Mountain Biking - What's the Best Slicks Available?

Just started to commute again my bike and now I need a good set of slicks. Any suggestions? 26X2.1 or close enough...Thanks for the suggestions!

You won't find much in fat slicks.... the Specialized Fatboy is a really nice 26" slick tyre w/ a flat resistant belt. Pretty light, too.

i like the Maxxis Hookworm. It's 26 x 2.5, only slightler more than what you wanted. Its a heavy (1.23kg ish) tyre, but i like it.

I run Ritchey Speedmax Pro 2.0's. They have knobbies on the edges which don't serve much of a purpose, but I run them @ 60psi and I love them. They're also cheap and light. I think they weigh 595g. I've flatted once when I ran over a rather large chunk of glass with a sharp point on it. Outside of that, they've been great tires.

IMO the Maxxis Hookworm isn't bad, but it is ridiculous how it has the thickest DH sidewall, I think it's for all those besky jagged rocks you find at the skate park.

Why a fat slick? Commuting is about speed. Fat tires only make you slow on pavement.

I'll second Seely, Fatboys are only 1 1/4" and take 100psi.

Can't remember if I had a pair of Fatboys or just wanted them, but I definitely had something similar and they worked really well. Wore them out long ago, but they lasted for a couple years anyway. Pretty thick rubber, IIRC.

IMO the Maxxis Hookworm isn't bad, but it is ridiculous how it has the thickest DH sidewall, I think it's for all those besky jagged rocks you find at the skate park.

the reason that the hookworm has thick sidewalls is because when doing grinds (especially stuff like feebles) often (almost always) the tyre rubs against the concrete or whatever and wears away the sidewall quick as.

without a thick sidewall, its a waste of money. BTW: i ride bmx

The hookworms are also ridiculously heavy... My Speedmaxes are less than half the weight and they roll quite well. Not as well as a 1.5" or smaller slick, but it should still do fine in most situations if you're not comfortable on such a thin high pressure tire. I've heard the smaller slicks (fatboys, tom slicks, etc) ride a LOT rougher due to the higher pressures. I run mine at 60 psi and they're not quite cushy, but not horribly harsh. The knobs on the side are pretty much useless. I'd almost wish they didn't bother putting them on. They say they're for increased traction when cornering in dirt, but I doubt many people even use these things on anything but pavement.

You can actually make a tire that would last py using hardcase sidewalls instead of thick normal case. It also makes them lighter.

If you just want to commute you want thin tires.

I used cheap 26x1.5 Performance slicks with slime liners or Mr. Tuffy. They also have 1.25s with a kevlar belt. Pretty speedy. 2.1s will not do anything for you except slow you down.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=2311&subcategory_ID=5425

Get a pair o' Halo Twin Rails. They are super cool, fast as hell, and can cope with loose, dry dirt if you decide to go there. If not, get a DMR Moto Rear tyre and something fairly burly on the front...

I think ritchey makes a cruiser tire called the moby bite that is 26x2.1 that is huge and slick.

i got a kenda flame for my rear tire .. 2.1 width .. rides nice

Why a fat slick? Commuting is about speed. Fat tires only make you slow on pavement.Still waiting to hear the reason.

like the Maxxis Hookworm. It's 26 x 2.5, only slightler more than what you wanted. Its a heavy (1.23kg ish) tyre, but i like it

I have hookworms on my patrol bike which is really just freeriding... hmmm

commuting these tires are way too heavy, and a drag to ride, get some slicks or town and country continientals... nice tires

Oh ya, 3 pounds is the difference between the tires I have and the ones that I want to get... hmmm, save 3 pounds (over 1200 grams) for 55 dollars...

For my commuter MTB I'm using Schwalbe Marathon Slick (http://www.schwalbetires.com/on_tour.php?Nickname=MARATHON%20SLICK&Image=TireImages/marathon_slick.jpg) tires in 26x1.75. It has two compounds (Silica (?) for better grip and hardwearing rubber for high mileage), is kevlar belted and has reflective sidewalls. Also available in 26 x 1.35. It came out as the best in a couple of Dutch and German bike magazine tests, including having the least rolling-resistance. They are indeed quite fast I must say. You might also want to try this question in the Commuting Forum.

Narrow, thin slicks make me nervous. I guess I'm just used to something near 1.90 to 2.1. As long as the narrow slicks are streetable, I mean that they have good handling, I would consider buying them. As far as the speed, Yeah, I'm open to a narrow slick. I average 13 mph now so if I could get something with less rolling resistance I'm in.

Still waiting to hear the reason.
A slightly higher speed (read: very little) with almost the same stablitiy?

Some peeps aint be comfy ridin the skinny 26" mtbs homie.

IRC Metro 26x2.1

A slightly higher speed (read: very little) with almost the same stablitiy?

Some peeps aint be comfy ridin the skinny 26" mtbs homie.

*gets punched in face by Raiyn*


Swifferman knock it off.

Specialized Hemisphere Armadillos. 1.95" width. I tried some Specialized Fatboys a few years back and the 1.5" width was just too twitchy on the mountain bike (and pretty harsh). And they made my wheels and the whole bike look like crizap. The Armadillos are very stable and fast. No need to run tire liners or thick tubes with these (at least I've not had any flats with these). Smooth sidewall that allows leaning into corners if applicable. Only had 'em about 5 months but I really like them for non-offroad use.

http://mtbr.com/reviews/Tire/product_72381.shtml

In all honesty I prefer the Specialized Nimbus EX's. Quite possibly the last tire you'll ever need.

My vote - Hutchinson Top Slick - I converted a Cannondale MTB into a fast, great street ride with them. They are on super sale at Performance as I write this for $9.98 per. I should buy another pair :)

Here is the link:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19037