averaged 16 mph on this bike, I usually average around17-18 on my road bike in the same conditions. I run 650 presta tubes in mine BTW and haven't had aproblem yet. I have the old bike set up with rack, pack, paniers and lights, so this is the bike I ride at night.

Night riding, lots of fun!:D

Do keep in mind that your bike now sits about one inch closer to the ground than it was designed to, so you might catch a pedal on the ground if you pedal through corners that didn't used to be a problem :)

Originally posted by mechBgon
Do keep in mind that your bike now sits about one inch closer to the ground than it was designed to, so you might catch a pedal on the ground if you pedal through corners that didn't used to be a problem :)

Also take care when going thru humps.. i nearly crashed when my pedal hit the hump.. I also use 1" slicks.

Just rode around Lake Tahoe with 1" tires... 72 Miles. You can really fly. I was able to hang with all but maybe 5% of the roadies (who were clearly hardcore). A couple times, an hour would pass and I'd have been drafting in a pack of 8 or 12 riders and never dipped below 24 MPH! Awesome!

That said.... It will make your bike look VERY STRANGE! And, perhaps more importantly, ruin your gearing ratios. I rode in my highest gear (rapped out) for 75% of the ride! Your wheels are much smaller now (2.2 inches smaller in diameter to be exact). It's very frusterating to rap out at 30 MPH on a long downhill, watch everyone else pedal by you with ease, and all you can do is tuck and try not to touch the brakes...

Give 'em a shot though! They'll make you salivate for a real road bike, which by coincidence, I'll be owning 2 of by the end of the month! :)

Mike