Road tyres for MTB

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so solid crew

Active Member
Hi all,

I own a 2021 Specialised fuze 27.5 hardtail MTB with fat 2.8 inch tyres which are hard going on roads . There's very little trails where i live so i mainly have to cycle on roads to get to them, drive out to places etc. I mostly rely on canal paths & bridleways ,urban stuff or occasional light off road stuff. Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced tyre that's good on roads but also able to cope with light/ medium off road, maybe blue trails?

Many thanks
 

vickster

Legendary Member
Maybe consider a gravel tyre like the Schwalbe G one all around, road tyre won't be fun on medium off road...assuming they come in the right 27.5mm size.
Merlin good for tyres, this is their 27.5 gravel selection (some tubeless)
https://www.merlincycles.com/cyclocross-gravel-tyres-75333/?diameter=27-5-

Or a less extreme MTB tyre eg https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Continental-Double-Fighter-III-27-5-inch-MTB-Tyre_103240.htm?
 
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fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Schwalbe Landcruisers are OK - roll OK on the road, and grippy enough for gravel and muddy canals - I used these for my commute, but as mine is currently gravel and tarmac, I'm running some semi slicks, but they do not do mud at all.

You could also look into 2.3" XC Tyres like the Schwalbe Rapid Rob or similar XC as then you aren't getting an off road compromise, and they are lighter than the Land cruiser.
 
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so solid crew

Active Member
Where abouts are you? I have a few used/worn tyres you can have/try if you are close and want to pick them up. 27.5*2.25 or *2.3ish

I'm in Derby
 
Many years ago I used to have a folding mountain bike with semi off road tyres
The had slightly knobbly bits at the side but a smooth ridge in the middle so when you were rolling along a smooth road with hard tyres then the smooth middle bit was the only bit in contact with the road - but as soon as the surface got even a little bit soft the knobbly bits came into action

There are a few around - search for semi slick or semi off road

like I say - it was ages ago so I have no idea how good the current offering are - but might be worth a look


As far as personal experience goes - I ride mostly on canal paths and gravelly paths and find Schwalbe Marathons work find - with some "interesting" moments in winter!
They do wander on wet rocks and mud - but as these are not that common I can generally just slow down and be careful and not fall off
 

Scotchlovingcylist

Formerly known as Speedfreak
Think Conti contact cruisers are available in 27.5 and have them on my mtb.
Pretty decent on local tracks even when muddy, bit sketchy on anything too sodden however and require a bit of user skill to correct.
Serving me well so far and pretty puncture proof.
20230225_091005.jpg
 
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so solid crew

Active Member
Thanks for the advice. another question, if the internal width of the rim is 38 mm, what is the smallest tyre with that I can use?
 
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