MTB Road Tyres

[OvertheHill]

Use my MTB for commuting (on roads) and I'm hoping to get a road bike in the next cycle2work scheme at work (January). My question is would changing the knobblies on my bike to road tyres make much difference, both in terms of effort and speed?

If so, any recommendations for a solid tyre that is relatively puncture resistant

Cheers

 

[fossyant]

Yes they do make a big difference, certainly the 'faster lighter' tyres.

Lot's of folk say Marathons, Conti Sport Contacts, Hutchinson Top slick, Mich City Jet.

 

[OvertheHill]

Probably a stupid question but do they need new inner tubes or can the existing ones be used?

 

[008]

I went from 26x1.95 knobblies to 26x1.35 marathon + and my lbs said the inner tubes will be fine... and they were, even though the size range on the inner tubes were much bigger than the tyres (something like 1.75-2.1)

lbs could easily have sold me a couple of new tubes but they didn't, so no reason to think it wouldn't be fine.

 

[OvertheHill]

I went from 26x1.95 knobblies to 26x1.35 marathon + and my lbs said the inner tubes will be fine... and they were, even though the size range on the inner tubes were much bigger than the tyres (something like 1.75-2.1)

lbs could easily have sold me a couple of new tubes but they didn't, so no reason to think it wouldn't be fine.

Did it make much difference to you? Speed, effort etc? Ta

 

[fossyant]

I went from knobblies to Hutchinson Top slick 2's.....lets say they were much quicker, but only a road tyre - 26 x 1.2, fast, but no good off road at all. Once these wore out, I went back to some heavy duty 'tour' tyres, slightly slower, but did the job ntil my new bike arrived.

If you go down to 1.2, you'll probably need new tubes - although 1.5's or so you'll be fine.

 

[MrRidley]

I changed to conti sport contacts 26x1.5 (p*******proof) and the difference was amazing both speed and comfort.

 

[silverbow]

I swapped my knobbies for SCHWALBE Marathon Plus 26 x 1.75. They have improved time and grip in most conditions except heavy rain of course. I went for the 1.75's as I wanted a tyre which was a little more forgiving in ride comfort. I did find however that the tyre needs to be at 60psi to work properly (so you need a pump which can achieve this), this is due to the gel anti punchure protective layer which needs to be forced into shape. I found they need a good 20 miles before the manufacturing sheen wore off and they started to grip properly.

Overall I am very happy these tyres, no punctures yet and the reflective rim works very well (so I've been told) Recommend.

 

[ed_o_brain]

I picked up a pair of 26" x 1.4" Michelin XC Road Tyres for £15 from my local decathlon.

Very light fast tyre which absolutely transformed the bike.

However, they have negligible puncture resistance (although only one flat so far in a month of using them) and questionable grip in anything other than optimal dry conditions. I still use them in the wet, but I ride much more carefully.

 

[eldudino]

I've got 26 x 1.5 Bontrager Satellite Plus' for winter and 26 x 1.25 Specialized Fatboy's for summer use. The recent wet weather has meant the Fatboys have had a good workout on moist roads and they've performed excellently. They are quicker than the 1.5's due to the lower weight and smaller contact patch. I was a bit worried at first about a full slick but they've done really well, plus no punctures int eh 3 months that I've had them, they've got a hardened casing too. The benefit of the Fatboy's is that they're fairly cheap, £17 each.

 

[Bodhbh]

They make a *huge* difference, as I'm currently moaning about on Health and Fitness. Suppose then is how slick and how thin to go, but tbh *anything* makes a big difference versus knobblies. I tried 1.35 Schwalbe Kojaks but I found with the varying height of the bike was getting some pedal scrapes around corners which is probably a minor thing but it got on my nerves a bit and now use 2.0 Marathon Supremes, a fat slick but a bit pricey. I think Schwable do another fat slick the City Jet which looks okay and much cheaper.

 

[andylaw79]

I use Schwable City Jet 1.5's on my SS MTB and they work just fine in most conditions, not tired when frosty yet, just keep them at 60psi. P* protection on them is pretty good too and they are pretty cheap I think I paid about £11 each at my lbs.

 

[008]

Did it make much difference to you? Speed, effort etc? Ta

They did make a noticeable difference... then you get used to them and want more speed... but that's when your new road bike arrives, next January!

Personally, I went for the Spesh Sirrus Elite, a couple of years ago now, and have since changed the 28mm tyres for 23mm, which made another noticeable difference.

 

[OvertheHill]

Got some 26 x 1.5 Bontrager Satellite Plus's from LBS. Went for the first ride in the park today with my daughter so didn't get to really compare them (that'll be when I'm back at work) but I did notice that free-wheeling down hills seemed to accelerate must quicker than when on knobblies. Look a bit odd though!

 

[cyberknight]

I use Schwable City Jet 1.5's on my SS MTB and they work just fine in most conditions, not tired when frosty yet, just keep them at 60psi. P* protection on them is pretty good too and they are pretty cheap I think I paid about £11 each at my lbs.

+ 1

i have the same tyres on my subway and they are great for the price , i have to use maybe 1 mile of cyclepath littered with glass and bits of lorries and no blow outs yet