Commuting tyres for an MTB

hellsteeth54
hellsteeth54 Posts: 111
edited September 2010 in Commuting general
Hiya,

I'm sure this has been asked before so I apologise.

I've started commuting daily to work and back on my MTB, and have been told that getting some proper road tyres will speed the trip up massively. I've had a look online, but not really sure what to go for, especially what thickness to buy. My current off-road tyres are 2.1 inch thickness, would I be ok to run 1.5 road tyres?

Any advice on the best (cheap!) tyres and sizes would be much appreciated,

Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • rf6
    rf6 Posts: 323
    There's a large number of tyres, especially with the sales that are on a few web sites at the mo.

    i've used these before, and would recommend them if you're on a budget;

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=24629

    These have a bit of extra protection from the PF, but I havent used them

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=24556

    There are a lot of web sites, but chainreactioncycles and wiggle both have reviews, which I find handy when buying something for the first time.
  • Initialised
    Initialised Posts: 3,047
    I like my Continental Double Fighters. We're £15 each @ Halfords, Wiggle now has them for £13.
    I used to just ride my bike to work but now I find myself going out looking for bigger and bigger hills.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    I'm on WTB slickasaurus, picked up off fleabay for £5/pair, done over 500miles on them now.

    The narrower the tyre, the better, but modern MTB rims are quite wide, so you may not get really skinny tyres on. My 1.3's were fine on a 25mm Alex rim (spesh wheel)

    Simon
    Currently 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.
  • rclarke2
    rclarke2 Posts: 19
    I've just worn out a pair of Michelin XC Road tyres after 3500 miles of commuting over the past 2.5 years. Quiet, fast, grippy and pretty good punture resistance as well.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=20401

    Rob

    2007 Price Street Speed
    2011 Trek Madone 4.7
  • Stuey01
    Stuey01 Posts: 1,273
    I have these:
    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/tyres/product/nimbus-armadillo-26x15-10089

    To be honest I don't love them. They are fine most of the time and I don't get many punctures, but I live in fear of the day that I do as the last one resulted in two knackered tubes a snapped tyre lever and a hike to the train station to get the train home. You might say they are a bit toight (like a toiger), add in a DT Swiss rim (also notorious for being a tight fit) and you have problems.

    I would change them for something that is easier to get on and off, even if it meant a few more punctures, any recommendations? (thinking Schwalbe Kojak)
    Not climber, not sprinter, not rouleur
  • rf6
    rf6 Posts: 323
    Initialised wrote:
    I like my Continental Double Fighters. We're £15 each @ Halfords, Wiggle now has them for £13.

    Got a pair of these as well, very good tyres for the money, especially if any of your commute includes any canal paths or bridleways. I would consider matching them with slime tubes tho, as I found they pick up punctures fairly easily.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    I've found Spesh Armadillos to be excellent.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • theotherjake
    theotherjake Posts: 237
    I use Continental Sport Contact 1.6 on my Boardman, they are easier to get on and off than my Conti Race kings. No tyre levers needed.

    Except now the weather is changing I am using the Race kings full time.
  • nwallace
    nwallace Posts: 1,465
    Have got Schwalbe CityJets 1.5" on Mavic X139 (rear) and XM719 (Front)
    Been fine so far, fair bit if tread on them and I really don't know how far the previous owner of that bike went on them, but I believe it was a fair old distance.
    Do Nellyphants count?

    Commuter: FCN 9
    Cheapo Roadie: FCN 5
    Off Road: FCN 11

    +1 when I don't get round to shaving for x days
  • Initialised
    Initialised Posts: 3,047
    rf6 wrote:
    Initialised wrote:
    I like my Continental Double Fighters. We're £15 each @ Halfords, Wiggle now has them for £13.

    Got a pair of these as well, very good tyres for the money, especially if any of your commute includes any canal paths or bridleways. I would consider matching them with slime tubes tho, as I found they pick up punctures fairly easily.
    I did back them up with slime, a 2" nail hit, it went down anyway but slowly.
    I used to just ride my bike to work but now I find myself going out looking for bigger and bigger hills.
  • auBrn
    auBrn Posts: 651
    1.5's are about right I think - I used to puncture more often when using 1.0's (although they are a tad speedier!) :) .
    “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” ~ Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
  • kieranb
    kieranb Posts: 1,674
    schwalbe marathon plus for puncture free comuting, I have been using them for years and have stopped carrying any puncture repeair kit/spare tubes etc on my commute.
  • shm_uk
    shm_uk Posts: 683
    I use Continental Travel Contact's (folding version)

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=18822


    You can get narrower tyres, but these 1.75"-ers are pretty light, have never punctured, and don't make your MTB look like a childs pram like 1" tyres do :)
  • bluehelmet
    bluehelmet Posts: 156
    I've got a pair of these in 1.25"

    http://www.parker-international.co.uk/9 ... Tyre-.html

    No puntures (yet) despite riding over glass, you may want to get smaller inner tubes for these though.

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