bengreen79

I have been commuting now for about 7 weeks on a MTB with knobbies. Seems like I am going to stick with this thing so I was going to splurge for some tires.

The Forté Fast City ST/K MTB tires were often recommended here but I had it in my favorites instead of my shopping cart

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5430

Link is dead.

What do you recommend instead? I am interested in the Kevlar protection because there is a stretch on my commute where I always see small pieces of glass and wires from radial tires. Similar cost would also be a plus (~$14 a piece).

joeyc

I have run these on my Gary Fisher Mtn - not on currently because I have been in the woods quite a bit, but when I was riding on the street, they were efficient and relatively quick. No flats with about 200 miles or so on them - with some trail riding.

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5430

JTGraphics

Forté City ST MTB Tire is good also, that thin layer of Kevlar protection and it was thin! to me is a little over rated, I have used both of the tires and flats on both so its just a matter of some luck also not running something over. I really think as far as protective layers go their are so many better options. Ritchey Tom Slick is not a bad tire for the price, if you are looking for a good 26" tire I'd suggest some Schwalbe Stelvio 26 Inch High Pressure Tires 26x1.1 Folding Bead (28-559, 115 Max. PSI, 250 grams) I use these on our Tandem and they are tuff, light, higher pressure and roll very well. They don't cut easily and hold up well, not as cheep as others but worth it to me.

bengreen79

Those Schwalbe's don't look like they'll work on a MTB wheel and I am too cheap for those anyway

The non-kevlar version of the ST is only rated to 60 psi. The kevlars were rated to 90 (though different size I think - 1.5 vs 1.25). My current knobbies are rated up to 65 and I was hoping to go higher. I might try them anyway since they are only $12 for the pair plus any coupons I can dig up here.

JTGraphics

You might consider a set of Ritchey Tom Slick MTB Tire 26 x 1.4 Max psi 100 or some Forté Slick City ST MTB Tires 26 x 1.25 Max psi 80

bengreen79

Some of the reviews make slicks sound a little hairy in the rain. I have a couple of downhills on my way home and if it rains while I'm at work, i'm worried about stopping traction in an emergency.

What kind of experiences have you guys had with slicks?

no motor?

I've used the Forte City something 1.5s for a while, and don't have much experience with them in the wet. They do make a much different sound when you lean into a corner, and the first time I did that I thought they were going to slide out from under me. They didn't but it scared the heck out of me when it happened.

ThreLittleBirds

ive done a fair bit of rain riding on the ST/K tires, and they do slip a little on the rain. however you dont really notice it unless you are looking for it, and you learn to take turns a little more careful pretty quick.

buddyp

they changed the SKU. here's the new link

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5425

beerfilter

Get the Forte City STs or equivalent and some tuffies (tire liners). I live in the land of goatheads and this combo has worked for me for over a thousand miles without a flat.

baxtefer

those are 700C's not 26's

BCRider

If you're slipping in the rain on slicks it's not the tires, it's what you're riding over. Steel manhole covers, white lines and oil spots left at intersections by cars and perhaps the crud that washes into the gutters are what you're slipping on. And treads won't help with that.

I'm lucky enough to ride 90% of my commute on back streets and MUP's. I'm pretty sure I have 80 to 85% of my dry traction in the wet conditions and slicks is all I ride with. Any time I've slipped with them it was one of the items mentioned above. And at that point any tire will slip.

We don't ride fast enough to aquaplane by a LONG stretch.

So open up the search to include slicks with flat resistance.

If you're wanting narrow and FAST then I can personally recomend the Panaracer Pasela TG's in 26 x 1.25 size. The roll along like a racing bike and the TG is the Tour Gaurd flat resistant belting. I rode those tires for around 4 years and can't remember ever having a flat with them. Lots of cuts in the carcase but no flat that I can remember.

bengreen79

The only goatheads in WI are attached to goats so I'm not too worried about that

Since last night, the non-kevlar ST's are $2 more apiece so I am going to keep the knobbies on just for spite.

When I get my tax return in spring, I am going to buy a real bike and save my current Schwinn (Pacific) MTB for family rides and grocery runs.