Silly question about my MTB tyres

[Joe.R]

Could someone explain what this description of tyres means please

''Specialized Fast Trak LK Sport tyres use a reduced knob height for lower rolling resistance''

They are very nobbly tyres (Specialized Fast Trak LK Sport, 26x2.0", 60TPI, wire bead) and I am begining to wish I had semi slicks fitted but didnt really appriciate the difference, so from the above description what are they saying?

Thanks - Joe

 

[Panter]

To be honest, it means exactly what it says on the tin

For off-road tyres, they actually have very small "knobbly bits," Google images for Maxxis swampthings or Jones mud-X tyres for comparison.

Your tyres will be fast on fairly hardpacked, dry, off-road trails but I don't think you'll get much traction on mud.

On tarmac, if you really want an off-road tyre, then they look pretty good.
I have a similar tread pattern on my Bontrager Jones tyres and they're fast for cross-country, grip rock well and roll fairly well on the road.

If you only ride on tarmac though, I'd change the tyres for slicks as anything with knobbles will slow you down and be hard work in comparison.

HTH

EDIT: Just re-read your post. Rolling resistance is basically the resistance caused by the tyre surface as it rolls along the ground.
With a knobbly tyre, the knobbles are constantly pushing against the road as the tyre rotates causing resistance (and a burning sensation in the legs!)
On a slick tyre, there is far less resistance so you can go faster for less effort.
Obviously, when off-roading, the knobbles are extremely desireable as you're looking to find traction on loose surfaces but they're far from ideal on the road.

 

[Steve Austin]

panter is right. also the taller knobbles on mud tyres aren't always very stiff, so they will flex when cornering on the road. It feels horrible and the bike will squirm all over the place, if you can manage to stay on it

 

[Davidc]

For road use the best are slicks, as said by Panter and SA, inflated to the maximum design pressure.

Unless you can ride at over 80mph and therefore aquaplane no tread at all is ideal.

Slicks give perfectly good grip on every towpath, railway path, and cycle route etc. that I've riden on. They only start to give up on proper gooey mud.

That's why good road bike tyres have very little tread.

 

[Globalti]

You're right - my son's Islabike came with slicks and they have been fine in all conditions. I once fitted some knobblies for him and all they did was slow him down. In heavy mud he'd have conked out anyway.

It makes me laugh when I see "what tyre?" threads on MTB forums. There's a lot of bollocks talked about tyres and I believe that probably only the most experienced test rider would be able to detect any difference between different designs.

 

[Joe.R]

Thanks for the replys guys.

So as a Knobbly tyre goes these are one of the better ones for road riding? Im no hardcore mtb rider but will occasionally do some muddy areas and a lot of gravel tracks and canal parths ect.

Im wishing I got something simular to these tho http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Continental_Double_Fighter_II_MTB_Tyre/5360018714/ (are they any good?)

Do you guys suggest I just replace them now or see the winter months out then replace them?

Thanks again

 

[Panter]

As far as knobblies go, I'd say they're one of the better ones but I've never ridden on them so can't comment from experience.
Just going by the picture though, the knobbly bits are pretty small and I doubt you'll get a much faster knobbly than that, not without spending a fair bit of cash.

As far as changing them goes, it just depends if you're happy to continue using them.
Trouble is, you just won't get a tyre that'll do everything. The one you've linked to would, I imagine, be perfect for a bit of loose stuff, towpaths etc but it will struggle in real mud.
Even a knobbly will struggle in mud though, that's why there are specialist mud tyres available and they're extremely good but as Steve Austin says above, they're horrible on the road and they wear out extremely quickly too.

If you're mainly on tarmac with the occasional foray on easy off-road then the ones you've linked to look fine just don't expect to get much traction on the gloopy stuff.
If you're doing a lot more gravel paths etc then I'd stick with the ones you have personally.

 

[Globalti]

For years I've been using a pair of commuter tyres about 1.6 wide with a central ridge. They are fast and light and they work fine in almost all conditions; I used to use them for Polaris events. They are only bad in gravelly conditions where they are skittish. Don't forget that a narrow tyre digs in deeper and finds a firm surface - why do you think a 1960s Series 1 Land Rover on narrow crossplys can out-climb a Range Rover on big fat low-profile tyres in mud or wet grass?

A good fast winter tyre is the Panaracer Fire XC in 1.8 size, on the left in this picture: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Panaracer_Fire_XC_Single_Compound_Tyre/5300004587/

Cheap too.