Help convert my MTB

[dgieralt]

I have a Trek 4900 MTB with standard 26x2.1 tires I would like to put some slick tires on it for urban riding whats the thinest tire that will fit MTB rim? THANKS FOR THE INPUT EVRYONE!

[wunderkind]

My mtb used to have 2.0" tires. Now it is on 1.5" Kenda Kwest slicks. Works great. Highly recommend. It may go down to 1.25" too. But I want a bit of comfort.

[Little Darwin]

It depends on rim width... This page has a chart.

http://www.bicycletires.com/a_49/tire_width/article.htm

There is also a formula, but I don't recall what it is... You can probably derive it from the table here and/or Sheldon Brown's site. It is like tire width = rim inner width * 1.x Where 1.x is a ratio... a different ratio for minimum and maximum.

[exile]

I have Specialized FatBoys on my commuterized Mountain Bike. They are 1.25x26 slicks and up to 100psi. They are not the most comfortable tires i'm sure but definetely very fast.

[meanwhile]

As you've been told, it depends on the rim width.

Also, tyre speed isn't related as strongly to width as people think - or even in the way that most people think. Read the tech docs on Conti and Schwlabe's sites.

The best MTB slick at the moment is probably the 1.5 Rubino Pro. It's made of real racing tyre rubber and has much more wet weather grip than the Fatboy, which is about as fast. Conti Sport Contacts are worth considering if you can't get the Rubinos.

Other thing that you probably haven't been told: inner tube quality and talcing have an effect on rolling resistance also.

[Wanderer]

A general rule of thumb is 1.5 times the narrowest portion of the inside of the rim sidewall. If it measures 1", 1.5" tires will be fine. If it measures 22mm, 32 (or 1 1/4) would be about the smallest I would put on.

Get out your calipers, or ruler.