Looking for slick tyres

Jim Lyon
Jim Lyon Posts: 72
edited September 2012 in MTB buying advice
Hi,
I've been looking for a set of MTB road tyres, but haven't been able to find what I want, which is a SLICK (& I define slick in motorcycle or car road racing terms i.e. having a tread, but with NO pattern ) tyre in 26 x 1.75" with a nicely rounded profile. From past experience, I quite like Specialised "Fat Boy" or Matrix "Road Warrior", but need the 1.75" size as the roads in my area ( Sheffield ) are that bad, that a rigid framed bike takes too much of a hammering on a smaller tyre. And, having upgraded my Maguras, I feel I need the extra rubber of a full slick to be able to get the benefit of the better brakes. so, any suggestions, & ideally a link to where to get them, if they actually exist? - TIA

Cheers,
Jim

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    Schwalbe Kojack.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • paul.skibum
    paul.skibum Posts: 4,068
    Continental Contact II - great tyres.
    Closet jockey wheel pimp whore.
  • paul.skibum
    paul.skibum Posts: 4,068
    But I'd be tempted by these also for commuting http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/plusseries/Touring%20Plus/TouringPlus_en.html - puncture resistance and reflective side wall - a dream tyre for London or any other road ride.
    Closet jockey wheel pimp whore.
  • stalkedtoast
    stalkedtoast Posts: 48
    I used to ride the roads in Sheffield and I know what you mean Jim, I got some Schwalbe Marathon plus 1.75 with smart guard http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=24542 I think they are what your looking for
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    so who read the question?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • paul.skibum
    paul.skibum Posts: 4,068
    Fair point Nick but to be honest if the roads are that bad that he needs a fatter tyre then I'd have thought a non full slick would also be beneficial - not sure what brakes he is using but if they are discs and he locks up a lot I put that down to poor braking technique.

    Conti do these - http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/city/Speedbike/sportcontact_en.html - for the full slick and go up to 1.9
    Closet jockey wheel pimp whore.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    While Nick answered the question, and the choice is your's, I would point out that as its quite possible to lift the back wheel of a 23mm tyred road bike with the front brake, how much use is more grip from the front tyre, you won't stop any faster once you start lifting the rear wheel!
    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.
  • paul.skibum
    paul.skibum Posts: 4,068
    Also since you live in Sheffield - its gonna rain.
    Closet jockey wheel pimp whore.
  • Jim Lyon
    Jim Lyon Posts: 72
    by nicklouse » Mon Sep 10, 2012 7:41 pm
    so who read the question?

    JL - I'm glad you did !
    So, Schwalbe, heard of them but never used any of them.
    The problems I have round Sheffield ( & it's not so much the rain as the wind! ) when road riding my old rigid framed Trek 820 is that because there are so many hills, I want as light a tyre as possible. but even having gone up to 1.75", because the roads are so rough, by the time the tread is about 2/3rds + worn, the tyre bead & sidewalls are so chewed up by the continual hammering, the tyre ( particularly the rear ) is a scrapper.
    Normally, I'd tend to shy away from a 2.00" tyre on the suspicion that it's too heavy, but as I seem to have limited choices, i'll take a closer look @ it "through your eyes". So, not having seen a Schwalbe Kojak, there are a few questions I want to ask to help me decide.
    1) Am I right in assuming their are no Kojaks in 1.75"?
    2) So, if I have to go for 2.00", I've learned there can be significant differences in manufacturers "nominal" sizes, & it might actually measure up as being a little less?
    3) While I came across some googled reviews on the 1.35", nobody really said whether the 2.00" Kojak is a light /medium/ heavy tyre. anybody know?
    4) Apart from weight, what is it's rolling resistance like? And related to that, what's the maximum tyre pressure they can use?
    For the benefit of other's comments, my brakes are Magura HS33 upgraded with braided steel hoses, metal backing plates, 50% use of trials pads ( any more & it would be difficult to avoid "bunny hops" - which I 'd prefer to avoid in heavy traffic ( don't really care for the idea of some dozy surprised car driver giving me a "bumper up my jumper" ! ), & some stronger than Magura "brake boosters". With that amount of brake power, I really need the amount of rubber that slicks provide, in order to make better use of it.

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