Hi, I don't know if this is the right forum to post this or not, but since I want to get back to using my bike mainly for commuting, I thought I'd give it a shot. I ride a mountain bike (early 90's mongoose - before they were a walmart brand) that I got off Craigslist from someone who'd moved the shifters to the stem, thrown drop in bars and fenders on it, and put what he called road slick tires on the wheels (normal mountain bike wheels). I really like the setup, but the tires have been showing some wear and I thought before I got back into the commuting full time I should get some fresh tires. Several people giving me commuting advice (new to Boston) have said I need tough tires (even if the roads were perfect my setup is pretty heavy), but I like the feel of the smooth tires (and the ability to pump them up a lot harder than most knobby tires - I think I got to 80 or 85 psi on my current set) and don't want to go back to the knobby mountain bike tires that are a lot squishier if I can avoid it.

So my question is this, does anyone have any advice on smooth tires that are very durable for a 26x1.25" mountain bike wheel? My budget isn't huge, so if you have experience with a value-priced set that would work for me, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

My GF has some specilized fat boys. They may not be that cheap at about $25 ea. But they take 100psi. I don't recall if they are 1.25 or 1.5. They seem to be holding up well and she hasn't flatted.

They have steel beads and are a bit of a ***** to mount on the MTB rim.

Nashbar has Vittoria Randonneur Pro's in 26x1.5 on sale for $24.99 right now. That's marked down from $50/each, and they are nearly bombproof.

I've got a pair of Panaracer High Road Vee's which Nashbar has consistently for $12.99. They roll well and fast but don't offer the kevlar/aramid belting that the higher priced tires do.

Anybody have any experience with the Nashbar Slicks? https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_10000_200518

I was looking at the Vittorria's but not sure I could convince the wife I need to drop $50 on tires for a bike I spent $100 on. Could work on it though.

Spend the extra money now. Cheaper tires wear out faster.

I put some Forte Metro K 26x1.25 on my wife's comfort bike and she really liked them. They're about $15 each and you'll need smaller tubes as well. They held up great and really made pedaling easier on the road.

Well with the Vittoria's you'll be spending less time/money patching/replacing tubes. And as posted above they'll last a lot longer.

I can't comment on the Nashbar Slicks - but the few people who commented on them seem to like them.

I have a pair of these on my xtracycle - lower pressure but no other complaints from a recognized manufacturer. Cheaper too.
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...5_10000_200518

The Vittorias are still my suggestion though, I live with two roomies and all 3 of us have the same tires on one or multiples of our bikes, not to mention I'm friends with a couple who refuse to run anything else on their Lemond Poprads.

They worked fine for me.

They worked fine for me.

As I'm a clyde, something super sturdy like the vittoria might be the way to go. Now to convince my wife I need new tires and all the other gear I've been looking at...

Budget. Unless your commute is long (say over 15 miles), you don't need an awful lot of stuff. It's good to know how to change a tire so you can fix a flat, and a tire pressure gauge and tire levers are useful. But if you're riding 15 miles in a dense urban area, a transit pass makes for a very weight and money efficient flat kit. Around here, a 10 ride pass is $15... which is a lot cheaper than a spare tube, levers, pressure gauge, portable pump etc. And if I remember right, Boston has the "add money" sort of passes, so it's even easier.

You need a way to carry water, because you're not a camel. And even if your normal rides are less than 3 miles round trip, you should carry an emergency snack. Sooner or later, you'll be dumb and forget to eat for half the day, and then end up standing at a light feeling dizzy and wondering what the hell is wrong. Then you eat your snack.

If you know the existing tires have flatted recently, replacing them is sensible. If you're definitely in the long commute camp, replacing them is sensible. If the tires are showing the casing, or have visible cuts in the sidewall, replacing them is sensible. If none of those options describe you, I'd go with the transit pass flat kit and gradually assemble a "good" flat kit. It takes an awful lot for some tires to wear out, and it'll boost your confidence to learn just how much yours can take.

Good points, Torrilin. I do actually have an unlimitted public transportation pass on a discount through work (as I don't have a car, this is how I do all my travels), so that might take care of some of the worries. One of my tires is showing the wire-stuff on the sidewalls in a couple of places and the other is sort of beat up. The ride is only in the 5-6 mile range (maybe a bit less depending on the route I choose), so it's not that extreme, but water's always a good thing to have on hand.

Forte Gotham , on sale for $12.99 right now. 1.75 instead of 1.5, but they've been working for me for the last several years. I think they're supposed to run at 70psi, but I run them at 80. If you check the sidewall up close you'll notice they are a re-branded Panaracer Crosstown Urban Clincher, which is $30-$40 tire.

<Edit> I notice now you're looking for 1.25, not 1.5, or 1.75 like my recommendation. Anyway, the 1.75 is pretty bombproof, but maybe you want lighter and thinner. The Panaracer Crosstown comes in a 1.5, but you'll end up paying about twice as much as the re-branded Forte 1.75.