MTB Road Tyres - What Width ?
Discussion
Going to get a second set of wheels with slick tyres for commuting in the week on the hardtail.
Have read lots of good stuff here and elsewhere as to the pros and cons of the various tyres available, but not so much about the ideal width to go for.
From what I can see, 26" slicks widths go from 1.1" through to 2".
I guess that as with road bike tyres it's a trade off between speed/nimbleness and comfort, with perhaps the ability to take a bit of a pounding without dinging the rims also being a factor.
There's obvilously no right answer to the "what's the best width" question otherwise they'd only make one width, but not withstanding that, what width should I be looking at ? My commute will be about 9 miles and will be 80% tarmac, 10% cobbles, 10% hardpack path. I'd like to be able to hit the odd kerb without fear of putting dents in the rims or pinging spokes on a regular basis. For my previous tarmac only commute on a hybrid, I've found a 28mm slick road tyre a good compromise between speed and comfort.
Grateful for any opinions or advice.
Have read lots of good stuff here and elsewhere as to the pros and cons of the various tyres available, but not so much about the ideal width to go for.
From what I can see, 26" slicks widths go from 1.1" through to 2".
I guess that as with road bike tyres it's a trade off between speed/nimbleness and comfort, with perhaps the ability to take a bit of a pounding without dinging the rims also being a factor.
There's obvilously no right answer to the "what's the best width" question otherwise they'd only make one width, but not withstanding that, what width should I be looking at ? My commute will be about 9 miles and will be 80% tarmac, 10% cobbles, 10% hardpack path. I'd like to be able to hit the odd kerb without fear of putting dents in the rims or pinging spokes on a regular basis. For my previous tarmac only commute on a hybrid, I've found a 28mm slick road tyre a good compromise between speed and comfort.
Grateful for any opinions or advice.
Edited by Seight_Returns on Thursday 17th June 16:45
1.3's are perfect!
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/TYCOSC/conti-sport-con...
Come with free inner tubes aswell!
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/TYCOSC/conti-sport-con...
Come with free inner tubes aswell!
I've got Conti Sport Contacts in 1.6. They are superb. Pump them to 65psi and they are steel hard. No tread just a slick with a single thin curved tread cut so they look good too.
Halfords have them for £22 each including the tubes and you get a 1 year puncture guarantee.
ETA I can average 16.5 on a mixed ride with them.
Halfords have them for £22 each including the tubes and you get a 1 year puncture guarantee.
ETA I can average 16.5 on a mixed ride with them.
Edited by Raven Flyer on Thursday 17th June 18:46
I swapped my 2.2 inch Conti Town and Counties for a set of 1.6 inch something-or-others yesterday.
Did one ride home and absolutely hated them. The rims are back at Evans right now having a set of Conti 1.9's fitted
Each to their own but I hated the 1.6's. I ride across massively f****d up London tarmac every day and need the bump absorption of larger tyres.
Did one ride home and absolutely hated them. The rims are back at Evans right now having a set of Conti 1.9's fitted
Each to their own but I hated the 1.6's. I ride across massively f****d up London tarmac every day and need the bump absorption of larger tyres.
[quote=angusc43]I swapped my 2.2 inch Conti Town and Counties for a set of 1.6 inch Schwalbes yesterday.
I did one ride home last night and absolutely hated them. The rims are back at Evans right now having a set of Conti 2.0's fitted. I ride across massively f****d up London tarmac every day and need the bump absorption of larger tyres.
Plus, I actually LIKE the resistance of fatter tyres as it keeps me fit. I only do 7.5 miles each way and am already averaging 15.5 mph on the (slightly downhill) way in. Any less resistance and I might as well go back to taking the tube.
And the 1.6's looked stupid on MB wheels. Like an old car with the wrong too-low-profile tyres fitted and big gaps in the arches. I should have know not to take advice from a roadie rider.....*sigh*
So the Schwalbe 1.6's were, in summary, s**t.
And did I day I didn't like them?
I did one ride home last night and absolutely hated them. The rims are back at Evans right now having a set of Conti 2.0's fitted. I ride across massively f****d up London tarmac every day and need the bump absorption of larger tyres.
Plus, I actually LIKE the resistance of fatter tyres as it keeps me fit. I only do 7.5 miles each way and am already averaging 15.5 mph on the (slightly downhill) way in. Any less resistance and I might as well go back to taking the tube.
And the 1.6's looked stupid on MB wheels. Like an old car with the wrong too-low-profile tyres fitted and big gaps in the arches. I should have know not to take advice from a roadie rider.....*sigh*
So the Schwalbe 1.6's were, in summary, s**t.
And did I day I didn't like them?
anniesdad said:
angusc43 said:
The rims are back at Evans right now having a set of Conti 1.9's fitted
Oh, you have "people" to change your tyres. I like your style!
Plus I'm getting some new Mavic's at the same time (as old rims pretty shagged) and the wifey would've spotted me fitting everything up in the back garden......
Edited by angusc43 on Friday 18th June 13:32
angusc43 said:
anniesdad said:
angusc43 said:
The rims are back at Evans right now having a set of Conti 1.9's fitted
Oh, you have "people" to change your tyres. I like your style!Plus I'm getting some new Mavic's at the same time (as old rims pretty shagged) and the wifey would've spotted me fitting everything up in the back garden......
Edited by angusc43 on Friday 18th June 13:32
Yep, There is always a trade off. The smaller and harder the tyre, the less resistance and the less isolation from the road imperfections. I have flicked my suspension gates open on really bad surfaces. On a hybrid, your only option would be to reduce the pressures slightly.
A mate is doing his first L2B on Sunday. He was going to do it on a set of £15 MTB tyres. I've lent him my slicks.
A mate is doing his first L2B on Sunday. He was going to do it on a set of £15 MTB tyres. I've lent him my slicks.
anniesdad said:
angusc43 said:
anniesdad said:
angusc43 said:
The rims are back at Evans right now having a set of Conti 1.9's fitted
Oh, you have "people" to change your tyres. I like your style!Plus I'm getting some new Mavic's at the same time (as old rims pretty shagged) and the wifey would've spotted me fitting everything up in the back garden......
Edited by angusc43 on Friday 18th June 13:32
Pomposity over.
angusc43 said:
I wasn't meaning to sound pompous - I was just trying to give my viewpoint. I was a bit peed off to get sold the 1.6's when I made it clear I liked the big fatties. Against my better judgement I bought them and didn't like the trade off.
Pomposity over.
It's OK - you weren't sounding pompous, just my (perhaps poor) choice of word, first word that came into my head. Pomposity over.
Now you've explained it, I can totally see your point, however, would you not have been better off picking a tyre yourself? Little confused why you left it up to them?
i've got hellfrauds no-name 1.75s on my bike at the minute with a none aggressive tread they seem to do Ok on the road / cycle tracks as well as on loose surfaces like farm roads and unsurfaced bridleways /cycle paths. The tread pattern is pretty much like mountai nbike tyres of old - except it hasn't got the narrow 'slick' strip on the crown of the tyre
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