Best MTB slicks

MichaelW

Need to replace my Schwalbe Big Apple 1.9 and my commute may be changing from 30min urban to 50min urban/rural mix with very dark, wet lanes.
Is there a slick that is faster but very tough and grippy. I dont want speed at the expense of grip or P*ture resistance, it has to be a practical commuter tyre.
Any recommendations?

cyberknight

I have just bought some conti travel contacts and i am happy enough with them...

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=18822

gosport_commuter

I second the conti travel contacts.

Before getting my CX bike I had a set of 26x1.75s fitted to my all year round rigid MTB, they covered something like 2000 miles and 2.5 years - I only ever got ONE puncture, which was actually a pinch puncture from not quite fitting it right in the first few days. After that they were rock solid, came with tubes, and a years warranty against punctures - FANTASTIC product!

the ONLY down side is they are a little heavy - small price tbh, they still rolled very fast on the road, with a modicom of grip on the edges for any loose stuff.

rolf_f

I use Schwalbe City Jets on my MTB for road. You can get them for less than a tenner if you look around. I've covered about 3000 miles on one set and there's probably a couple more left in them. As with the Conti ref above, the City Jets aren't the lightest but the puncture resistance is excellent.

Oddly enough, they appear to be a little lighter than the Contis (though tricky to compare like for like) and easily available for half the price or less.

bails87

I've also got City Jets on my 'hack' bike. It doesn't do anything like the mileage of my two proper bikes, but they've never been a [problem. Fast rolling, grippy, no punctures, practically no wear.

Mr Plum

Another +1 for the City Jets, and they're half the price of the Contis...

beverick

I use Specialized Crossroads tyres in "Armadillo" form for the winter commutes (I actually swapped them for the knobblies this weekend).

http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/produc ... rtno=32238

They have a nice flat centre tread which gives good rolling performance but they also have sufficient grip to deal with wet harpack.

(The red side wall does look a bit naff though!)

Bob

The Rookie

The daughter has Schwalbe CJ's and they are good at the price, but not as fast rolling or puncture resistant as the WTB Slickasaurus (26x1.5") I run (one 'P' in 2000miles, super sharp shard of glass).

Simon

cyberknight

City jets are good, i have used them and they are excellent for the price but they do not have the resistance of the contis but are lighter , take your pick really .

Long_Time_Lurker

beverick wrote:

I use Specialized Crossroads tyres in "Armadillo" form for the winter commutes (I actually swapped them for the knobblies this weekend).

Do you have front mudguards?
If you haven't, you might want to reverse the front wheel. I have a set - good tyres (bit heavy), great on hardpack and firetrails.
Problem is that they spray water directly into your face when wet. In a line stright down the middle of your face.

rolf_f

Long Time Lurker wrote:

Do you have front mudguards?
If you haven't, you might want to reverse the front wheel. I have a set - good tyres (bit heavy), great on hardpack and firetrails.
Problem is that they spray water directly into your face when wet. In a line stright down the middle of your face.

More effective just to fit a Neoguard or equivalent I'd have thought.

Long_Time_Lurker

Rolf F wrote:

Long Time Lurker wrote:

Do you have front mudguards?
If you haven't, you might want to reverse the front wheel.
Problem is that they spray water directly into your face when wet. In a line stright down the middle of your face.

More effective just to fit a Neoguard or equivalent I'd have thought.

I don't have one - and I was 15 miles from home. It only took 5 minutes to swap the tyre around while I was in an underpass. Job done - the water now sprays forward.

rolf_f

Ahhh, don't you ride into the spray then - that's what the Neoguard does - it catches the water sprayed forward that you then ride into if it hasn't been caught. Upward spray is caught by a Crudcatcher.

Putting tyres on the wrong way round seems potentially a duff move though who knows whether it really matters. Could do though......

simon_e

I'd also vote for City Jets. Been running on them for several years now, excellent value.

I think tyre weight is overstated for commuting. I tried some lightweight 26x1" Specialized All Condition slick tyres but they didn't roll or climb any better than the City Jets. When I swapped back I appreciated the extra comfort and larger contact area.

Otherwise how about Schwalbe Marathon Racer? Lighter and with shallower grooves than standard Marathon. Spa Cycles have these plus the standard HS368 Marathon and the latest 'Greenguard' HS420.

neiltb

i was running a 1.25 spesh fat boy on front and some michelin 1.5 on back. for the winter I changed to a pair of kenda kwest (1.5's) and find they roll better than the spesh slicks. Yhey seem pretty light and have lots of rubber on them.

jonnyboy77

I'm really happy with the Conti Top Contact Winters (26x1.9) not truly a slick, and not cheap at £35/tyre but never the less they roll quickly and grip very well.

I swapped out a set of Schwalbe Big Apples when I fitted these, and I'd say they are as comfortable to ride with, grippier and slightly quicker.

I might try City Jets in the new year when the cold weather subsides.

- Jon