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"Slick" tyres for an MTB

Old 09-22-06, 11:38 AM
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"Slick" tyres for an MTB

Currently, the only bike I have at my house is my MTB, currently the tyres are some worn 1.95 inch offroad tyres (unbranded for some reason) anyway, sinc most of the riding I do is commuting and riding around town, I want to fit some slicker tyres.

The problem is that I dont have a clue which ones to get. I have thought about Specialized Fatboys and Schwalbe Marathons but I don't know. Also does anyone have any thoughts on wether to go for totally slick tyres or hybrid style tyres with a light tread pattern?

Any help is much appreciated,
h
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Old 09-22-06, 11:52 AM
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went through this myself...answer is complicated, and it depends.

I ended up with Continental Town and Country's. There's wide (2.1), relatively soft, and have an "inverted knobby" tread. I like them.

others will tell you to go narrower, and to a higher-pressure, full slick.

I ended up with T&C because I wanted somehting that was still comfy and could deal with gravel etc. if, as happened yesterday, I got cut off on the trail and had to ride on the gravel shoulder for 40 feet.
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Old 09-22-06, 12:18 PM
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I've been using 26x1.5 inch Specialized Nimbus tires for a year now. I like them. They are street tires with some light tread. I don't think it matters much if its minimal tread or slicks. I'd probably go with slicks for a summer tire when I wear these ones out.

For this winter, I've bought some 26x1.9 Continental Town and Countries. The inverted tread is recommended for winter roads by the guys at icebike.com. The wider tire at low pressure should be a good thing on slick roads.
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Old 09-22-06, 12:21 PM
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From personal experience:

For speed - WTB Slickasauruses in 1.5"(see if you can get the ones with reflective sidewalls)
For glass/road debris - Specialized Nimbus Flak Jackets in 1.5"
For comfort on a budget - Michelin Transworld Citys in either 1.5 or 1.95"
For road and trail - Vittoria Randonneaur Cross in 1.75"

The Slickasaur and Nimbus are high pressure. The Transworld and Randonneaur both have rubber shielding and reflective sidewalls. I've used and liked all of them for different reasons. The Town & Countries on my Safari seem to roll pretty good,but I haven't ridden them long enough for a full review.
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Old 09-22-06, 12:41 PM
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I've got IRC Metro 1.5" slicks and I ride them all year round.
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Old 09-22-06, 12:55 PM
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I converted my wife's MTB from 2.0" Velociraptors to 1.5" Kenda Kwest since she doesn't ride offroad. They've held up well, have good wet-weather performance, rolls smooth and were fairly cheap (got them on sale for around $15 each). They'll also handle the odd gravel and hardpack without too much trouble. I got the 100 PSI version.
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Old 09-22-06, 01:15 PM
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Wow this is a popular topic lately.. I'm no veteran around here but.. is the search down again?

What to buy depends on your needs. I've got 350 miles on Ritchey Tom 26x1.4" semi-slicks for my hardtail MTB. I run them at 95 psi. They are fairly tough for my all-pavement commute.
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Old 09-22-06, 01:16 PM
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Old 09-22-06, 04:28 PM
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I got some Kenda Kwests as well. I've been happy with them after a few hundred kms. The price is good, and they're also very comfortable to ride- even pumped up to 60 or 70 psi.
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Old 09-25-06, 07:45 AM
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I've been a fan of the Schwalbe line of tires. Big Apples will give you a comfortable ride that can handle most any obstacle you are likely to encounter. Marathon Pluses are nearly puncture proof. Marathon Slicks are fairly fast and puncture resistant. And Marathons are a pretty good compromise of puncture protection, all condition traction, and reasonable rolling resistance.
The big disadvantage is that the other brands are likely to be less expensive.
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Old 09-25-06, 08:02 AM
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For road riding (and some grassy areas), I went with Bonterager Select Slick skinwalls in 26X1.25. They also come in 26X2.0 if your rim is too wide, or your ride too harsh to accomodate the thinner tire.

-Kurt
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Old 09-25-06, 08:29 AM
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26x1.4 ritchey tom slicks. They're great!
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Old 09-25-06, 09:36 AM
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Wal-Mart sells a good pair on 26x1.75" slicks for MTBs. I've had them on my everyday commuter for almost a year now with no problem. I think they cost somewhere around $10.

https://www.bikejournal.com/images/jo...iqDSCN0412.JPG
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Old 09-25-06, 10:08 AM
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I went with 26x1.95 Specialized Armadillos. They roll pretty good and don't hesitate to take them offroad. From everything I've read they are pretty bulletproof as well. I usually don't pay attention to what I'm running over. I have a 30 mile round trip commute and I'm pretty happy with them.
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Old 09-25-06, 11:57 AM
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I did a write up of my experience with slick tires here:
https://rykoala.org/ryko/articles/slicktires.html
Many have found it helpful.

Take care
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Old 09-25-06, 12:14 PM
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Continental Sports Contact 1.25" all the way. Highly recommended.
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Old 09-25-06, 12:27 PM
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I've like the Avocet Cross tires with their inverted treads. Great in dry and the wet. Tried some full-on slicks (I think they were Specialized Fat Boys?) but they were scary in the pouring rain. A little tread is good, especially when cornering. Have tried the Specialized Nimbus (heavy!) and they seem to wear pretty well.

My current favorite are the Ritchey Tom Slicks 1.5.
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Old 09-25-06, 01:04 PM
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This is what im planing to get for my 26" wheels, which have knobed tires on right now. but first i wana get a nexus 3 speed.
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Old 09-25-06, 01:28 PM
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thanks for all your help, its all been very helpful. to fully convert my ride, theres a lot of things i have to do but im genna get rid of my horrible riser bar and replace it with a flat and change stem too.... this is all if i cant convince someone to give me a road bike for christmas....
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Old 09-25-06, 01:38 PM
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Let me know if you need any help. I've turned my 80's rigid mtn bike in to quite a commuter. The thing is a real tank, and its no speed demon, but its better than it was and its *mostly* comfortable.
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Old 09-25-06, 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by diff_lock2
This is what im planing to get for my 26" wheels, which have knobed tires on right now. but first i wana get a nexus 3 speed.

I'd pay the extra quid for the Lux model with reflective sidewalls. They make a big diff.
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Old 09-25-06, 02:34 PM
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A tad off topic, but I'm a complete nub to MTB and just picked up a trek4300. I can only make it to trails on the weekend but would like to ride on the road during the week. This thread provides great opinions and where to purchase road tires. My question is, when I buy a new set of tires, do I have to get new tubes also or just use the tubes that I currently have?
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Old 09-25-06, 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by drdingo21
My question is, when I buy a new set of tires, do I have to get new tubes also or just use the tubes that I currently have?
It depends on the size difference. If you're going from say 2.1" knobbies to 1.25" slicks then you might want to get a new tube. Most tubes have a range.
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Old 09-25-06, 03:14 PM
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Great. Thanks. I'll just button down and get a tubes and tires then.

I was trying to keep it under the radar from the wife, but what must be done must be done
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Old 09-25-06, 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by drdingo21
Great. Thanks. I'll just button down and get a tubes and tires then.

I was trying to keep it under the radar from the wife, but what must be done must be done
You can often find tubes on sale at Performance or REI. Also check your LBS. They may be trying to get rid of some overstock. I can usually pick up some pretty high quality tubes for only around $2 each.
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