MTB Slicks

spr000

Hi All

I've recently got a Boardman Pro 29er after my GT Avalanche Expert 08 26er was stolen. I used slicks for road riding and commuting first Continental Sport Contacts which were a pain to change, then Specialised All Season Pros which were easy to change but a harsh ride which I now know was down to them being narrow.

I understand 29er wheels mean I can use any slick but what is the best option for decent speed, grip and puncture resistance? Some Googling has thrown up Conti 4 seasons, 4000s and Gatorskins as decent options. Is this correct? What other decent options are there? What width would you go for to balance speed and comfort? Are there any options that you'd rule out as they are a pain to change on a regular basis?

The other question is, is there a tire that is only slightly conpromises on road speed but will deal easy non road surfaces (eg canal paths, dry park mud rooty park pathes) or will slicks deal adequately with these. This is low priority.

Thanks for your help.

bailsofhay

I have run Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres for years commuting and I can count the number of punctures I have had on one hand. They grip well in most road conditions but when I changed my commute to gravel/ dirt paths I changed to the MTB version which has less drag on road than most knobbly tyres but gave a bit more control on the rougher stuff. (still no good in mud or roots though). The only downside is they weigh a fair bit but that never bothered me much.

The Rookie

Vittoria Randonneur are a good compromise between weight and fairy resistance.

I use regular 26 X 1.5 slicks and have had two visits from the PF in 6000miles, both slow enough to not stop me getting to the end of the journey before fixing.

spr000

Thanks both. Definitely wouldn't want the MTB versions of the Marathon Plus. Interesting that both the tires you suggested have a road tread pattern instead of pure slick.

As we're entering cobbled classic season, Roubiax tires came to my mind last night.

The Rookie

You going to fit tubs?

A tread pattern is useful to tell you when you've nearly worn the tread out, on a pure slick you can't tell! My Conti Sport Contacts have the tiniest amount of tread pattern that is to all intents not there.

spr000

Good point about tread and I like the barely there tread on the sport contact. Looks like the new version is different, has a gravel look to it. Probably exactly what I need. Also from the description, it should be easier to put on/ take off than the first version.

http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/commuting- ... contact-ii

Re tubs, no I was looking at clinchers like

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-g-one- ... -mtb-tyre/

https://www.evanscycles.com/vittoria-op ... e-EV239243

They're probably over kill though.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

spr000 wrote:

Good point about tread and I like the barely there tread on the sport contact. Looks like the new version is different, has a gravel look to it. Probably exactly what I need. Also from the description, it should be easier to put on/ take off than the first version.

http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/commuting- ... contact-ii

Re tubs, no I was looking at clinchers like

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-g-one- ... -mtb-tyre/

https://www.evanscycles.com/vittoria-op ... e-EV239243

They're probably over kill though.

Careful with the sizing, that G-One is the 27.5" version.;)

As an example, the 29" x 1.35/1.5 version is £39.99 at http://nextdaytyres.co.uk/details.aspx/ ... TB-29/1881 and I think the cut-off point for delivery tomorrow is 1600.

spr000

I would have checked before purchase but thanks NitrousOxide

Thinking Gatorskins vs Sport Contact atm. Folding appeals as easy storage when not in use, but would rather have the better tire.

spr000

Been doing more looking and was leaning towards the Specialised All Condition Armadillo Elite rather than the Gatorskins: https://www.evanscycles.com/specialized ... e-EV209827

The Schwalbe S One look good though and weigh quite a bit less than the Specialised, even though they are tubeless easy. I'd be using tubes with them: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/schw ... prod143771

They don't seem to be in stock anywhere though.

spr000

Does anyone have experience of either of these tires?

Also looking at the Specialized Roubiax Pro: http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Rou ... CGO3w_wcB#