Is this a bad idea?

[xxmimixx]

I' m going to try and ride as far into the winter as I can bear it! But instead of using my road bike I want to start using my MTB for winter, as I dont want to get my road bike battered!

However I think I need to change tyres as I would mostly ride on country roads, I feel that they would 'feel' too knobbly! The current tyres are Specialized The Captain Sport, 26x2.0", 60TPI, wire bead.
What do you reccomend to replace these with which are more road friendly, yet grippy for winter wet and dirty roads?

Thanks

 

[Strick]

Unable to offer any advise on the tyres, but good luck with it.
Im already wondering how far in to the winter i will be able to "stick it" for.

 

[tyred]

I don't think you'll go too far wrong with City Jets. Cheap, puncture resistant and roll pretty well.

 

[johnnyh]

I have these on my hardtail for road riding.

check what your rim will take though.

 

[xxmimixx]

thanks Strick, if you ride in a group or a cycling buddy, that would make it much more plesant, (I Hope!)

 

[xxmimixx]

these are the rims
RimsT-Swiss 445, 26", alloy double wall disc, pinned w/ eyelets
if you can give me specific links to the tyre that would fit I would be grateful, im not very good at these things

do I needd 26 -1.6 or 1.3?

 

[Ibbots]

Specialized Nimbus Armadillo, grippy enough if a bit slow rolling. Good puncture resistance and seem to last for ever, I had one punctre over two winters.

 

[Bicycle]

Excellent idea!

You're right to want to ditch the knobblies for road use. They suck the energy out of you for little or no benefit on tarmac.

You may also want to mess with the geometry to make it more roadbike-like. Lots of alterations are zero cost.

I have winter commuted on a 'roadified' MTB. It's not as quick and not as agile or light, but it is still fun.

As to tyres, the choice is almost endless.

I use Conti SportContact which are effectively slick, but you may want more tread than that.

I'd look for something with a modicum of tread that will take 80 psi.

 

[mickle]

Google: Panaracer RiBiMo - Continental Supersonic - Schwalbe Marathon (make model).

All are puncture 'proof' or have puncture proof versions available. They come in sizes to fit your rims but are much narrower than your existing tyres so will need a pair of skinnier new tubes to go with.

Order them in 26" x 1.25 to 26" x 1.5 - 26" being the (nominal) diameter, the same as the tyres you've got, and 1.5 being the width.

Get mudguards on it too, it'll be the freezing dirty spray off the wheels which makes you most miserable come winter.

 

[xxmimixx]

what sizeeeeee pleaseeeeee
Add Continental SportContact are 1.3 or 1.5
SCHWALBE CITY JET are 1.50
Specialized Nimbus Armadillo are 700x 28 or 38

so do I need new tims too??



are there any other set up changes that you suggest?


Thanks

 

[xxmimixx]

Yes I got some mudguards CycraGuard (rear and fender under the down tube) do I need a front one as well?

 

[tyred]

700 x ?? will not fit your bike.

what you need is 26 x some sort of decimal value like 26 x 1.5 (which is very different from 26 x 1 1/2!!).

I would go with 26 x 1.5 as a nice compromise between skinny tyres which look silly on an MTB and stupid big huge things.

 

[xxmimixx]

thanks tyred the 700 was from the Armadillos that was suggested. Ok ill go for a 26 x 1.5 and wont need to change rim right?? Im almost getting it now

that only leaves SCHWALBE CITY JET are 1.50 as the others aresuggested 1.6

 

[tyred]

1.6 are fine, I wouldn't go over 1.75 for slicks (just my opinion).

 

[xxmimixx]

thank you!