richeydog

Been riding on 26x1.95 knobbies for some time and want to make a switch to something quieter/smoother for the road. Most of my time riding is on mups and paved roads so I figure its time for a change.

- I have an 91 Specialized Rockhopper Comp that weighs about 30lbs.
- My weight - 160lbs
- I like to ride between 10 to 30+ miles that includes hills.

- Looking at these two tires.
Nashbar Streetwise City Tire 26x1.5 (430g, 45-60 psi)
Nashbar Slick City 26x1.25 (346g, 45-85 psi)


Would there be any advantage to using the 1.25 tire since it weighs less? Like for climbing hills or conserving energy to ride further? Would it be faster?

johnny99

Go with the fatter softer tire if you ride a lot of gravel roads. I use 1.25 inch tires on my commuter bike and those are cushy enough for me on beat up city streets. A lighter weight, higher pressure tire should accelerate noticeably faster from stop lights and also up hills.

Dudelsack 

I used the 26X1.25 and had no complaints.

cplager

If you were heavier, then you might want to look at tires that are inflated to a higher pressure, but given your weight, either should work for you. If you ride on loose gravel, then I recommend the wider tire. Otherwise, either will be a marked improvement over knobby tires.

(Tire weight is all but completely irrelevant. Tire composition can make a big difference where the trade off is durability/flat resistance versus low rolling resistance.)

Retro Grouch 

Two things:

1. The biggest single advantage to narrower tires is less aero resistance. If everything else is equal, fatter tires will have equal rolling resistance with lower, more comfortable air pressures. If you're looking for aero, a converted mountain bike is a poor starting platform.

2. I think that really skinny tires look goofy on a mountain bike.

Whichever you choose, I think you are going to LOVE the change from knobbies for the that use you indicated.

Solare

I switched from mbt to Nashbar Streetwise City Tire 26x1.5 (430g, 45-60 psi) and my loop of 14 miles the time dropped 7 minutes.

fietsbob

no narrower than the rim you will mount it upon.

Shimagnolo

Not all that bad, (see photo).
These are the Performance/Nashbar 1.25's.
I absolutely *love* them, especially for cornering, where it feels like an entirely different bike.
This photo was taken on Mt Evans.
I was hitting 45mph on the descent.

ThermionicScott 

Those fenders help.

richeydog

Thanks. Not riding any gravel roads. Paved mups and streets only.

richeydog

I sure hope so. I've been talking about doing this for months, but have never done anything about it.

richeydog

My rims are Specialized BX25. I measured the inner width of the rim a long time ago and I think it was 17 or 19mm.

richeydog

Ordered the Nashbar Slicks 1.25. Will post before and after pics when they get here.

JanMM

I've been running on similar Performance Forte Metro-K 1.25" tires on one of my 'bents - with MTB rims (Velocity Aeroheat). Great tires, great value.

hybridbkrdr

And don't forget the Schwalbe Delta Cruiser in 26x1-3/8" in creme color.

dynaryder

Those will not work for him. They're ETRTO 590;modern 26" wheels(the OP's) are 559.

jj0996

i would personalty run a kenda slant 6 tire

richeydog

Got the tires yesterday in the mail. Skinnier than I imagined. Tried to install my old tubes (1.75-2.25) and of course they didn't fit. I kind of knew that going in but wanted to try anyway.

So today I went to the store and picked up some tubes at wallyworld(26x1-3/8). According to this thread, I thought they would work. They are definitely more narrow than the mtn bike tubes but I can't stuff them inside the tires without them bulging out.
They seem to tall for the tire. I'm either doing it wrong or they really aren't a good match. Tubes are tubes, right? Tomorrow I'll pay a visit to the bike shop and get 26x1-1.25 tubes.

Here are the before pics:

no1mad 

Stupid question, but I gotta ask.. are you inflating those tubes fully before placing in the tires and mounting to the rims? If so, that be the culprit. Don't ask me how I know about this.

richeydog

Thanks for asking but I am not inflating the tubes fully before placing in the tire.

I attach one bead to the rim, inflate the tube slightly(or not at all), then work it inside the tire.

I've even taken the tire off the rim and tried to place a completely flattened tube inside the tire and it still bunches up.

Maybe I'm missing something obvious???

Jeff Wills

26 x 1 3/8" is much larger diameter than 26 x 1.25". It's easier if you look at the ETRTO sizes: 37 x 590 vs. 32 x 559. The last number is the rim's bead diameter in millimeters- 590 vs. 559 means there's over an inch difference in diameter or 3 inches in circumference. You need to get the correct tubes for your tires.

Read this. It's a good cure for insomnia: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

BlazingPedals

Consider Primo Racers at 26x1.25 or Primo Comets at 26x1.5. Both are lightweight mid-priced racing tires with herringbone tread, about 300g. No good for riding in dirt or junk, but great for paved MUPs and clean roads. They're more expensive than the Nashbars, but then they're not Nashbar, if ya know what I mean. And you'll be hard-pressed to find anything faster without going to something much more expensive.

richeydog

Thanks. Went to the bike shop yesterday and bought some 26x1-1.5 tubes. Just the right size. No fighting to get them in the tire. Cost was $6.00 per tube which is a $1 more than what I was used to paying but that's ok. I can ride my bike again.

Here is what the bike looks like now. A little funny looking but it sure rides faster with better acceleration. Next time I think I'll go with 26x1.5 slick/semi slick tires. I think they'll look better(taller?) on the bike and be more versatile for city and dirt roads.

Retro Grouch 

I don't think that looks too goofy, it's CUSTOM. I like it.

The tires look to me to compliment the frame tube diameters. I might have a different opinion if your bike had big, fat aluminum frame tubes.

sonatageek

I have found wide and light tires to be a good match for the mountain bike/all round bike that I have used the past couple of years. I started with 26 x 1.75 Marathon and moved to the 26 x 2 Marathon Supreme. The Supreme is light, tough and can be run with a pretty wide pressure range for smooth and not so smooth trail conditions.