urbanking

Hey Hey,
I am looking for a nice pair of tires to do some urban assualt, and freeriding type stuff on. U know the kind with less grip than the mountain bikes, but the same hight profile. I see them on bikes like the kona stinky. Is there a name for this type of tire? and'or do u knwo where i could get a pair for a decent price?

KleinMp99

Well, really any wide tire is good for urban and freeriding, i dont know what u are talking about a tire with less grip than a mountain bike....unless you mean a tire with less grip than a mountain bike tire. Anyway...why would u want less grip? I dont think there is a name for what u want. Maxxis made the BMX hookworm tire for rocky mountain bikes in a mountain bike size for urban riding....but i dont know if u can get them, their pretty much slicks.

urbanking

thanx allot i'll look into the hook worm. It sounds like what i'm looking 4.

Joe Gardner

I think Maxxis also makes a 26 x 2.5" DH tire for packed dirt, very few lugs, and not very big at that. would be a great urban tire if it fits your frame.

KleinMp99

This is the latest, a special prototype version of the new Switch. This bike is a purpose built urban version with front and rear 24" beefy SUN wheels and a custom double bash guard from Race Face to take the heavy hits and grinding of urban riding. It also has Maxxis custom made 24" urban tires, the "Hookworm", made specially for Rocky Mountain.

urbanking

Thanx! that exactly what i'm looking for. Now that u all c a pture do u have any other suggestions? A bike more tread wouldn't hurt but that is thhe style i like.

bikerider

I have heard that Maxxis is coming out with an 'urban' tire this year in either 24", 26" or both. That is just a rumour so take it for what it is worth.

There is also a small company in B.C. called .243 racing who are coming out with a similar tire sometime or other. In both cases, I'll believe it when I see it.

EDIT: URL is https://www.243racing.com/

As far as grip goes, tires with these 'slick' profiles would actually grip better on most surfaces due to the increased contact patch. Only on loose surfaces do knobs on tires contribute to increased grip. I'd glady give up the knobs for the increase in air volume but nobody seems to want to bring these tires to market.

Joe Gardner

I think urban riding is just getting big. Im sure more manufactures will get into it in the next few years. The prices have been to expensive for most people to purchase a bike just for this type of riding, lately bike costs have come down by the hundreds. I think that will continue to for a few more years.

trialsin

i ride trials and urban assult and I've found that you want some grip (knobs) . Especially for trials, you need knobs, pretty big knobs. Slick tires are good for BMX style riding and indoor riding But if you are riding trilas or anything that requires you to land on a dime, or land on say a railing, you don't want slick tires. IRC el-gato is a great trials tire....or if you want something bigger you could go for a Specialized Big Hit Pro. Alot of guys also ride Tioga Factory DH tire. all of these will give you an awsome urban ride.

KleinMp99

i strongly..........disagree........... with that. You dont need any frickin knobs to land on a dime.....what will knobs do??? A slick tire has more contact with the landing, whatever its made of....cement, asphalt... If your out in the woods in loose dirt and stuff, or if your riding on wet then dont get the slick. If your doing urban.....then get the slick....you dont need knobs.

urbanking

From the expeirence and knoledge i have, i agree with you too. The slicks are better for urban riding, and fyi, i don;t do trials, so i don;t need knobs to help be stick to railings or n e thing, actually that would be the last thing i woud want to do, lol. Thanx for the suggestions though, i know what type of tires i was looking for, i just needed some names and/or brands. I'll have to talk to my guy at the bike shop. Those maxxis in the picture above are exactly the ones i want. Similar at least.

trialsin

trialsin

You obvoiusly have not ever ridden trials or anything similar. i say this because if you have, you would know that trials involves jumping(primarily on the back wheel) onto all kind of stuff from rocks to wood, to metal to grass landing...whatever. If you do this kind of riding you need a versitile tir, not one that you can only ride on dry pavement. I've never seen anybody ride a completely slick tire for trials In fact Most professional trials riders have somewhat knobby tires. For urban commuting a slick might be ok but for trials you need something with more grip.

urbanking

Thanx, i think we all understand that, but i don;t ride trials. I just wanted a real urban tire like the one in the picture.

trialsin

Sorry urbanking...i was talking to Klein99.

KleinMp99

Well duh....thats why i kind of said if your going to be riding on anything but pavement or concrete you shouldent get a slick tire....

trialsin

what I'm trying to say is that trials and urban assult invloves more than just cement and ashphalt. if you are just commuting fine, but for hardcore urban riding, no way for slicks.

urbanking

no problem

fubar5

The Maxxis Larsen TT is a good freeriding tire for dry and hard conditions.

bikerider

I've been wondering about this for a while. I suspect there is a perception that knobby tires grip better because, well, just look at them!

This is the perception I am talking about. Why 'dry' pavement? Do you really think that a knobby tire will grip better than a 'slick' on 'wet' pavement?

Perhaps you are comparing a 2.3" knobby and a 1.5" slick? A surface would have to be quite loose before the knobby would actually give more grip, but then again I don't ride trials and I'm sure terrain varies.

SSonnentag

Hey! This is a question I have LOTS of experience with. Sand on a hard surface will not affect a knobbie tire AS MUCH as a slick. A slick will slide out on a sandy sidewalk much easier than a knobbie. Knobbies have a higher rolling resistance also, due to the "squish" of the knobs. Knobbies are better for wet conditions because the water has paths to escape from underneath the tire (between the knobs) as the tire rolls. Slick tires tend to plane on top of the water more readily, resulting in reduced traction.

Shawn

urbanking

DUH!!!!!!

Joe Gardner

Shawn, welcome to the forums, good information! Thanks for sharing.

urbanking, be nice

KleinMp99

Yea I was wondering why I always slide when I ride on sand and water....I was thinking it was my slick tires....thanks that clears up alot.

Freerider

I suggest Maxxis Or Kenda Tires.