MTB Commuting Tyres

[Seight_Returns]

I'm currently commuting on my Giant XTC hardtail with Schwalbe Big Apple 26/2.125 semi-slicks.

Seems pretty much ideal - commute is only 5 miles each way so the speed/gearing compromise isn't too much of a sacrifice and the route is half road and half rough tarmac/brick riverside path. The Big Apples seem to work very well for this, they're a high volume tyre so roll pretty smoothly without having to pump them up hard so I can still ride over the rough paths and bump the occasiopnal kerb at speed.

Only problem is that I use the bike for longer rides along the riverside path at the weekend which has the occasional muddy and wet grass section for which the Big Apples being almost treadless have no traction.

So what I'm really looking for is a commuting tyre that rolls fast on tarmac and hard packed paths - but has a bit of side tread to give some grip on the occasional muddy/grassy bits.

Am I looking for the impossible ? I'm thinking perhaps Specialized Crossroads or Hemisphere or Continental Traffic.

Grateful for any suggestions.

[anonymous-user]

Have a look at Kenda small block 8s or Maxxis Larsen TTs but there is a compromise to be made in terms of rolling resistance and the level of grip you want need which is up to you. Larsen TTs are great tyres though, I run them at around 50 psi and they are smooth and quick on the road, then just drop them to 40 if I'm heading offroad and they are fast and grippy on most dry (or well drained) trail centre type surfaces. Fairly poor in mud and natural conditions however...

[jshell]

Maxxis Crossmarks, have a look. I've had them on commute, down steep technical slopes and through mud. I really love 'em.

[Cupramax]

I put Continental Double Fighters on mine, made 1.5 mph average improvement even on a heavy old shed of a MTB.

[norman156]

My MTB had a pair of Continental Travel Contacts when I bought it, they might be a better compromise. If you won't be doing anything too muddy they could well be enough. It was a fairly pointless compromise for me though as I do very few road miles, so I swapped them for something a little nobblier.

Edited by norman156 on Thursday 2nd May 21:15

[Seight_Returns]

Thank you all - exactly the type of tyres I'm looking for.

[blueheron]

Schwalbe Landcruiser here.

[metalsteve]

blueheron said:

Schwalbe Landcruiser here.

Same here, low rolling resistance on road and chunky enough for some off roading.

[JackP1]

norman156 said:

My MTB had a pair of Continental Travel Contacts when I bought it, they might be a better compromise. If you won't be doing anything too muddy they could well be enough. It was a fairly pointless compromise for me though as I do very few road miles, so I swapped them for something a little nobblier.

Edited by norman156 on Thursday 2nd May 21:15

I have these and they were fantastic to use for daily use, rolling resistance majorly reducesd and could still tackle trails well enough.

Ended up switching back to the original tyres as i was getting a lot quicker on the trails etc and had a couple of moments where i nearly lost it ( and full on lost it ) due to the lesser grip so needed the extra knobblies!

[littleandy0410]

norman156 said:

My old nobbly tyres on my Claud Butler used to look like that when I was a teenager, from all the cool skids I used to do!

[anonymous-user]

Chain reaction are doing Scwalbe CX Comp's for £13 at the moment, I've just bought a pair and they're great - I use my bike for exactly what you describe, OP. Very pleased with them.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mobile/MobileMo...