Top Commuting Tires for MTB

[Joe-Joe]

I am looking for "slicks" since 98% of my riding is of the on road or crushed limestone pathway. I am new to biking and now realize that maybe a road bike would have been a better choice but I am going to make due with what I have (Iron Horse Warrior 3.0).

I am a newb and was wondering if all I need is the new tire or if I need a new tube as well? Also is there a great place to buy these tires on the net? Finally, what it the typical psi to run my new tires at?

[Blu Falcon]

I'm running a pair of Continental Sport Contacts 26x1.6 with tubes rated from 1.5 to 1.9. All items purchased at my local REI. I've got the tires inflated to about 75 psi each. Great set of slicks. Zero problems.

[Joe-Joe]

Has anyone tried the Forte City ST MTB Tire? They are $7.99 each at Performance bike

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5425

Or how about these Forten ST Cross with Kevlar for only $12.99

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5425

[EvilScience]

I went cheap on slicks and never regretted it... Forte City ST 26x1.5" slicks on el cheapo sale at Performance Bike for $7.99 each.

I had a set on for 2 years gravel and pavement commuting in the Wash. DC area, until I bought a 'cross bike. Now these tires get used in the winter when the MTB is on the trainer. They seem to have a long lifespan in my hands... Plus I saved the big bucks for better knobbies.

[Blu Falcon]

Has anyone tried the Forte City ST MTB Tire? They are $7.99 each at Performance bike

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5425

Go for it. If they turn out to be sh!t you're not out a lot of money. Or they may just turn out to be your best bang for buck. Why not give them a try?

FWIW, I have a pair of Forte FastTrac semi-slicks on my other set of wheels for when I hit the trails. Those tires are doing what they're supposed to do and I haven't had any problems with them. I also keep my Kenda knobbies on hand for when I have time for some serious mountain biking. But I'm hardly qualified to give any advice.

[cazloco]

Specialized use to make an awesome slick with kevlar and you could take it up to 110. Kenda KWest is a good one(two) too and can also be taken over 100psi. The more the pressure, the less resistance. I'm waiting on delivery for a set of the conti sport contacts(85psi and 480g) and I'm glad to hear they're liked. IMO, knobs on a road specific mtbcommuter is annoying. ie BZzzzzzZZZZZzzzzzZZZZzzzzZZZZzzzz etc etc

Can't wait till my shoulder heals, I'm getting sick of just hanging out in the commuter forum. UGH. (no offense)

Caz

[FireBallKY]

Joe-Joe

Isn't this your 2nd or 3rd post about this topic?

Anyways, like I recommended in the other thread, Specialized Crossroads.

[citybiker]

I have used Serfas Drifters for over 3500 miles of commuting. they work great

[scaryguy137]

i use and recommend specialized nimbus 1.5 with the kevlar bead. i also run thorn resistent tubes with liners and have never flatted from anything except for one run in with a nail, and ive been commuting a 25 mile daily round trip for over a year now. the flat protection is a lil heavier, but its worth not ever getting a flat, especially when your commuting.
by the way, SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP!!!!

[ranier]

+1 for Kenda Kwests I run em at 100psi and they roll along smartly.

[salsamoto]

i use and recommend specialized nimbus 1.5 with the kevlar bead. i also run thorn resistent tubes with liners and have never flatted from anything except for one run in with a nail, and ive been commuting a 25 mile daily round trip for over a year now. the flat protection is a lil heavier, but its worth not ever getting a flat, especially when your commuting.
by the way, SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP!!!!

bontrager inverts 1.5" .

[shimano4]

Panaracer Tserv 1.75. The puncture resistant lvl is high. Ran over bolts,nuts ,screw, rocks and all no problem. Rolling resistance is very mininum. Wearout lvl is low too. Clocking 800km and tread still looks quite new.

[Sunn Xchox]

Hutchinson Pythons UST's don't forget the sealant! Very low rolling resistance, they can almost be mistaken as a slick.

[Squash]

fast rolling, durable, and enough tread to keep you upright should things get wet. I've had slicks dump me on my butt to many times on rain slick road surfaces to ever use them again as a commuter tire. I use the 2.0's as opposed to salsamoto's 1.5's due to the lousy road conditions around my neck of the woods. But they work very well.

Good Dirt

[sean salach]

+2 for bontrager inverts. i've done alot of commting(in years past), touring, and even light mtb'ing on them. they roll fast and have enough traction for dry trails.

[PeteGTI]

i have a trek 3700 that's currently wearing some 2.0 trail connections (i think?). I have some 26"x 1 3/8" tires laying around however. think there would be any issue with rim fitment? need new tubes at least?


(i know this is off topic as hell)

[sean salach]

careful with the 26 x 1 3/8" tires. make sure they have a 559 bsd. it should say on the sidewall. i think 26 x 1 3/8 was one of the wierd proprietary schwinn sizes from back int he day.

