Bicycle Mechanics - Bomb proof city tires?

Hi.. im new here, but need advice on tires, The tires on my bike are getting a lil tired and need replaced. It is a crappy old schwinn FS MTB from a big box store:eek:, (no worries, I got a Specialized on layaway at the LBS with IGH gears... IMA LOVE THAT!!!) [:mad:looks at drailer and curses it @#$@!:mad:]

back to tires...

I need a tire thats both very fast and tough, I ride maybe 99% road, 1% everything else... so it needs to be a good fast low resistance road tire thats practically bomb proof, there is a lot of drunks around here that like to smash glass things... I have stuck with the stock knobbies, wich seems a good choice sinc i have only had 1 flat in 2 yrs, and over 2k miles.. not bad for a Target POS...LOL BUT... im SICK of riding knobbies.. the rolling resistance is AWFUL... I switched a $150 mongoose to cheap road slicks about 4 yrs ago... and WOW... that ride got so much easier... but the tires were a bit thin and constantly went flat..

the specialized im getting is equipped with Nimbus tires, the flack jacket version, not armadillo, are those still prety tough?.. they seemed to stick to the road like glue when I rode it too.. almost hit a car... swerved at almost a right angle... my MTB wulda dumped on that one....LOL So should I get some of those for the MTB? or something else(mtb is FS, specialized is a rigid frame commuter bike)... I wanna keep it around for a beater when I get the specialized, but it seriously need tires.. and should I upgrade the specialized tires to the armadillo or does it really matter? Im sold on the nimbus since it saved my ass in a close call when my MTB tires woulda killed me..

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEquipPopup.jsp?equipimage=/OA_MEDIA/2008/bikes/9286-50_l.jpg&equipmodel=Globe%20Elite%20IG8 <--this the bike I have on layaway on the LBS... I fell in love with it when I rode it.. after several other road and MTB's.. this has the performance of a road bike with the feel of a MTB... and the gears are just incredible... so is shiftin while sittin still..LOL... Its a heavy tough frame too... Im tough on bikes, ill break an ultralight like a twig hopping the occasional curb, POWER in top gear up hills... I hate going slow.. so yes im strong as hell, I blow out a Bottom bracket a month on my current bike.. No I havent upgraded it to a cartridge, big box bike aint worth it..LOL)

I just hope that IGH holds up... I have had 3 speeds in the past, they never complained (usually its the BB that gives on me).. so I hope the nexus 8 will talk my HULK power like my last sturmy did... It will be wonderful to finally be rid of the derailer hell..LOL....

One more questioune, offtopic, has anybody ever managed to post here from a wap browser in a cellphone? just curious...


thanks for any info...

peace!

Take a look at Schwalbe tires with the puncture liner.

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/schwalbe.asp

Continental Gatorskins

I don't think Gatorskins will work on a mtn-bike.

Continental makes a 26x1 1/8" Gatorskin:

http://www.rei.com/product/768508

That said, Schwalbe Marathon Plus are the consensus bomb-proof tire on the commuting forum.

I'm pretty sure the fractional (1 1/8") is a different tire size from the decimal (e.g. 1.50"), and so won't fit a 26" mountain bike wheel.

+1 Schwalbe Marathon Plus. Heavy muthas, but truly puncture proof.

http://schwalbetires.com/marathon_plus

I'm pretty sure the fractional (1 1/8") is a different tire size from the decimal (e.g. 1.50"), and so won't fit a 26" mountain bike wheel.

I can understand why you'd think that, but the Conti website gives them an ERTO size of 28x559. That's a standard MTB 26 diameter, right? The width might be a bit small, depending on the rim.

HOLY @#$&!.... WOW I think im sold on that marathon plus... dont know how true the thumbtack not penetrating is, but if they can claim that, its gotta be one hell of a tire.. but I really like those slick kojacks... that just SCREAMS SPEEEEEEED

thanks for the advice...

those are some nice tires..

if you want speed and puncture resistance consider the Marathon supremes or Pasela TG.

the schwalbe marathon supreme is almost as flat proof as the marathon plus and it is much lighter and has less rolling resistance. schwalbe big apples are my favorite city tire, though not as flat proof as the two fore mentioned tires. serfes drifters are pretty bomb proof and sell alot cheaper than the schwalbes if you are on a tighter buget

I can understand why you'd think that, but the Conti website gives them an ERTO size of 28x559. That's a standard MTB 26 diameter, right? The width might be a bit small, depending on the rim.

I've used the gators on a MTB and they are very very tight. The main reasons I got rid of them is because of the amount of punctures I got and how hard they were to change.

Schwalbe make the best tyres for commuting and touring full stop, if you don't mind a little extra weight. I'm about to get a Salsa Fargo fitted with Big Apples. I'm over 35 now so comfort is more important than speed.

Choccy...

Armadillo Nimbus....I ride through all kinds of junk..
They seem to wear like iron as well, I've ridden them on my Expedition for 3 years...

if you want speed and puncture resistance consider the Marathon supremes or Pasela TG.
There is a bit of a trade off between the Marathon Plus and the Marathon Supreme. If puncture resistance is the primary requirement, the plus is the one, if it's speed first, then it's the Supreme.
Both fantastic tires to be sure.

I just installed some armidillo roadies. They looked really tough, but I suspected that they might be slick in the rain wheras the rubber was pretty hard. My suspisions were confirmed when I fell in the rain the other day that my old Michelins could have handeled.

I love these tires and they are not expensive

Innova Swiftor City Tire

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/piksct/innova_swiftor_city_tire/pp.htm