In the next week, I am expecting to buy a late 90's Specialized Rockhopper from someone on Craigslist. The person selling it says that he hardly rode it when he got it, and that it's stock. Since it's a MTB, I'm expecting knobby tires, not suitable for mostly pavement use. I use 700*25 Conti Gatorskins on my current bike, and would like something similar to use on this new bike. They should be wider, I have had issues with skinny tires. I was just wondering what people use on their converted MTBs, when they commute. If someone has one of those 26" LHTs, I'd like to know what they use also. I think Schwalbe Fat Franks look nice, but I don't know. They look like they could fit my needs, does anyone use them?

On my LHT I use Panaracer RiBMo's (26*1.5" 80psi). So far great flat protection and not that bad of a ride quality. It originally came with WTB Slickasaurus tires. Rolled really well, but poor flat protection.

On my hardtail I have Specialized FatBoys (26*1.25 100psi). Very fast tire however flat protection was so-so at first, but has gotten better. Originally put Michelin transworld Citys on them, but didn't like their heavy feeling on the bike.

On my rigid I have Specialized Nimbus (26*1.5 80psi). It has ok flat protection and ok ride quality.

my brother has an extra set of rims for his old mongoose IBOC, he put on some 16x1.25 FORTE slick city STs and they roll pretty dang good; still have cushion and 'relatively' low rolling resistance, nothing like 700c but still...

Don't know about Fat Franks, but after going through some unconfortable 26x1.5 slicks in the past, including Vittoria Randonneurs, I put 26x2.35 Schwalbe Big Apples yesterday on my MTB and went for a 50Km ride, half of it on cobblestones and the rest on cracked pavement with some sandy paths thrown in.
They're a little heavy (800g* or so for the 2.35), but once up to speed they've got very low rolling resistance even at somewhat medium pressure, and are very confortable. Grip was not a problem, but the ground was dry. I don't think punctures will be a problem, but I'm using kevlar liners, just in case.
If the roads you're travelling aren't that bad maybe you could go with the lighter, higher pressure 26x2.0 Big Apple.

*corrected from 600g, after checking the Schwalbe website (if it can be trusted)

Right after I posted this, I noticed that Schwalbe says that Fat Franks are identical to Big Apples, except for the tread. They also come in black, so they'll looks less goofy. The RiBMo's that exile mentioned earlier look expecially promising (except for the logo on the sidewall...). The reviews on them are pretty excellent. I might consult my LBS later, to see what they recommend for slicks.

I use Continental Contact tires in 26x1.75 size on one of my bikes, and Continental TourRide tires in 26x1.75 on my son's bike. I really like the Contacts. They have a relatively low maximum pressure at 58lbs, but roll extremely well and give me a fast, comfortable ride. I've been using them for quite a while, and they cured the flat problems I was having before. The Contacts are on my commuter bike that I use for my 27 mile round-trip commute. The TourRide tires are on my son's bike, and also have good puncture protection and wear well. They have a more pronounced tread, and my son really likes using them when on gravel and dirt paths. They roll well on pavement, though I like how my Contacts roll a little better than the TourRide tires.

I have a pair of Panaracer High-Road V tires on my commuter / "urban" bike, 26" and 1.5" wide. The tires are OK - they wear quite slowly but handling isn't that great. I've also gotten one flat in the past 1000 miles or so, which is OK I guess - very small sample size.

My g/f has a pair of Nashbar "streetwise" tires. I like these ones a lot - they wear great and have predicable handling. They're also very cheap, $9 each last time I looked.

Current fast commuter has Panaracer T-Serv Messenger tires, 1.25". Love the feel and grip, only average protection, light.

Just built up a new commuter and went with the 1.5" Ribmos. Wanted more flat protection, lighter than Marathons.

I am in a similar situation with the OP, looking for slick (or semi-slick) tires for my 2005 Specialized Rockhopper. I was just curious what experiences you guys have had with Michelins, and Country Rock in particular.

Thanks for the tip. Nashbar has them on sale, so I ordered a pair. Too bad I couldn't think of anything to add to my order to justify the shipping cost.

