ze_zaskar

Hello,


(cross post on Commuting forum)

Currently, I have two sets of tires for my bike (Surly LHT):
a) Conti Race King 29x2.0: they are light for 29er tires, supple and comfy, I mount them when I'm out for an mtb route. However, they burn too quickly on the road, and have some drag
b) Conti Ultra Sport II 700x28: my commuter tires, fast as they should be on the road but I don't have use for them except commuting and dedicated road rides

The thing is, I commute on the week and go offroad on the weekend, so I have an headache switching tires.
It would be great to have a set of versatile tires that I can commute without much drag and wear, and then go play offroad on the weekend (and sometimes after work) with some confort and safety.

Then Ill leave the current tires for more demanding and dedicated road and mtb rides.

I'm thinking about something between 35 to 40mm.

Any ideas? Smart Sam? Travel Contact? Little Big Ben?

Thanks in advance for any help

bgav

Check out the Clement X'Plor USH 35mm. Smooth center ridge tread for low rolling resistance on the pavement or "urban assault" and small knobs for off-road "adventure" riding on the trail or in the dirt. I have them on my all-rounder. I also have the Clement X'Plor MSO 40mm for better float in looser off-road conditions, but they lack the same center tread as the USH. Both tires available in both 60 or 120TPI.

Sounds to me like the USH would be ideal for you unless the MTB trail is very loose or has lots of bigger rocks, then the MSO would have better float and protection of your rims, and they wouldn't be quite as smooth and quiet on the road.

Good reviews here and here.

USH:

ddeand 

I also have the Clement X'PLOR USH tires on my Cannondale CAADX which is my main commuting bike. They are excellent tires and seem to work equally well on the gravel as well as the pavement. I've also used them quite a bit on river bottom trails, but when I hit the single track trails, I use my mountain bike. They are a great all-around tire.

DirtRoadRunner

Continental SpeedRide tires are really nice too...and CHEAP. They com in 700x35 or 42, and retail for aroudn $30 with a folding bead. The 42's weigh 420 grams and roll fast on pavement, are great on gravel, and decent on dry singletrack (not good on the mud though).

Monstermash

One more for the Clement X'PLOR USH. It seems as this would be exactly what you're looking for. I purchased them for my new Litespeed to use mostly on paved roads but occasionally on some gravel and/or trails.

flargle

+1 USH or MSO (if they'll fit)

Barrettscv 

It could depend on the quality and conditions when riding off-pavement. Are your trails always firm and dry? Or are wet and soft condition typical?

If conditions are soft, consider the Soma Cazadero (700x42) or the Kendra Happy Medium (in the 700x40 size). Both will fit a LHT perfectly.

https://www.somafab.com/archives/prod...00c650b-x-42mm

https://www.kendatire.com/en/bicycle/...py-medium-pro/

If conditions are firm and dry, the Clement tires are excellent.

ze_zaskar

Thanks for all the help,

Regarding Clement tires, I'm sure they are great, but they tend to come rather expensive here (EU).
On the other hand, most Schwalbe and even Continental offerings can be had dirt cheap.

The tires I'm looking for right now are:
Conti Travel Contact
Conti Speed Ride
Schwalbe Smart Sam
Schwalbe Land Cruiser (which seems to have a sort of cult following in the UK)
Schwalbe Marathon Mondial

My Long Haul Trucker can fit big tires, like I said it currently runs on 29x2.0 Race Kings with room. But I'm not after tires that big

By the way, I'm not after ultimate performance on both road and dirt, I know that's impossible.
The trails here range from firm to a little sandy, but I'm used to ride on sub optimal tires for the terrain

Gus90

+1 on the Clement X'Plor USH, just put them on a second set of rims for my bike and they roll great on pavement and really good on hard pack trails and grass. Probably not going to be the best when the going gets muddy.

I've also used and really liked Clement's LAS 700x35 wheels, they did fine on pavement and hard pack, have a little more bite with cornering on the trails. However, no flat protection was a bit of a downside, I had several flats on the trails with these. They also wear a little quicker than the X'Plors will.



Another option you might consider is Kenda's Small Block 8 700x32 tires, they roll decent on pavement and have decent bite on trails too. Again, not going to be great in the mud.

bgav

That's a shame about the price. Before the Clements I had Schwalbe Marathons for a number of years. Very durable, puncture resistant, rolled well on the pavement and good offroad but where not anywhere close to being plush, and heavy as hell...

Barrettscv 

I have the 700x47 Smart Sam and the 700x40 Mondial. Both are durable tires with flat protection. The Smart Sam is better on pavement that most knobby tires, the center blocks roll well. The tire is good is soft sandy soil. The Mondial is better than the Smart Sam on pavement, and is better than a semi-slick should be on dry gravel and earth. However, both tires are very heavy. This can be felt after a longer ride.

