Changing to slicks on MTB - what width?

tuxpoo

Hi all

Anyone care to comment on the advantage of differing widths on MTB road slicks?

I have been looking at gettin some 1.75s as i would not have to keep differing tube spares.
Is there any mileage in getting differing widths front an back?

Looking at continental city contacts any other suggestions?

Thanks

Tux

FrankM

I've got Vredestain S-licks and they're great (v. fast) with a width of 1.3. They've been replaced by the Vredestein Moiree I think.

bianco

The bigger the tyre the more comfort is the main difference but as you go a lower width you get a lower resistance but its not directly proportional.

e.g a 1.0 tyre won't be twice as fast as a 2.0 tyre.

I use geax street runners 1.25 which take 100psi and I find them both comfy and fast.

bwoody

I went for specialized nimbus 1.5 as they still give a bit of comfort and were pretty cheap.
Pump to 80psi and seem to roll pretty fast.

hemmy

I recently replaced my specialized armadillo nimbus (1.5) with slicks, specialized fat boys (1.25). The difference in terms of speed was fantastic, one of the most noticeable and cheapest upgrades for your bike IMO. Done a couple of miles in light rain and they seemed fine on the wet too. Fat boys proved just as comfortable as the nimbus's, yet much much faster. Small tip though if you get fat boys and run them at 100psi check your rim tapes thick enough. I had two consecutive punctures, both created by the tube inflating through the rim tape, through the spoke rim hole and well puncturing.... strange but true.

Stuww

I put 1" continental Sport Contacts on my Giant Escape, it had 1.5" tyres on before. The bike seems faster and I've knocked a few minutes off my commute time. They seem OK in the wet, although the bike is slightly more twitchy \ responsive.

Stu

dazzawazza

I also put 1" tyres on my Giant Escape - Specialized All Condition Pros.
Bike is definitely faster, but I do spin out earlier during steep down hills due to the lower profile. This isn't really a problem because I rarely get to 35+ mph during my commute.
I had to change the chainring recently and was considering a 50T instead of the existing 48T to get more top end, but the extra cost wasn't worth it. I need to spend the money on new wheels before the brakes eat through the rims.

Ant Evans

28mm.

bianco

Ant Evans wrote:

28mm.

I love the certainty of your answer!

Fantastic

Ant Evans

Hey, I've tried everything.

Panaracer & Continental 559 x 28 both recommended.

bianco

Ant Evans wrote:

Hey, I've tried everything.

Panaracer & Continental 559 x 28 both recommended.

Have you got a link, I'm v. interested.
Thanks

Ant Evans

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 5360021704

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Pana ... 25-(32-559)-Panaracer-Pasela-rigid-bead-Road-Tyre-with-amber-skinwall-1006.htm

for example

alfablue

I use Specialized All Conditions Pro folders, 26x1 - fast, grippy, puncture proof.

bianco

liking the look of those alfa blue, a little expensive mind, but the reviews seem worth it!

alfablue

I love'em - they wear really well, take up to 125 psi and don't puncture so I think they are well worth the money, only thing is you will need 26x1 inner tubes (or 26x1-1.25), but you won't be replacing them very often!

tuxpoo

went for the specialized nimbus 1.5s in the end. V cheap .
Pop on the 717 rims without tools fine.
Really makes a differnece coming to work this morning.
I had a headwind and driving rain and still beat my fastest time.

Cheers all.

Tux

Jim Lyon

hemmy wrote:

I recently replaced my specialized armadillo nimbus (1.5) with slicks, specialized fat boys (1.25). The difference in terms of speed was fantastic, one of the most noticeable and cheapest upgrades for your bike IMO. Done a couple of miles in light rain and they seemed fine on the wet too. Fat boys proved just as comfortable as the nimbus's, yet much much faster.

JL - Great tyres for spring-autumn. I run them on 50/12 gearing & use Koolstop Eagle Claw brake pads Red grade in front (soft, but tends to "go off" when coated in dirt, so OK on roads) & Grey on back (still very good, but a little harder wearing). - A great set up for hooligans!

Small tip though if you get fat boys and run them at 100psi check your rim tapes thick enough. I had two consecutive punctures, both created by the tube inflating through the rim tape, through the spoke rim hole and well puncturing.... strange but true.

Big n Daft

Schwalbe City Jets here.

1.5" run at 80 psi.

No problems so far, my commute is 3/4 road 1/4 towpath type surface.

Good as gold.

mikeitup

Just ordered a pair of Schwalbe Road Cruisers 26x1.75 off ebay for £17.
With puncture protection too.