Mountain Bike commuting tyres?
AdamJ85
Posts: 14
Hi,
I have a hardtail mountain bike that I want to use to commute into work (along a mostly smooth cycle path) and think that i need to get new tyres as the current ones are huge knobbly things that look better suited to a monster truck..
I'm new to cycling though so really don't know what I'm doing and would appreciate any tyre suggestions..
My current tyres are 26 x 2.1. I'm looking for a quick tyre, but am not too confident a cyclist yet so would also want a decent amount of grip, so there's a bit of a trade-off there. Obviously the more durable the better too!
Thanks!
I have a hardtail mountain bike that I want to use to commute into work (along a mostly smooth cycle path) and think that i need to get new tyres as the current ones are huge knobbly things that look better suited to a monster truck..
I'm new to cycling though so really don't know what I'm doing and would appreciate any tyre suggestions..
My current tyres are 26 x 2.1. I'm looking for a quick tyre, but am not too confident a cyclist yet so would also want a decent amount of grip, so there's a bit of a trade-off there. Obviously the more durable the better too!
Thanks!
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I use Schwalbe Big Apples. Various sizes to choose from, a bit heavy, but "fast rolling" (I think the expression is).0
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I tend to put such tyres on my MTB as I find it a drain cycling to my favourite spots on knobbly ones.
Currently using Continental City Contact (26x1.75)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=35796
Cheap, and each tyre comes with a free inner tube.
They are fast rolling and quiet. I've used them a fair bit in the woods, on gravel paths and un-made roads, and in the wet - no problemo
They are mainly suited to road/cycle paths, but they are fun for the woods too0 -
I used Conti Town and Country, my old commute was 95% canal tow path though but they rolled well enough on road too.0
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Thanks for the quick replies!
To answer Whyamihere's question - the cycle path is almost all tarmac, though hard packed dirt in a few places.
One thing that i am confused about - do I have to stick with the exact size of my current tyres (26 x 2.1)? Or will similar sizes also fit?
If similar sizes also fit then what are the advantages/disadvantages? (eg. would a slightly thinner tyre be better? Would putting the 'wrong' size tyre on increase the chance of punctures/tyre failure, etc)?
Thanks again.0 -
I got a pair of these for very simliar commuting conditions
Maxxis High Roller DH Tyre - Dual Ply
26 x 2.35 - MaxxPro 60a
from Chain Reaction Cycles.
Again heavy, but for me reliability was the most important thing for my commute.0 -
Check out 26x1.5 Randonneur Vittoria tyres, used them for almost a year now on tarmac and hardpack cycle tracks.0
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whyamihere wrote:
Adam ive been running on the Halfords own make almost ident to the ones above also 1.5 way way better than my old 1.95 chunkies
I use them all year rain/sleet even snow never slipped or fell off .......................yet go for 1.5's as above pattern blooming great mate so much less leg work
Fisherman Joe0 -
FishermanJoe wrote:whyamihere wrote:
Adam ive been running on the Halfords own make almost ident to the ones above also 1.5 way way better than my old 1.95 chunkies
I use them all year rain/sleet even snow never slipped or fell off .......................yet go for 1.5's as above pattern blooming great mate so much less leg work
Fisherman Joe
Thanks, I imagine that thinner tyres are generally quite a bit quicker..?
Also, I asked about this earlier but not sure people will notice the extra question outise of my original post so will ask again:
Am I able to use tyre widths other than 2.1" even though my current tyres are 2.1? Presumably I have to choose something at least close to 2.1" for them to fit in the rim properly?
Thanks again for all the comments!0 -
It should be fine to go thinner yes - there's some limits on the max widths that you can take though.
For example my MTB rims recommend anything between 1.00 - 2.10 (I run 1.75)
Ideally check online for your rim and see if they specify the widths - I can't see why going thinner would cause any problems though.0 -
I used Conti Ultra Gator Skins over the winter. They were 26 x 1 1/8 slick tyres and were very quick and reliable. Didn't puncture once.
Now using Kenda Tomac Small Bloc 8 DTC tyres as I wanted to increase rolling resistance (Wiggle sell them). They're 26 x 1.95 and I've got them pumped up to 80 PSI. They are also very quick. I've used these both offroad and for a daily 25 mile on road commute through London.0 -
Jeepie wrote:I got a pair of these for very simliar commuting conditions
Maxxis High Roller DH Tyre - Dual Ply
26 x 2.35 - MaxxPro 60a
from Chain Reaction Cycles.
Again heavy, but for me reliability was the most important thing for my commute.
How are they commuting tyres?0 -
I used schwalbe city jets on my MTB0
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Panaracer crosstown.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Panar ... 360043624/
Sidewall reflector band, puncture resistant, and can be pumped up to 70 / 80 psi for road work.
I've cycled most of the south downs way on a set of these (though I let 'em down to 40psi for that).0 -
I have been using Continental Travel Contact for a couple of years now. My commute is a 50:50 mix of rods and dirt paths and they work fine for both. I've only had one puncture with them in two years and they come with a free inner tube.0
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Spesh Nibmus Armadillos. JE James were the cheapest online last time I bought one, at around £20 each.0
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I use a hardtail mtb over a mix of bridlepath (flinty and some mud) and road (some poorly surfaced). I am currently using Specialized Crossroads Armadillo 1.95 which I have found to be a good compromise. I previously used Conti Travel Contacts, also good and a bit lighter and quicker but not up to the bridlepath in winter.
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/produc ... rtno=32238
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Conti ... 300003705/0 -
Trev71 wrote:I have been using Continental Travel Contact for a couple of years now. My commute is a 50:50 mix of rods and dirt paths and they work fine for both. I've only had one puncture with them in two years and they come with a free inner tube.
+1 for these conti's
roll fast, and 1.75" means still good level of comfortEarn Cashback @ Wiggle, CRC, Evans, AW Cycles, Alpine Bikes, ProBikeKit, Cycles UK :
http://www.topcashback.co.uk/ref/stewartmead0 -
I put Scwalbe Citi Jet 1.5 on my MTB (virtually all MTB's will take any size, so putting 1.5 on instead of your 2.1's will be fine)
I used it for all sorts of off road with these, and it was no bother at all. It loses a bit of grip in heavy mud or wet, but generally had no problems with all sorts of hard core MTB trails.
On the road they come into their own, adding 2-3 mph over knobblies."Encyclopaedia is a fetish for very small bicycles"0 -
26x1.3 WTB Slickasaurus here, super fast rolling and nice and light......
At one point I was using a Kenda kwick semi slick MTB tryre, knobbly edges with a light diamond patterened centre that was pretty good as a compromise, now I have it for the MTB when its hard packed.
SimonCurrently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.0 -