Bicycle Mechanics - Tire selection

Hi,

I have a Nishiki Mountain Bike, 26" frame, from about 3 or 4 years ago. I haven't ridden it as much as I'd like, but I am going to start riding to work everyday on it. Currently, I have some real knobby tires on there, for trail riding, but I am looking for something for city/street riding.

The current tires on there say 26x2.10 for the size. When I did a search online for tires, many of them were 26x1.75 or 26x1.5, and I couldn't find many at all that were 26x2.10. Does the 2.10 describe the width? Or can I use any 26" tire, and the 2.10 doesn't matter? How do I go about buying new city tires for this bike?

Thanks for your help,
Kevin

Hi,

I have a Nishiki Mountain Bike, 26" frame, from about 3 or 4 years ago. I haven't ridden it as much as I'd like, but I am going to start riding to work everyday on it. Currently, I have some real knobby tires on there, for trail riding, but I am looking for something for city/street riding.

The current tires on there say 26x2.10 for the size. When I did a search online for tires, many of them were 26x1.75 or 26x1.5, and I couldn't find many at all that were 26x2.10. Does the 2.10 describe the width? Or can I use any 26" tire, and the 2.10 doesn't matter? How do I go about buying new city tires for this bike?

Thanks for your help,
Kevin


You can put any 26" tire on your bike. You are correct about the 2.1 describing the width of the tire, though it is not an exact measurement. I run 26 X 1.25" tires on my street MTB without any problems. You can find several postings on this site where people discuss the appropriate size slicks. People use a variety from 26 X 1" to 26 X 2", with the most common probably being 1.25 or 1.5. The pressure in the tires makes a big difference too. Get a slick tire that can run at least 80 PSI, and you sill not believe the difference in the ride compared to what you are running now. I run 90-100 PSI on my MTB, and it works great.

Here is a thread
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=45553

and another
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=47779

You can try a couple of places to get slicks for your bike. Of course your local bike shop, then there is Performancebike.com, nashbar.com, pricepoint.com, supergo.com, jensonusa.com, and several others.

I have used IRC metros and the performance house brand slick, both at 1.25" and both running 90 PSI. They have worked great.

Enjoy your ride.

edit: I was assuming for all of the above opinions and information that you are running your bike on the street. If you are running it on the street you will see a great improvement.

26x whatever (not less than the width or your rim) will work. I use 26x1 tom slicks and they work great (115 PSI).

I will be riding on the shoulders and/or sidewalks on my way to work.

My current tires only go to 50 PSI I believe, so it will be a nice difference.

Looking at that other thread you posted, some people were talking about their weight. I'm around 280 (though hoping to lose some of that because of riding every day). Should I put a slightly lower PSI because of my weight?

Thanks,
Kevin

At 280, you'd need a higher psi otherwise you'll pinch your tube flat. As far as ride comfort and general running over trash ability is concerned, anywhere between 1.5-2" is good. You air em up anywhere near 90% max psi and the contact patch is so small friction isn't that much of a problem for a commuter anyway.
I use specialized hemisphere's that are 26x1.95. Once inflated up to 80psi, the contact patch is really small, the area that touches the ground is only 3/8" wide but it provides a plush ride when going over debris and pot holes. The flakjacket protection isn't as strong as their hemisphere's with armadillo protection but it does well enough on trashy NYC streets. I've only gotten 1 flat so far and that's from riding into a beer bottle, crushing it, and having flying glass all over the place.
I'd stay off the sidewalks if I were you, to avoid being hooked by cars and running into pedestrians. Get a mirror, it will give you a bit more awareness on the roads.

I will be riding on the shoulders and/or sidewalks on my way to work.

My current tires only go to 50 PSI I believe, so it will be a nice difference.

Looking at that other thread you posted, some people were talking about their weight. I'm around 280 (though hoping to lose some of that because of riding every day). Should I put a slightly lower PSI because of my weight?

