Looking for really slow MTB tires
11-24-20, 06:47 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Looking for really slow MTB tires
I'd like to put some really slow MTB tires on one of my bikes (29"x~2") and my daughter's bike (27.5"x~2") for winter to keep speeds down. They'll just be used for smooth gravel riding. Anyone got any known slow rollers? 
11-24-20, 06:53 PM
#2
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,063
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 616 Post(s)
Liked 280 Times
in
179 Posts
Just get some really knobby tires?
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
11-24-20, 07:14 PM
#3
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,295
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2965 Post(s)
Liked 2,348 Times
in
1,151 Posts
Drag a car tire behind the bike.
Likes For GlennR:
11-24-20, 07:16 PM
#4
Senior Member
Kenda Nevegal have very high rolling resistance are very slow and sluggish.
Likes For wolfchild:
11-24-20, 07:23 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Valley Forge: Birthplace of Freedom
Posts: 1,068
Bikes: Novara Safari, CAAD9, WABI Classic, WABI Thunder
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 294 Post(s)
Liked 295 Times
in
156 Posts
Schwalbe Marathon Winter tires. At least for the 29". https://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/schwalbe-winter-tire-hs-396
Also think the Nevegals would work. I have them on a 26" mountain bike. Great traction, though not fast.
Of course BicycleBicycleResistance.com will give you the slowest. https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com
Also think the Nevegals would work. I have them on a 26" mountain bike. Great traction, though not fast.
Of course BicycleBicycleResistance.com will give you the slowest. https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com
Last edited by stevel610; 11-24-20 at 07:37 PM.
11-24-20, 07:56 PM
#6
Senior Member
Try anything from Walmart
Likes For Wileyrat:
11-24-20, 09:24 PM
#8
Senior Member
I had some WTB Velociraptors on a 26er for a winter one season....slow as s#!t on pavement.
11-25-20, 05:22 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,571
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1044 Post(s)
Liked 242 Times
in
179 Posts
Pick up some pipe insulation like this https://www.amazon.com/M-D-Building-...on+tube&sr=8-3 and install instead of tubes.
Or maybe work on controlling your riding enthusiasm.
Or maybe work on controlling your riding enthusiasm.
11-25-20, 05:51 AM
#10
Dirty Heathen
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: MC-778, 6250 fsw
Posts: 1,588
Bikes: 1997 Cannondale, 1976 Bridgestone, 1998 Softride
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 597 Post(s)
Liked 381 Times
in
237 Posts
Like above, any aggressively treaded MTB tire will be slow on hard surfaces, particularly inexpensive ones, as they’re designed more for looks than performance. Lower your air pressure 25-30% for extra resistance.
I just don’t get the point of these “I want to make my bike harder to ride” posts.
I get that more resistance can technically ‘improve’ your workout, but turning your bike into a resistance trainer makes it a lot less effective at being a bicycle.
I just don’t get the point of these “I want to make my bike harder to ride” posts.
I get that more resistance can technically ‘improve’ your workout, but turning your bike into a resistance trainer makes it a lot less effective at being a bicycle.
11-25-20, 06:20 AM
#11
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Valley of the Sun.
Posts: 38,309
Bikes: everywhere
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8259 Post(s)
Liked 3,212 Times
in
1,745 Posts
If your bikes can handle 2.4", I'd look for DH tires if you want slow. Schwalbe Big Bettys for instance weigh about 2.5 pounds apiece, have big ol knobs.
11-25-20, 06:44 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 2,900
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1011 Post(s)
Liked 837 Times
in
483 Posts
Slow tires at low pressure won't make as much of a difference as you're hoping they will, at least on pavement. If you average, say, 15 mph now, you'll probably average 12 mph with the slower tires at the same effort level. I've found that the difference in wind chill is barely perceptible.
But there are probably plenty of off-road trails to be found near Frederick, so consider switching to riding those trails, since your average speed would be much lower there. Or ride circuits on a grass field; your average speed will be even lower.
But there are probably plenty of off-road trails to be found near Frederick, so consider switching to riding those trails, since your average speed would be much lower there. Or ride circuits on a grass field; your average speed will be even lower.
11-25-20, 06:58 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: In the south but from North
Posts: 362
Bikes: Turner 5-Spot Burner converted; IBIS Ripley, Specialized Crave, Tommasini Sintesi, Cinelli Superstar
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 179 Post(s)
Liked 165 Times
in
84 Posts
Actually, look for a Hans Dampf 29x 2.35 with the Trailstar compound. This is important. The Pacestar compound has great rolling resistance but the Trailstar compound is like glue.
Kenda improved their 29 Nevegal and is is miles better than the old 26" tires, which was like molasses.
