Hi, this is my first post, besides my intro. I just started commuting to work last week, on an old MTB. My wife asked if there is anything I could/should get to improve things make it easier, safer whatever. I think my first investment needs to be tires, as the bike has the typical dirt nobbies.
From some articles I read, I'm basically looking for some commuter slicks that fit the larger MTB size. My current tires are 26x1.95. I live in AZ, so wet roads is not really a concern. And my route is 100% paved, half on asphalt streets, and half on nice concrete canal paths. So with that, and what I've read, I'm thinking something with mimimal tread. Does that sound right?

I don't want to break the bank, maybe something <$30 each, and preferrably with some puncture resistance. So far I've picked out these https://www.panaracer.com/urban.php the Ribmo PT model. The site claims they come in 1.75 so I think that will be OK to put on my wheels, not sure. Will that work?
Any other suggestions for tires out there for my kind of conditions and bike? I'm fine ordering online and installing them myself.

Thanks for any help, and I'll keep reading all the great threads here.

Try Serfas Drifters - they're a lot like Conti Town & Countrys...back when Conti Town and Countrys had consistent quality. Inverted tread, good puncture resistance, and in your price range. Try the 26 x 1.5 with the reflective sidewalls.

I got these:

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._400013_400237

Only had one puncture in over 2k miles and I ride through some nasty business. I swear there must be an accident at the same intersection everyday because there is piles of glass there and I just ride through without a thought. I have ridden through, what must have been, an entire cars worth of glass swept to the side of the road. Not even a scratch. Wear seems to be good too.

I like these:

I use the Kenda Kwest 26x1.5" tires. 100psi, puncture resistance, smooth rolling, easy mounting, & only about $20.

Lots of choices out there. I'd go with a semi-slick, 1.5. Whatever you get you'll really notice the difference.

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=24542

Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tyre - Smart Guard


I ride those for my commute , have been great i pulled two thumb tacks out of them i never even knew i hit

edit: mine has the reflective side wall, but i couldn't find that model . worth getting if you see them for the same price

I've got 26x1.25 Panaracer T-Servs on my 26" bike. That sounds really skinny by MTB standards, but at ~32 it's wider than most 700c tires and is plenty comfy for commuting on pavement and concrete. Obviously you should measure your wheels to see what will fit, but a lot of MTB wheels are narrow enough to make this work. I'm using Mavic XM317 rims, which are a fairly normal MTB rim but easily narrow enough for these 'skinny' tires.

I hear goat heads are pretty common in AZ, but I guess it's a big enough state that there might be some places that aren't infested. If I had goat heads on my route I wouldn't consider any tire other than Schwalbe Marthon Plus. Since I don't, I prefer a lighter tire.

I had the 700x28 version of the RiBMos a couple of years ago. I didn't love them. I think the T-Servs roll better. The RiBMo is probably a bit tougher though.

Performance Metro K 26x1.25" work well for me and are inexpensive.

I use the Panaracer ribmos (1.50) and have been very pleased, they roll a bit nicer than paselas and I like their flat resistance.

+1 Have them on my commuter (700 x 35) and on my wife's grocery getter (26 x 1.25).

I like Panaracer T-Serv over the Pasela for more flat protection and not too much more weight. But still had issues with sidewall punctures, so went with RiBMo and like them -- tougher than T-Servs and lighter than Schwalbe Marathons. Nothing at all wrong with the Marathons, either, surprisingly supple considering the flat protection they have. I've tried all these in the 1.5" sizes.

But currently, I'm totally more in love with my Schwalbe Big Apples at 2.35". If your bike can fit that wide a tire, they are a hoot; otherwise, they come in narrower flavors... and colors!

+1, I have been riding these for several years, I get lots of life out of them and very few flats. Don't forget to by tubes to match.

I have Kenda Kiniption's on my MTB commuter and I like them. They're good for asphalt and dry grassy areas but not so good in gravel (I lost control twice during some turns and crashed). They also perform well during wet conditions, even with leaves on the ground (just turn very slowly!).

Another vote for Panaracer t-servs. I have 26x1.75 down from 26x1.95. Works well, and it was a very noticeable difference from the old nobbies. I'd be cautious with any tires under $30 (per tire).

I've also heard really good things about these tires. Great commuting tire, but a little on the pricier side.

True, but i found if you pick them up from chain reaction when they have the over 70$ gets free shiping, (or 60) the shipping cost cancels out the extra cost of the tyres,

well at least for me getting them in Aus,

I bought these in 1.25" because they were inexpensive.
Absolutely no complaints.
The sidewall pressure is a bit higher than the "website" pressure.

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...et-runner-tire

There are lot's of good options, I've always been happy with Specialized Armadillo they seem to last 1000s of km without punctures.

These are what most people in Germany ride ... including fleet bikes.

When I wear out my knobbies, I'll switch to these

You get what you pay for with these guys.

Also, that's a really good price.

for 100% paved there is no reason to not go with a completely slick tire imo.. side knobbies just make you lose traction when cornering

I've got Kenda k838s on two bikes.. nice fat slicks that offer a smooth ride, though a bit heavy. Very durable and good flat protection.

Continental SportCONTACT 26 by 1.5 80psi.

Wow, lots of options out there indeed. I was first looking at Panaracer for the Pacela tires, but when I got to their site, I saw the new Rimbo ones and thought those were better for my purposes. I also like the Schwalbe tire options too, especially for what I have read on their pucture resistance.

As for the size, could I get away with 1.5 tires on my wheels? I'm not looking to buy new wheels, as buying new tires is enough of a purchase for me right now. Also, with smaller width tires, would I want to get new tubes to match the new tires? Does it all depend on the actual width of my wheel, and how much small of a tire I can get away with? This is all new to me, so sorry for all the questions.

Oh yea, what are goat heads? Never heard that term out here in AZ. Mostly the issue out here would be cactus or paloverde tree thorns. But my route doesn't seem to go by any cactus. I see the occasional broken glass, and a couple of pot holes in the bike lanes.

Yes, you can safely fit 1.5" tires to your rims.

Buying the correct size tube will make things a lot easier when installing or replacing a tube, but you could stuff your existing bigger tube into the smaller tire. Just watch out for pinching the tube between the tire and rim when installing.