hybrid tyres for a mountain bike

[American iv]

Quick question - I've got a GT Avalanche Peak 3.0 mountain bike (front suspension, hardtail) for a couple of months now and have been riding it as purchased (stock tyres). Having had a go on a touring bike on hols with narrow road tyres, I'm looking to change mine but am not sure what to aim for... The touring bike didn't have anywhere near as much vibration through the pedals (something I've always attributed to the knobbly tyres) and were much faster on the road...

Last night I had a typical ride - it involved:

• 3/4 miles of road
• 7/8 miles of hard-packed gravel trail with loose stone
• 3/4 miles of path (mud/soil, narrow, twisty etc).

Tonight, I'm off out again, but it'll be 20 odd miles of road / hard-packed gravel.

I'm just not sure what tyres to go for or if I should stick to full knobbly tyres - it'd make the roads and hard-packed gravel much easier. Looking at Evans they have full slicks, tyres with big grips on the outside & smooth on the inside and inverted treads... Would anything be suitable for me?

Cheers

[dubbs]

Tyres that are smooth centre with grippy outer are a compromise so you get "ok" for everything but not really good at anything either.

I'd suggest maybe something like a narrow (ish) Panaracer XC Pro (think it's a Fire?) and then have the pressure a little higher to suit.

That way you'll get the cornering grip you need bu not too much rolling resisance on the tarmac.

See what others recommend too....

[Randy Winkman]

I use Continental SportContacts - they're good, but possibly not up to the off road use you describe.

[American iv]

hmm, I hadn't thought of different knobbly tyres - the Panaracer's look like a really good idea! Thanks!

[john_p]

Don't get Schwalbe City Jets, marvel in their onroad speed ability, then try and cycle on a muddy canalpath. I wasn't far off "baling out" as the bike headed toward the edge...

[JonesyBoy]

I do a very similar ride to the one you describe regularly.......and I would suggest you stay with knobbly tyres full stop! Either put up with the vibration on roads as it's a way of getting you to the "fun bits" or.......add a road bike to your collection! In my experience compromise is always tricky with a bike thats designed to do ma very specific job!

Good Luck.

[American iv]

ha, the idea of adding a road bike has crossed my mind quite a few times already. I would miss the off-road stuff though as thats where I have the most fun.

I think I might look to getting a set of narrower tyres or at least ask a few questions at the local shops anyway Thanks for the advice though!

[G0ldfysh]

slick tyres on my commuter mountain bike. ride feels great good speed on road then try cutting a corner which involves short section of grass on roadside. Dry all is well.

Wet grass, equals bruised ego and surprise as wheels drop from under me instantly

Go a lot quicker but still need caution with some off road style riding prob better with knobblies.

[Roop]

I run Specialized Nimbus Armadillos on my Hardrock. They have the Kevlar lining in as well for puncture resistance. They have tread cut into them but the rolling losses are not bad. On a 200m downhill stretch I lose about 5m to my road bike which is pretty good. You do need to run them rock hard though. I inflate mine to 80psi which is all I can keep in with car valves.

I rode these on the C2C without problems - around 15-20% of which was unprepared roads / tracks.

Edited by Roop on Wednesday 26th August 16:04

[Digger]

Just to add to Roop's suggestion. I'd be surprised if there is a more puncture-proof tyre than the armadillos. I ran two pairs on my specialised Sirrus Pro when commuting for 5 years in central London - and not a single puncture. I bought the first pair having suffered front and back punctures in a single day!

[Arj256]

I have a pair of Continental Traffic's fitted to my bike and am really impressed with them.
Roll nicely on the road, and surprisingly grippy off road.
Definitely worth a look at.