Good 26" mtb commuting tyres?

[beanzontoast]

Been putting up with the stock 'knobblies' on my Trek 3700 which I've been using for commuting (no punctures, but it's been heavy going at times - they are really chunky things).

I'd like to change to something more commuting-specific in the tyre line. My commute's on roads only (though the roads are shocking in places!). When I asked the bike shop about this, they said to be careful as some tyres would look 'wrong' on my Trek. I don't want to look silly, but on the other hand, I'm more concerned with having a decent ride and keeping the punctures at bay than whether it will win any fashion awards!

Anyone else been down this route with commuterising their mtb tyres?

 

[Stingy]

You can't go wrong with a set of Schwalbe Marathons. Best combination of price, puncture protection and tread out there.

 

[2Loose]

On my last mtb I put a pair of fairly skinny Schwalbe city jets on the bike - they looked very wrong, but they were much lighter than the knobblies and rolled so well it felt like a new bike. They aren't as puncture proof as Marathons, but they are a lot lighter and faster - also a third of the cost.

If you are concerned about looks, then whatever semi-slicks you get, get them as fat as possible, 2.1" slick tyres look a lot better on an mtb than 1.5" ones

 

[Stingy]

On my last mtb I put a pair of fairly skinny Schwalbe city jets on the bike - they looked very wrong, but they were much lighter than the knobblies and rolled so well it felt like a new bike. They aren't as puncture proof as Marathons, but they are a lot lighter and faster - also a third of the cost.

If you are concerned about looks, then whatever semi-slicks you get, get them as fat as possible, 2.1" slick tyres look a lot better on an mtb than 1.5" ones

City jets are only £2 cheaper. not worth the bother when you can be almost puncture proof for a couple of quid more.

I used to have some city jets, although they are slicker, they are only rated for 60 psi whereas the marathons are 70 which more than makes up for the tiniest bit more rolling resistance of the tread.

That central channel on city jets is also a magnet for punctures.

 

[NormanD]

I've been using these for well over a year now and I haven't had a single problem with them, they ride smooth. corner very well in all conditions and as yet no punctures 

 

[rodgy-dodge]

Been putting up with the stock 'knobblies' on my Trek 3700 which I've been using for commuting (no punctures, but it's been heavy going at times - they are really chunky things).

I'd like to change to something more commuting-specific in the tyre line. My commute's on roads only (though the roads are shocking in places!). When I asked the bike shop about this, they said to be careful as some tyres would look 'wrong' on my Trek. I don't want to look silly, but on the other hand, I'm more concerned with having a decent ride and keeping the punctures at bay than whether it will win any fashion awards!

Anyone else been down this route with commuterising their mtb tyres?

I was considering changing mine to semi slicks as I do mainly lanes and cinderpaths -very little off road. However someone said to pump my tyres up a little harder and I found this helped or its all psychological and I'm just getting fitter

 

[2Loose]

City jets are only £2 cheaper. not worth the bother when you can be almost puncture proof for a couple of quid more.

I can get city jets for a tenner, but M+ for £25... I want to, no, I NEED to know your supplier!

Also, they add half a kilo per wheel and I have quite a few hills...but even so, for 2 quid a wheel more I would take the less puncture option, with lighter tyres for non-commuting duty every time.

 

[3narf]

When I asked the bike shop about this, they said to be careful as some tyres would look 'wrong' on my Trek.

What a ridiculous comment! One of the coolest things about adapting bikes for commuting is that they never look 'wrong,' just more specialised.

And why would you have to be careful? Are you more likely to fall off an unfashionable bike?



Anyway, I use Specialized Nimbus tyres which I bought 2nd hand in 1993 when I lived in London. I commuted with them for about 3 years on and off, and I've just fitted them to my Orange again for commuting as there's plenty of life in them yet. they don't (I think) make them any more, so this is probably of limited use to you...


Decathalon do 26" road tyres for £10; they look OK and have a reflective ring on the sidewalls, so I might eventually replace the Nimbuses (Nimbi?) with those.

 

[3narf]

Oh, apparently they do still make a Nimbus, but it's a completely different tyre.

 

[Stingy]

I can get city jets for a tenner, but M+ for £25... I want to, no, I NEED to know your supplier!

Also, they add half a kilo per wheel and I have quite a few hills...but even so, for 2 quid a wheel more I would take the less puncture option, with lighter tyres for non-commuting duty every time.

I said Marathons, not Marathon plus

Sjs have plain marathons for £13.99 each. Obviously M+ are even more puncture proof, but for me normal marathons have never had a puncture so they do the job just fine for less money & weight.

 

[Cheule]

I can get city jets for a tenner, but M+ for £25... I want to, no, I NEED to know your supplier!

Also, they add half a kilo per wheel and I have quite a few hills...but even so, for 2 quid a wheel more I would take the less puncture option, with lighter tyres for non-commuting duty every time.

I got my pair of M+ for £39.95 from here. Good service too

 

[beanzontoast]

Thanks all.

I'm going to suss out the M+ I think - have used them on tourers in the past, so if the 26" look ok and are as good, it will be worth it.

Re: tyre pressures - I've kept the knobblies at top of pressure and it has helped (or at least it feel like it has), but I've always felt they're just that little bit too chunky and heavy rolling for everyday commuting.

 

[crankyray]

I got my pair of M+ for £39.95 from here. Good service too

yep they get a thumbs up from me also , both the tyres & supplier .

ordered a pair of Marathon+ & they were delivered next morning.

 

[3narf]

Anyway, I use Specialized Nimbus tyres which I bought 2nd hand in 1993 when I lived in London. I commuted with them for about 3 years on and off, and I've just fitted them to my Orange again for commuting as there's plenty of life in them yet...

Hahaha

Kiss of death. the rear one has started to break up at the sidewall on the way to work today. I might take them back.

 

[biggs682]

changed mine to schwable city slick , puncture protection and great to ride on