Tire question with a twist
 

The twist is that the tire is not going to be used for 100% commuting. I currently have a mountain bike with Kendas (26 x 2.10). I am looking for a thinner tire and not as knobby however I would also like to continue riding my bike on dirt trails (nothing major, as in no jumping off 3 foot ledges, etc.) So I'll probably do 75% pavement and 25% dirt riding. So what is a good tire and what width should I get?

I have read some good things about this tire but I would appreciate some feedback on other tires for my dilemma here.
Kenda K838 Slick Wire Bead Bicycle Tire, Blackwall, 26-Inch x 1.95-Inch

http://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Bicycle-...pr_product_top

I am also interested in this tire as well, however $50 seems like way to much for it.
Schwalbe Marathon Supreme HS 382 Touring Road Bike Tire (26x2.0, Triple Nano Triple Nano Folding, Reflex

http://www.amazon.com/Schwalbe-Marat...cmu_pg__header

Get one with an inverted pattern. There will still have some knobbies on the side of the tire, but flatish in the middle for the road.

I think some people call this semi-slick. Maybe inverted is the wrong term, but anyhoo: http://bicyclewarehouse.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=8598

This is what you should get. Well, not exactly this tire, but this style. I never tried this tire myself. Looks like a good tire so try it and see for yourself. I'm sure someone else will chime in with a recommendation.

OK thanks, would you happen to know of some brands that have that design? I am new to bike tires and I have no idea on how to search for something like that.

The first time I was out on any type of trails in years I had a tire on the front very similar to that Kenda and it was ok and did better than expected since the trails were more rough than I thought they would be. If I would have had one on the back it would have been better than the more narrow tire I had. If I was using the bike for your purpose a pair of those would work fine IMO.

A few days ago there was a thread with a few posting this tire from Nashbaras the best you can get especially for the price for what you are wanting. They said it rolled pretty good lasted pretty much forever and the priceis tough to beat.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_10000_202470

For me I just like having some extra width in general and then anything offroad I just want more. If you are just going off the beaten path I don't think you need anything very aggressive, but I am a very aggressive rider no matter where I ride.

For my summer commuter that I use both off and on road, i run a kenda small block 8 in the front and a kenda k-rad in the back. Both 2.1. Both have low profile knobs, 50 psi for road and 35 psi for dirt.

Those kinds of tires should be ok if you don't have any climbs or descents. If you do you'll probably find it pretty hard to keep traction while climbing, and slowing on descents would be an... exciting experience.

For basic gravel and hard-packed dirt + a lot of pavement, I'd recommend the Michelin Country Rock. They're cheap, not too heavy and roll pretty well on the surfaces described above.

I commute with this style of tire all summer / fall, mixed with some gravel trail and single-track riding. They are a great do-everything tire, EXCEPT for aggressive cornering on pavement. Once the tire rolls up onto those shoulder knobs, especially on wet pavement, they break loose suddenly and without warning. I learned this the hard way, in front of witnesses.

I agree with Andy_K on the Michelins, they roll much faster than knobbies (though they tend to pick up some gravel in the treads.)

If you're willing to go with a tire as slick as those Kenda 838's, you might want to take a look at the Kenda Kwest also. I've had a few sets of them, and they're great on the road an on hard packed trails also. I've done plenty of non-technical off-roading with the 26x1.5" 100psi variety on my Rockhopper:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_T...s800/rh_17.jpg

My answer depends heavily on what kind of dirt riding you're doing.

If it's fire road, then virtually anything will work. If it's singletrack, then my answer changes considerably. I've ridden offroad with things like the Schwalbe Big Apple and frequently ride the Vittoria Randonneur line in a hilly/rutty/sandy state park near my house.

Hey this is great as I have the same question, I want a narrower tire as I do about the same 75% pavement ( crappy potholed pavement) and 25% dirt, grass and sandy trail. I also need something that will handle the weight of everything I carry, up to 200lbs. I have an Xtracyle. So, Kendras? I shop biketiresdirect.com and will check them out. Thanks

thanks for asking this question. I've been meaning to ask, also. I have a surly cross check with specialized armadillo all condition skinnies 700x25 that I want to switch out for the stock cross tires Ritchey Speedmax 700x32 just because they can go off road better and I think they'd be able to do better on pot holed streets, also. They armadillo's, although, fast are just too damn hard and kind of ride how I imagine those rubber bouncing balls they sell for 25 cents outside the markets.

Anyways, these have that "inverted" tread pattern, they're pretty light at 330g each and they seem to work well on and off road. Just thought I'd throw it out there.

What tires are you guys getting? I'm thinking of getting the Kenda Kross Plus Front/Rear Slick XC Tire, 26 x 1.95"

One more thing to consider with this style of tire is that the shoulder knobs could possibly hook a fender strut, causing the fender to fold up and lock up the wheel. I've run fenders with mine, after convincing myself the fender was centered well enough and was sturdy enough to not get into the knobs, but it always made me nervous on rough terrain.

Slick tyres should be fine. I routinely ride on dirt trails (not 100% hardpack) with 23mm slicks. The trick is to ride light and pay attention.

My wife rides these and loves them for her favorite loop ride that is 1/2 pavement and 1/2 trails......

http://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Bicycle-.../dp/B0028NA8OU

Nashbar Elevator Tread Guard (mentioned a few posts back) are my favorite all-around tire. They ride really nice on pavement but have enough grip to ride on trails.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_172915_-1___

Panaracer T-Serv Pro-tex in 1.75" The Michelin Country Rock look like they'd be the better in the dirt but the T-Serve might roll better.

http://www.panaracer.com/urban.php

On my mountain bike made commuter I run Specialized Crossroad on the rear. Has lugs on the edge but smooth locked tread in the center and rated 85psi (maybe 75 too lazy to go out and look). On the front I run a Specialized Hemisphere. Good on pavement as long as you dont get laid way over onto the lugged sides. good on wet roads. Good combo on hard pack dirt and even soft dirt.

Brings the suck in the mud though LOL

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...0&d=1216686595