Originally Posted by
ericg2000
Just called my local bike store and all they have is tires that are slick down the middle with knobs on the side. What's everyones opinion on these? I'd rather get just plain cheap road tires like the ones linked above but I'm still curious about the slick/knobby combo tire.
I'd let 'where you (mostly) ride' dictate that choice. If you tend to be off-pavement a fair bit (dirt, gravel, etc) then the semi-slicks make lots of sense. However, they are pointless if you mainly stick to paved surfaces -- if anything, they work against you for cornering/handling. Slick tires (and semi-slicks) at all quality levels and a fair number of widths are easily available for 26" wheels; if one bike shop doesn't have any, another should, and there's always 'online'. FWIW, I'd stay with something between 1.5 and 1.75". Good brands: Panaracer, Schwalbe, Specialized, Kenda, Continental, etc. etc.