[PeteGTI]

careful with the 26 x 1 3/8" tires. make sure they have a 559 bsd. it should say on the sidewall. i think 26 x 1 3/8 was one of the wierd proprietary schwinn sizes from back int he day.

yes! theres actually 2 different types of 26" tires. one is slightly larger (the schwinn one), and these are the standard size.

the reason these are spares are because i had to special order the schwinn "26" when the regular ones didn't fit on a varsity my brother picked up.

[Joe-Joe]

Ok, last question. What are the pro's and cons of the width of the tires. Some road slicks like the Forte Fast City are 26x1.25 and some of you guys have talked about going with a 1.5 or a 1.75. Is the 1.25 too skinny? My current stock tires are the WTB Weirwolfs 26x2.1

[shimano4]

Ok, last question. What are the pro's and cons of the width of the tires. Some road slicks like the Forte Fast City are 26x1.25 and some of you guys have talked about going with a 1.5 or a 1.75. Is the 1.25 too skinny? My current stock tires are the WTB Weirwolfs 26x2.1

1.25?? U sure it will not stuck into drainage cover holes??? Unless yr ride is 100% on road. Seriously, I will not recommend for pracrical use.

[rodar y rodar]

Generally, wider = heavier, more rolling resistance, better weight bearing capacity, easier on your rims, cushier ride: narrower = lighter, easier to roll, rougher ride, bigger chance of pinch flats and dented rims.

[Joe-Joe]

What is a good width? The tires had great reviews. Would a 1.25 ride better on the road than a 1.75?

[Joe-Joe]

Not sure I mentioned this but I am a clyde. Should I consider a 25x1.5 or maybe even a 1.75?

[Ka_Jun]

I run a Specialized Nimbus 26 x 1.5 front, Panaracer Hi-Road on rear. Keep the pressure high.

[gnslr]

I have the Specialized Fatboy 1.25's running 100psi

[rodar y rodar]

Not sure I mentioned this but I am a clyde. Should I consider a 25x1.5 or maybe even a 1.75?

You`re just going to have to experiment. Nobody likes to throw money down the drain, but the price of a pair of tires isn`t like losing a major investment. I`m a lightweight and don`t know your routes or riding habbits but, taking a guess, I`d think well pressurized 1.5s would do the trick for a heavy, smooth rider on decent streets. Then again, the only penalty for running wider than necessarry tires is that you have to exert a little more energy. Maybe try some 1.75s and see how you like them? Or look at what other folks are riding for the same situation and start there?

[hydrogeek]

I have been running the 1.25" Forte slicks for two years with no flats. They are a great tire for the price. This Winter I have been running 1.25" Panaracer Urban Max tires and I have had four or five flats since December. I have no issues with the skinny tires but I am running them on Mavic 221's which are narrow.

[Joe-Joe]

Well guys I decided to go with the Forte Gotham Road and Mtb tires 26x1.75
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/....cfm?sku=24205

At only $11.99 I thought I would give the 26x1.75's a try.

Thank you all for your opinions, you have really helped me out!

[chucko58]

All else being equal, a fatter tire can be run at lower pressure, giving a softer ride, but at the expense of more road drag. Skinnies are great if you're light, but IME Clydes are best advised to look for at least 1.5" wide tires for a rigid bike.

I've run a variety of 26" slicks over the years and no one stands out as significantly better or worse - they all suffer sidewall failure after a couple of years of hard use. I prefer true slicks or semi-knobbies. Grooved tread tends to catch debris such as thorns and glass, allowing it to work its way into the tire, IME. The slicks either get a puncture or they don't, while the thick tread of the semi-knobbies means the smaller stuff doesn't reach the carcass. Nothing will save you if you run over a wood or sheet metal screw though.

I installed a Kenda Kwest 26x1.5 front and a Forte Gotham 26x1.75 rear on my old commute MTB just before retiring it. I thought the Gotham was heavy and slow, but cushy. At that price, I wasn't complaining too loudly.

[comptiger5000]

Kevlar is a saving grace, I once ran over a 3/4 inch long piece of sharp glass, heard the crunch as it ground against the pavement and went "Oh ****, I just ran that over". I stopped and checked the tire, no puncture.

[pursuiter]

I'm weigh 240lbs and I commute on Michelin City tire w/reflective strip. On my 26er I use the 26x1,85 and on my 29er I use the 700cx47mm. I tried the Conti cop tires, they didn't mount up true so I returned them and tried the City, never going back. Nice thing about Michelin is that you have lots of width choices. Universal Cycles has 'em at a great price.

[eckstar]

I have used Serfas Drifters for over 3500 miles of commuting. they work great

Second that , I have 26x1.5's on my bike with approx 1500kms on them and still going strong.

[Doggity]

Maybe I'm going again' the grain a bit here, but I'll gladly take a little increased rolling resistance for a plusher, more bombproof ride. With all the buckling pavement, busted glass, goatheads galore and chollo cactus spines we have here in the Land of Enchantment, I want something just this side of a half track. I feel best using a good old Specialized Armadillo Crossroads. 1.95 inches, plenty of tread, but not knobby in the middle. Best tire I've ever used for commuting.