Kenda improved their 29 Nevegal and is is miles better than the old 26" tires, which was like molasses.
11-25-20, 07:36 AM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Trakhak
Slow tires at low pressure won't make as much of a difference as you're hoping they will, at least on pavement. If you average, say, 15 mph now, you'll probably average 12 mph with the slower tires at the same effort level. I've found that the difference in wind chill is barely perceptible.
11-25-20, 11:22 AM
#16
Cheerfully low end
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,145
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 353 Post(s)
Liked 511 Times
in
345 Posts
Originally Posted by Marylander
Yeah, this is exactly what I was going for, less wind chill. If knocking 3mph off isn't perceptible then maybe this isn't worth doing. Hmm...
Otto
11-25-20, 11:48 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Central PA
Posts: 510
Bikes: Gary Fisher X-Caliber, Focus Arriba, Specialized Roubaix Expert
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 85 Post(s)
Liked 68 Times
in
45 Posts
Originally Posted by Happy Feet
Wear gloves and a balaclava? Some are made specific to cycling.
Or get some pogies for the hands
Or get some pogies for the hands
Likes For redcon1:
11-25-20, 01:33 PM
#18
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 13,558
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 110 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6747 Post(s)
Liked 3,832 Times
in
2,205 Posts
Originally Posted by Marylander
Yeah, this is exactly what I was going for, less wind chill. If knocking 3mph off isn't perceptible then maybe this isn't worth doing. Hmm...
...or ride your normal effort with the brakes applied.
11-25-20, 01:46 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,107
Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline mtn.bike
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 274 Post(s)
Liked 418 Times
in
267 Posts
I was gong to recommend several, but then I realized the reason my mtn.bike is slow wasn't due to the tires. Damn!
11-25-20, 02:37 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Left Coast, Canada
Posts: 5,102
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2221 Post(s)
Liked 1,286 Times
in
692 Posts
Originally Posted by redcon1
+1 on the hand pogies & balaclava-- Huge difference for winter comfort. Another pro-tip... wear a ski helmet instead of a bicycling helmet. Warmth engineered in, mine even has adjustable venting if too warm.
11-25-20, 02:53 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 3,634
Bikes: Trek 1100 road bike, Roadmaster gravel/commuter/beater mountain bike
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2088 Post(s)
Liked 1,367 Times
in
751 Posts
If you really want to ride slow, let all the air out of the tires.
11-25-20, 03:10 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Northampton, MA
Posts: 1,496
Bikes: 36" Unicycle
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 708 Post(s)
Liked 271 Times
in
198 Posts
Originally Posted by Ironfish653
but turning your bike into a resistance trainer makes it a lot less effective at being a bicycle.
11-25-20, 03:19 PM
#23
Senior Member
If wind and cold are the issue, look to what the skiers and snowboarders are wearing. Their clothes are designed to be wind resistant and allow a free range of motion.
I don't ride when it's cold (Tucson lifestyle), but when I lived in the NW, I used to ski....A lot, and I've skied at 10 below without a problem with the proper attire.
If speed is still an issue, wear a snowmobile suit. I doubt anyone can ride fast in one of those.
I don't ride when it's cold (Tucson lifestyle), but when I lived in the NW, I used to ski....A lot, and I've skied at 10 below without a problem with the proper attire.
If speed is still an issue, wear a snowmobile suit. I doubt anyone can ride fast in one of those.
11-25-20, 03:41 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: South Shore of Long Island
Posts: 1,868
Bikes: 2010 Carrera Volans, 2015 C-Dale Trail 2sl, 2017 Raleigh Rush Hour, 2017 Blue Proseccio, 1992 Giant Perigee, 80s Gitane Rallye Tandem
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 683 Post(s)
Liked 530 Times
in
404 Posts
Nokian Hakkapeliitta for the winter. I always found them a little slow, good traction in dirt, gravel and ice, not so much bare pavement.
With winter riding if you start to get cold just pedal faster, winter was always good for keeping my speed down a little and my cadence up.
With winter riding if you start to get cold just pedal faster, winter was always good for keeping my speed down a little and my cadence up.
11-25-20, 03:43 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,292
Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata drop bar conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(purchased new), '88 GT Tequesta(purchased new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 drop bar conv
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 469 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 396 Times
in
232 Posts
Someone once said, "..there is no bad weather, only poor clothing choices.."
I'd look to clothing before greatly reducing the performance of a bike. Riding with poor tires really takes the fun out of it. (that's the polite version..)
I'd look to clothing before greatly reducing the performance of a bike. Riding with poor tires really takes the fun out of it. (that's the polite version..)
