Tires
 

Hello,
I did not know where to put this thread I was going to put it in the electronics and gadgets but I could not find any tire questions.... well my question is and I know I will get about 10 different answers but I have no Idea what I am looking for in a tires. who makes the best road tire for a MTB 26x2.1.... Thanks

Electronics and gadgets******************************??

Is this the first time you've considered non-MTB tires for your MTB?
How skinny are you looking to go?

Currently using Performance Forte Metro K 26x1.25 on my recumbent bikes. Price is nice. Fits nicely on Velocity Aeroheat rims. Might or might not work on a wider rim.

The tires that came on the bike have not been replaced yet. I just started to commute on my bike and wanting to go to a slick tire. but from what I am seeing not a lot of options for my tire size.

I Just went to Kendra tire website thats the tires that came on my bike so I looked at their commute Tires but they don't make any for 26x2.1.

Kinda looks like I might have to stick with knobby's ......

Unless your rims are unusually wide, you should be able to mount tires narrower than what came on your bike. You are locked into 26" but not 2.1".
I would guess that any number of street/minimal tread 1.5" tires would fit your rims and make your bike zippier on the road.
Any bike shops you would trust to give you advice on what tires would fit your wheels?

If you post what bike/wheels you are riding perhaps someone could give some feedback about your options.

You should be able to find quite a few street tires in the 26" wheel size, especially if you search the web bikeshops. A co-worker of mine uses the same Performance Forte tires mentioned above on his commuter bike. Another example - I use Serfas 'Drifter' tires on my commuter. They come in 26" x 1.5" and 26" x 2.0" sizes, both with enhanced puncture resistance (a big plus for me). The can be bought though REI's website if none at your local bike shop. The tread looks a little odd (an 'inverted tread' design) but they've worked great over the past two years I've been using them.

Might also want to re-post your question in the Commuting forum. Lots of folks posting there who use MTBs on the roads for their daily commuters, so you'd probably get a ton of suggestions. Be sure to include the type of surface(s) you'll be riding on - just asphalted city streets, or maybe dirt roads, packed gravel, or ???

Thanks guys you answered my question I did not realize I could use 1.7 w in a 2.1 I thought I had to stay with wider tire

forte gotham tire is a good city tire semislick. I have been using mine on my mtb for over a year and the tread still looks new and I havent had a single flat on em. They are priced pretty good too, I think nashbar offers the same tire but under a different name so you may be able to get it cheaper. I believe the tire size I have are 26x1.75 and my original knobbies were 26x2.25 I think.

i switched my tioga xc tires for a set of kendas, smooth on the centers, lugged on the edges, and they are 1.95's....and the difference is night and day. i literally picked up 3 mph on the flats, expending what feels to be the same effort. much much easier to road my mtb with my new tires. next will be a set of 1.5s........

"Best" is subjective. What's best to me, may not be best for you. I wanted something that was inexpensive, low rolling resistance, and could handle high PSI.

I went with the Kenda Kwest 26x1.5". They're fairly inexpensive ($23 @ Amazon), and can be pumped up to 100psi (very good for me, since I'm 270lb). The difference was amazing, and actually encouraged me to commute more often. I rode them all last year, and did a couple back-to-back metric centuries on them. I've taken them on dirt & gravel trails with no problems. Absolutely no complaints.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ms_ohs_product

:thumb:

Similarly, the Sunlite City Slick don't have much to apologize for at ~$10 each. (Except for maybe needing a shave.) They roll nicely and provide a decent cushion from bumpy roads.

Of course, the tire that I like has become scarce. :(
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...k/IMG_2680.jpg

- Scott

I agree, the size of 26x1.5 is the optimal for all type of ride. I used Schwalbe Speed Cruiser during three years and can describe them as easy to roll, steady on high speed on wet asphalt, and stable to tube breakdown. Some skills allow to ride by dirts.
Now I use thinner Maxxis Detonator 26x1.25. They have better roll but they are not so stable to tube breakdown. I replace them to ride by dirts and low condition roads.

i buy my panaracer tires from harris cyclry where sheldon brown worked.