Which Slicks?

getonyourbike

I need some slicks for my mountain bike to use on the commute and I really want something that is easy to take on and off, for when I went to go off road in the weekend. It also needs to be quite puncture resistant but not to the degree of the Schwalbe Marathon Pluses. Ideally, in something like 1.5".

What's best?

Thanks
Pete

AndyOgy

It's gotta be Schwalbe City Jets. I've had a drawing pin in the tyre and it didn't puncture. Easy to fit and they last for ages. Very cheap too.

anyuser

Schwalbe Marathon Supreme are my choice in 26x1.6. Easy to take on and off and good puncture resistance.

getonyourbike

The city jets are out of the question because they are hard to fit due to the wire bead. (had a search)

getonyourbike

I've just seen the Schwalbe Big Apple Liteskins, they look perfect. I'm not interested in being super fast just getting to school with out replacing a tube everytime on the way. Has anyone tried them?

kurako

I've got Continental Travelcontact on mine. They're really easy on and off. It's a nice soft compound so doesn't feel skittish round corners and puncture protection is pretty good. Normally when I need to replace them (which is rare proably once per year if that) its due to wear and tear on the side walls rather than the rolling surfacee.

gadgets

specialized armadillos

Harry182

I get along very well with Maxxis Xeniths 1.5 kelvar bead.

They are comfortable and smooth rolling. They don't seem overly prone to punctures and while I'm sure they are not as durable as Marathons or Armadillos, they are lighter and I would reckon faster and more responsive.

rf6

Just put Big Apples on my commuter. Very happy with them. Good levels of grip (only ridden in the dry so far). Not really tested the p resistance. Reflective band is a plus too. From the little experience I have, I would recommend them.

Have previously used the city jets for 2 years. I had no issues getting them on or off the rims, and found them to be a pretty good tyre all in all, tho I think the big apples will be better.

deffler

continental sport contacts for me, 0 visits from PF

ride_whenever

specialised fatboys...

Although i'd say run big fat slicks because they're much nicer to ride and not a lot slower. Try kenda k-rad/fs100 or the intense microknobblie.

getonyourbike

rf6 wrote:

Just put Big Apples on my commuter. Very happy with them. Good levels of grip (only ridden in the dry so far). Not really tested the p resistance. Reflective band is a plus too. From the little experience I have, I would recommend them.

Have previously used the city jets for 2 years. I had no issues getting them on or off the rims, and found them to be a pretty good tyre all in all, tho I think the big apples will be better.

What size did you get by the way?

Matt_attituderace

I agree with Deffler, got sportcontacts on my Klein Attitude commuter, never had a puncture yet, probably done about 250 miles on them with no problems so far.
Matt

AndyOgy

getonyourbike wrote:

The city jets are out of the question because they are hard to fit due to the wire bead. (had a search)

Absolutely untrue. If you have trouble fitting tyres, a pair of tyre levers might help. But the only tyres that I've ever needed these for have been sport contacts.

The sport contacts are very quick but they also wear quite quickly.

The Rookie

I'm running WTB slickasaurus 26x1.5", 650miles, one P so far, (country lanes with hedges being cut and across a campus with lots of glass), free running and lighter than the P resistant Scwalbe's.

Simon

surreyxc

i reckon scwalge or armadillos work well. Don't be tempted to go to skinny, one it looks odd plus a mountain bike rim is a smaller diameter a skinny tyre of equal width feels much harsher on a mtb than a road bike. I used spec all condition 1inch, and they were super harsh.

waddlie

AndyOgy wrote:

getonyourbike wrote:

The city jets are out of the question because they are hard to fit due to the wire bead. (had a search)

Absolutely untrue. If you have trouble fitting tyres, a pair of tyre levers might help. But the only tyres that I've ever needed these for have been sport contacts.

The sport contacts are very quick but they also wear quite quickly.

I used to run Conti Gatorkins on my MTB for commuting. Had a hell of a time getting them on and off, to the extent that I had to take them into my LBS once as I'd nearly broken my thumbs! They showed me a good technique for shuffling the slack in the tyre round the rim with my hands so the last couple of inches could be squeezed over the edge of the rim. I can manage pretty much any tyre very easily now; tyre levers should only ever be used to taking tyres off, not putting them on.

mark1964

Had some schwalbe marathons fitted in april. My goodness - MTB bike capable of warp speed now . Bit tough to change in case of puncture but expect that's since they're new and a bit stiff. Operate at 100psi and have ridden over glass with them - no problems!