If conditions are dry, this tire is very fast and smooth on pavement or gravel: https://www.wiggle.com/vittoria-voyag...-touring-tire/

The great characteristic of this tire is its lightweight and toughness. I have two sets of the Vittoria Hyper, one in a 700x32 and the other is 700x38. The 38mm tire is about 39mm wide on a Velocity Dyad rim, and weighs 440 grams.

ze_zaskar

The information I have says that Smart Sam are 450g and the Mondials 580g, both 700x35c

Barrettscv 

580 grams is heavy for a 700x35. The Smart Sam in a 700x35 would be a much lighter tire than the 700x47 I have. 450 grams is moderately light for a wire bead tire. Keep in mind that the Smart Sam tires are very slick on corners on pavement. If your commute is flat and straight, you might not notice, but on corners, the flexible shoulder blocks lose traction easily on pavement.

Of all the tires on your list, I would select the 700x42 Top Contact II. These tires are much smaller than labeled, closer to 35mm wide.

But the Vittoria Hyper is far superior.

zzzwillzzz

why not have two sets of wheels? no compromises for dirt or pavement and just a couple of minutes to change wheelsets

Barrettscv 

Another suggestion: CONTINENTAL CYCLOCROSS SPEED 700 x 42c REFLEX CX BIKE TYRE | eBay

Continental Cyclocross SPEED Ride 700c x 42 folding (file tread). This tire measures about 39mm wide, has flat protection, it's tread design will work well both on pavement and off. This folding tire is not excessively heavy at about 420 grams. The price is very attractive.

DirtRoadRunner

I can confirm that these tires are great. My previous pair lasted 3 years. I wanted to get some Clemet MSO's, but can't justify them at twice the price. The SpeedRides roll great on gravel and pavement, and decent on dry singletrack. Slick mud is their only shortcoming.

FYI - build quality isn't quite as good as the German-made Conti's, but it isn't bad either (the tire is made in India). I've only had a few flats on them, and the gravel around here is sharp, hard chert. They measure 40mm wide on my velocity A23's, fully inflated at 85 psi. I carry a frame pump, and run them at 55-60 psi on gravel, and them bump them up to 85 psi for long pavement stretches.

ze_zaskar

I'm nota going to invest in an extra pair of wheels, not right now.

The Speed Rides seem to be a very food option

Barrettscv 

Yes, the tire should have a useful blend of features, including safe on-pavement traction and good off-pavement utility when the trails are dry. It's large enough size and volume for rocky trails without being too heavy or stiff when on pavement.

palu

Sorry if I missed it, but how far is your commute?

For the type of terrain that you describe, any tire would work. I typically use Grand Bois Hetre's on my all-road bike. Been through plenty of MTB trails on them, and although it slips/slides more, I got through just fine. Then the smooth trail/road rides are that much more pleasurable. So it just depends on what you value more--off-road performance, or on-road feel.

If the former, then I'd probably get something like a Conti Tour Ride. Heavy, but has some tread and reportedly tough. Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour would also get my vote, as I have them on my cargo bike.

If the latter, something like a Panaracer Pasela would work just fine.

ze_zaskar

My commute is 12 miles each way, some hills, 80% road, 20% cobblestone

TGT1

I've been running the Conti Crossrides. 700-42mm Have about 1,500 miles on them now.. They have an effectively solid center ridge. (the knobs overlap) so I can't really tell any difference in rolling resistance over 24mm slicks. They are supple and relatively comfortable on bad pavement. The knob pattern is aggressive enough for steep fire roads. Not too pricey either.

The tread seems to be lasting pretty well too. I think they may be kind of rare in any size other than 42mm though.

ze_zaskar

Thanks for all the help guys, I'll go with the Conti Speed Rides, together with Schwalbe 18 Extralight tubes.

I think I'l also add a set of SKS P50 fenders to the mix...

GravelMN

Smart Sams are the jack of all trades, master of none. Very good all around tire that I use for gravel grinders where I'll be encountering a wide variety of surfaces. They come up lacking in mud or loose sand and are only a mediocrity on pavement but they excel on packed gravel and dirt and perform decently on turf.

Gus90

I know you think the Clement's are expensive but keep in mind both the LAS and the X'Plors are very lightweight (about 320g or so) and the X'Plors in particular with flat protection and that center tread should have a long life. They both ride very plush. IMO they are worth the extra money.

Another tire I've had great experience with (It's been on my 2010 hybrid for 5 years and over 1000 miles and hardly shows any wear) are the Serfas HTK Vida. It's a little heavier, has flat protection and long tread life. I've taken them on hard pack trails where it's gotten a little loose and muddy and the've done just fine. Rolls great on pavement and handles well.

fietsbob

So is the Application Commuting or Gravel Grinder racing? given the cross posting..
cant you change tires for the different events? its not that Difficult...


The TravelContact is a 622-37, its purposed for Unpaved road adventure touring after you have gone past the end of the paved route.

I've owned the 559-47 version ..