Conti Sport Contacts are the lightest, fastest slick I have used. Pretty durable and great traction on pavement. REI usually stocks them. https://www.rei.com/product/711641

I have the Michelin Citys in 26 X 1.85. I've put over 150 miles on the thus far and I like them. They're a little slow off the line but once up to speed run fine. No problems with punctures either. Love the reflective stripe on them also.

I really like the Kendra Kwest in 26 X 1.95. I have tried the high pressure 1.50 but the smaller tire is rougher and seems to be more work to carry good speed for a longer distance, although they do accelerate great. I keep the Kwests at 65psi and the seem very smooth and handle well, I have over 3K miles on mine and only 5 flats so far, but I also have those anti puncture liner things in the tires. I also have the Kendra K838 26X1.95 on my spare bike, costs a lot less and ride good but feel heavier than the Kwests.

these are great if you can find them in 26"

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...ftor-city-tire

i have kenda 838s on my Specialized. i like them a lot.. get a "fat tire" look and added comfort if you run the pressure low. plus they roll way better than knobbies. i use them around town and so far so good.. not sure how durable they are since i haven't put tons of miles on them, but no flats so far

https://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Bicycle-.../dp/B002DX1DWG

I have used Schwalbe Marathons for three years (tough, over 6000 miles no flats) but a bit heavy and recently upgraded with Marathon Supremes. The Supremes are wider 2.0 vs 1.75 on the Marathons I was running, roll better and weight about half as much.

I have a set of schwalbe supremes and a set of schwalbe duremes. The supremes are a little faster but the duremes are very comfortable. I have been running my duremes since the snow cleared on my LHT and so far so good...no flats. The supremes are also a comfortable tire just not as plush as the duremes, I have around 5k on my supremes with few flats. In my opinion the duremes would make a great commuter tire due to the treads ability to take on road hazards a little better.

I've also got a mid-1990s Mongoose IBOC converted to a commuter. Rather than brands, I looked for a 26 x 1.5 street tire that was puncture resistant. The nearby REI had three brands, Continental, Michelien (SP?), and Serfas. I bought the Serfas' since they were $24/ea (vs $30 for the others). The tread looks a little weird (some call it a 'suction cup' pattern), but I've got about 500 miles on them had no problems, including no flats (I'm blessed with riding on some pretty clean streets). They also come in a 2.0 size if you ride on crappy pavement and/or want a more 'plush' ride.

another vote for Marathon Supremes

I have the same tires on my "urban" bike. No complaints so far.

Big Apples! I love the 26x2.35's I have on my Xtracycle.

Primo Comets and Comets with Kevlar are fairly light responsive and durable 26X1.5" tires. Minimal tread.
I have these Forte 26x1.25" tires on the bike I don't commute on. Kevlar-belted. Inexpensive. https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...8_20000_400237

I use:

Schwalbe Marathons on my touring bike: enough good has been said about these and I have experienced one flat over I don't knowhow many kilometers and it took a huge chunk of glass to cause what was a small puncture and a slow leak.

Schwalbe Silento II on my commuter: These are new to me... they roll out and ride very well at 65 psi and as they are a trekking tyre have a low side lug for non paved roads. Mine are 1.75 rear and 1.50 front and the handling on wet and dry roads has been stellar and they are about as quiet a tyre I have ever run. I give them a big plus in the ride department.

Schwalbe Hurricanes: 26 by 2.0 semi slick with more aggressive side lugs for more off road adventures but a very fast rolling road tyre at 75 psi and have never flatted in over more than 10,000 km and they still look nearly as good as new.

Have tried the Kenda Kwest but after running Schwalbes for so many years and miles these feel like I am riding in mud.

I have some Specialized Fatboys which are pure slicks that I need to test... friends have used them and tell me that few tyres roll as fast and they are high psi 26 inch slicks.

I use Primo Comets on my folder... performance is off the hook but any 20 inch tyre will wear faster and these are not a high mileage tyre in any version and the 26's will give you great performance at the cost of longevity and they are not very puncture resistant. Have flatted once with mine over 4000 km when I picked up a few strands of radial tyre wires so all in all I have to be pretty happy.

I also have the michelin citys in 26 x 1.85 and agree with everything you said. and theyre a pain in the ass to put on and take off, so I really hope I dont get any punctures!