Slicks on a Rockhopper

Steve7577

Thinking of turning my Rockhopper into a hybrid the wife can use. What is the thinnest tubes and slicks I could get away with putting on it?

craker

Schwalbe City Jets, 1.5" is what I've used for yonks and I see others recommend too. How narrow you can go depends on your rims, you may be able to get 32mm (1 1/4") but I suspect they'd be a pain to get on and off.

cooldad

No point in going too skinny, no difference in speed and fatter are more comfy.

cooldad

£20 for a pair - can't really go wrong.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350776279596? ... 1438.l2649

thekickingmule

cooldad wrote:

£20 for a pair - can't really go wrong.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350776279596? ... 1438.l2649

I'd second this. I used these for years when I commuted by bike. Great tyres, and for that price, you'd be daft not to!

bikaholic

I have tried slicks and semi-slick tyres as narrow as a Specialized Fatboy 26x1.0 to tyres as wide as a Schwalbe Big Apple 26x2.35, and every size inbetween.

Fat tyres are comfy but feel wallowy with a vague steering characteristic. Narrow tyres have a direct and fast steering characteristic but can feel harsh even on a good condition London road.

My happy medium is a 26x1.5 or 1.6: Schwalbe Marathon Plus for ultra durability; Continental Sport Contact for speed and grip (turns sticky in summer heat and will shower small particles of road grit at the underside of the downtube).

felix.london

bikaholic wrote:

good condition London road