Slicks for 26" MTB wheels - recommendations?

[MINIrocket]

Hi All!

First time i've ventured into this part of the forum, as i'm normally on here trying to fix my 205 mi16 so hello!

I've entered into the London-Brighton bike ride in the summer and will be using my Trek Fuel-80 MTB. I'm about to give it a good overhaul and part of this is putting some road orientated / slick tyres on.

Does anyone have any recommendations for some decent road tyres suitable for an MTB 26" wheel? There are a couple that i've seen such as "Continental Ultra Gator Skin" or "Specialized Fat Boy" but does anyone have any good recommendations?

I'm pretty sure I want at least a tiny bit of tread so that I can ride in the rain if necessary?

Cheers!
Dave

[agent006]

I use Tioga City Slicker II on mine. They've got plenty of tread for the wet and don't suffer for it in the dry either.

[-C-]

I put some Schwalbe City Jets on my bike when I communted for a month or so.

They seemed fine to me!

[DRB]

The continental and Specialized ones you mention are very slick and narrow, good for speed but will probably feel a bit weird on your full sus trek.

The Specialized Nimbus and Maxxis Detonator are both good with a bit more tread/width, or continental do some good semi-slicks with a free tube and puncture proof guarantee.

I've used Maxxis Detonators for the last year or so and not had a puncture, they also give impressive grip (in the dry) and speed.

[pdV6]

I use Schwalbe Big Apples on my commuter bike.


http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cyc...

Plenty of volume so they don't feel weird on an MTB but nice and fast on the road with just enough tread to cope with damp surfaces okay.

[mk1fan]

If you're only going to use them 'once' then why not get a semi-slick knobbly tyre instead. Atleast then you can get some Trail use out of them during the Summer.

DMR Moto RT, Maxxis High Roller Semi-Slick, Michelin Country Rock, Michelin Tribes DH15, Michelin XC Hard Terrain, Schwalbe Black Jack, Schwalbe Crazy Jack, Schwalbe Hurricane semi-slick, Schwalbe Marathon Cross.

There are loads available - and a lot of those I've listed are currently on Sale at Chain Reaction.

Pump 'em up to their max pressure for road riding and lock out your suspension. You'll probably find your bike will be undergeared with fast 'slicks' but for a social ride like the L2B it shouldn't be an issue.

Edited by mk1fan on Tuesday 25th March 11:02

[leggly]

Maxxis hookworms if they'll fit

[thepickle]

I’ve tried the Continental Travel Contact for just over a month (Jan 08) on my hardtail mtb. The puncture protection guarantee was the main reason for getting them. I have found them to be rubbish to be frank, I've had bog-standard thorns penetrate and puncture every tyre. When I say “every tyre”... that leads me to the good thing about them, the puncture warranty is honoured!! Which I found unbelieveable, and the guys in Halfords (don’t judge me, I don’t usually get bike stuff from here) were amazed also when I produced the label detailing the warranty which says something about guaranteeing “no air loss.” I’ve had three new tyres for free since buying the two original ones, but I’ve had at least a couple of punctures in every one I’ve had! So, after having them on for about a month (no more than 300 miles), and going through five of them, I gave up and went back to something a lot more knobbly with no so called “puncture protection” Oh, and I found them a bit narrow at 1.75, too much rolling resistance at low speed and f-all grip in anything other than bone dry conditions. So to summarise, I personally wouldn’t recommend them!! I just found it funny that they have this warranty on them against "air loss" through punctures, and then I get normal thorns getting through. I could get new tyres every couple of weeks for a year in theory, but I felt bad enough getting three free over a two week period to be honest so I've just dumped them and won't buy Conti again.

As an aside, I’ve been told “Schwalbe Marathon Plus - Smart Guard” are the best semi-slick for puncture resistance, but I’ve no experience of them so couldn’t comment.

[mk1fan]

I use the Marathon Plus and they are vey good indeed (both 26-inch and 700c). Heavy though and ultimately not as fast as a 'slick' with no puncture protection. Again, I doubt this will be an issue doing the L2B. Expensive though - Spa Cycles are doing them for £20 each at the moment and that's the best price I've found for them. £5 p&p though which makes them the same price as CRC - but Spa do have them instock. Can be hard to fit though.

I think the OP will be better off with a set of semi-slicks or hardpack tyres. Unless they intend to do more road riding - but the FS doesn't lend itself to that too well.

ETA: Bicycle road tyres don't need a tread to grip in the wet. It's (supposedly) simple physics and how the grip is generated (the road pressing into the tyre rather than the tyre pressing into the road). TBH I don't understand it but it must be true as the Pros ride slick 'slicks' in all weathers. Although, there is the physcological barrier to using slick 'slicks' in the wet but once past that you don't give it another thought.

Edited by mk1fan on Wednesday 26th March 14:49

[Nick_F]

I only ride slicks. Tread is for clearing water to reduce aquaplaning, and bicycles don't aquaplane.

[jiber]

i ride michelin xcr road on my nakamura
very good tyres!

[vwsurfbum]

Nick_F said:

I only ride slicks. Tread is for clearing water to reduce aquaplaning, and bicycles don't aquaplane.

i agree, i bought a road bike for the london to southend last year and in the training before hand it rained alot! never had a problem(only mental, thinking your going to slip) now i sold the road bike and run full slicks on my full susser!

[PomBstard]

I've run Serfas tyres on my HT for communting over the last two years. Can't remember which model they are, but are 26" x 1.25" and have had two punctures in two years/about 5000km isn't too bad.

[dubbs]

You don't need ANY tread at all for Lodnon-Brighton.

Managed a 2h56m last year - doubt I'll manage to get to do it this year though.

BTW unless you start at 0600 or 0630 you'll not be going fast enough to worry about sliding as the crowds fill it up apparently. I've only ever done a 6am start so only going on what others tell me and picks I've seen of the finish line around midday!