How skinny can my tyres be?

girv73

This here is my commutabike, a Commencal Normal Disc '08:

(picked it up for half price here )

I'm looking for a set of decent slicks for it and want to get the skinniest ones I can, but I don't know how to tell the narrowest size that will fit on the rims. The rims are named as "Alex Double Wall Disc" but I've no further information than that.

Is there a standard size range that MTB rims will support or something?

ride_whenever

I've run 1" tyres on mtb rims before, try specialised fatboys, very fast and grippy, you'll need new innertubes too

girv73

1" huh? Nice. Poking around on the Alex Rims site they seem to recommend 1.5" as the minimum for their MTB rims, though mine are unlabelled and I can't find an exact product match.

Fatboys are on my shortlist along with Ultra Gator Skins

ride_whenever

You have to remember that with very thin tyres you'll need to pump them up very hard to prevent pinch flats and damaging your rims.

girv73

Thanks. I intend to pick up a decent track pump at the same time

These are instead of a proper road bike, since apparently a new kitchen takes precedence over my third bike :?: :!: :?

ride_whenever

And that's why i don't have a house...

It's nowhere near as fast as a full blow roadie though. Why don't you pick up a bowery and have some fg/ss lovin?

alfablue

I recommend Specialized All Conditions Pro's 26x1, a bit more sophisticated than the Fat Boys. Done several k miles without punctures. Light, grippy.

ride_whenever

They do look much better, folding as well! I think I have the 700cc version on my pompino!

girv73

ride_whenever wrote:

And that's why i don't have a house.

Word.

ride_whenever wrote:

It's nowhere near as fast as a full blow roadie though. Why don't you pick up a bowery and have some fg/ss lovin?

I'd considered picking up a cheap roadie/ss and may still yet, but for now I'm hiding my pennies saving for an Allez. Probably this time next year, when the 2010 range comes out

[edit]

Cheers for the tyre recommendations too.

ride_whenever

I keep seeing langsters but I really like the tricross single... However I already have a pompino... Might get a nice retro bike and do that up perhaps.

girv73

LBS have all the '09 Specialized in the store - I agree, the Tricross is very nice in the metal and if I hadn't just bought a new commutabike a few months ago I'd be seriously considering it, all thoughts of kitchens long forgotten (at least until I got home and was reminded).

Mmm, maybe I'll take a walk down at lunchtime for another ogle

girv73

RE:Specialized All Conditions Pro - do they make an Armadillo version in 26" ?

alfablue

girv73 wrote:

RE:Specialized All Conditions Pro - do they make an Armadillo version in 26" ?

I think they have a "Flak Jacket" aramid (kevlar) puncture protection belt. This has been totally puncture proof on my commuter over thousands of miles, they take tremendous abuse without complaint.

ride_whenever

The flak jacket works fine, only had shards of flint puncture my fatboys.

hondafanatic

I've only ever used Bontrager Comfort Tyre for my commute wheels. Does anyone reckon i'd be better off with some of the ones mentioned above?

BigJimmyB

alfablue wrote:

I recommend Specialized All Conditions Pro's 26x1, a bit more sophisticated than the Fat Boys. Done several k miles without punctures. Light, grippy.

Yep +1 on that - great tyres and very durable.

girv73

...still dunno if those Specialized All Conditions 26x1.0 will fit on my rims though :?

el_presidente

girv73 wrote:

...still dunno if those Specialized All Conditions 26x1.0 will fit on my rims though :?

I have those and very happy with them. There on the missus's bike now, got a cheapo Shimano front wheel and a Velocity Deep-V rear (both 26") they fit fine. Do need 1" inner tubes and high pressures but they look good and roll fast.

redvee

I used to run a pair of Tioga City Slicks in 1" but when I wore one of them down made the change to SMPs and sold the other pair of BN City Slicks on Ebay.

alfablue

hondafanatic wrote:

I've only ever used Bontrager Comfort Tyre for my commute wheels. Does anyone reckon i'd be better off with some of the ones mentioned above?

If they are the Hardcase ones I think they have a good reputation for durability, you could possibly gain some improvement with the lower weight and rolling resistance of the All Conditions Pro's whilst probably losing nothing in terms of puncture protection, but I can't say how noticeable this will be in terms of ride quality. Also the Comforts are semi slick, so they appear to have some tread pattern on the shoulders and a larger volume which could help off road, but if you only cycle on tarmac this offers no benefit.

hondafanatic

alfablue wrote:

hondafanatic wrote:

I've only ever used Bontrager Comfort Tyre for my commute wheels. Does anyone reckon i'd be better off with some of the ones mentioned above?

If they are the Hardcase ones I think they have a good reputation for durability, you could possibly gain some improvement with the lower weight and rolling resistance of the All Conditions Pro's whilst probably losing nothing in terms of puncture protection, but I can't say how noticeable this will be in terms of ride quality. Also the Comforts are semi slick, so they appear to have some tread pattern on the shoulders and a larger volume which could help off road, but if you only cycle on tarmac this offers no benefit.

Thanks for that...appreciate the reply.

Infact, I got the answer to my question on the way home. I cycle back along a canal towpath...the following happended in 0.5 of a second, but the front wheel started sliding, I tensed up, then the small tread on the shoulders just gripped enough to stop the slide and allow me to straighten up. I know if I was on full slicks it would have been a foot down, follows by a bail..followed by fishing bike out of canal.

curlew

I've found the following guidance on tyre/rim compatibility quite useful- see http://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html#width.

Regards,
Anthony