Thanks,
Kevin
I still weigh in over 300# and I run mine (26 x 1.5 )around 80 psi most of the time. its a little smoother at 60 but they seem faster on smooth streets. sometimes I ride home throught the allys and I lower the pressure then,but I dont think I would have too. I have been doing this since I started riding again the first of march,with much sucsess.(no flats ;)

I will be riding on the shoulders and/or sidewalks on my way to work.

My current tires only go to 50 PSI I believe, so it will be a nice difference.

Looking at that other thread you posted, some people were talking about their weight. I'm around 280 (though hoping to lose some of that because of riding every day). Should I put a slightly lower PSI because of my weight?

Thanks,
Kevin

For your usage I am going to recommend Specialized Nimbus EX Armadillo tires size 26x1.5. That's an 80psi tire.

The smooth tread at 80 psi will help prevent pinch flats and will be easier to pedal. Be sure to pump them all the way up to 80psi due to your weight and to check the air pressure at least once a week. The Arnadillo casing is the most puncture resistant tire out there. That's a comforting thing when you are riding to work on road shoulders that are likely to contain a lot of broken glass.

You'll have to buy them from either an LBS that sells Specialized or on line from Specialized Dealer Direct.

Good luck!

For your usage I am going to recommend Specialized Nimbus EX Armadillo tires size 26x1.5. That's an 80psi tire.

The smooth tread at 80 psi will help prevent pinch flats and will be easier to pedal. Be sure to pump them all the way up to 80psi due to your weight and to check the air pressure at least once a week. The Arnadillo casing is the most puncture resistant tire out there. That's a comforting thing when you are riding to work on road shoulders that are likely to contain a lot of broken glass.

You'll have to buy them from either an LBS that sells Specialized or on line from Specialized Dealer Direct.

Good luck!

Do those have enough tread on them to allow wet riding? I will probably still ride if it is lightly raining, and I want enough traction in the rain.

I think a tire like this might work: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/large_photo.cfm?SKU=1443&Store=Bike

though it doesn't have the puncture resistance you mentioned, so I'm still looking.

Thanks for all the advice.
-kevin

If you go on the specialized site (www.specialized.com) they sell tires direct. All their authorized sellers at bike shops also have to go by the price listed on the site. You can pick up a good pair with flakjacket or armadillo protection for 20-30 bucks ea.

Treads don't matter as much unless it gets really muddy in which case a slick might slide around more.

Tread patterns on road tires are there for cosmetic purposes, and don't enhance wet or dry performance. I use Nashbar 1.25 slicks and they work great. I'm pretty sure they're the same thing as the $9.99 Performance Slick City ST Road Use MTB Tire.

One thing to consider, if durability is important to you, is that skinnier slicks or semi slicks may be more prone to puncture than the average knobby MTB tire, simply because knobs tend to act to elevate the tire casing away from the road and skinnier slicks or semi slicks tend to be of fairly lightweight construction. I'd be willing to bet those road "cruiser" tires may offer more durability (at the expense of weight and pressure) since they generally seem to have a pretty heavy slab of rubber for tread. They're generally much wider, too, from 1.75" to 2.125".

Do those have enough tread on them to allow wet riding? I will probably still ride if it is lightly raining, and I want enough traction in the rain.

I think a tire like this might work: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/large_photo.cfm?SKU=1443&Store=Bike

though it doesn't have the puncture resistance you mentioned, so I'm still looking.

Thanks for all the advice.
-kevin

I agree with previous posters about tread design. I have used the performance slick city ST and 130PSI true slicks on my road bike and have never had a traction problem in rain or in dry conditions. The one time I did have a traction issue was with a road tire with tread (the hutchinson excel), but that is likely because they are made of relatively hard rubber compared to the tires I was used to riding.

All that being said, if tread makes you more confident, then it might be worthwhile getting a tire with some tread, because a lack of confidence will cause you to crash just a quickly as a lack of traction.