Slicks on a mountain bike?

[Sara_H]

Hi All, just got a myka elite, and love it!

Initiall I was going to keep my Dawes Sonoran for commuting etc and use the Myka for the rough stuff - however - the myka is so muc lighter and I'm finding it so much easier to tackle the hill that I live at the top of on the Myka.

I'm considering getting a set of slick tyres, (maybe even a spare set of wheels) so that I can have the slicks for out and about - then change to the knobblies as and when neceserry.

Is this a silly idea?

Any advice on which tyre etc?

 

[Strick]

I've got Schwalbe Silento 2's on mine, and have to say they feel much, much better on road than the standard knobblies did.

 

[Friz]

I swap between knobbies and Schwalbe 2.0 Kojaks. Defo invest in the spare set of wheels though. The 10 minute swap time can get tidious...

 

[Sara_H]

Can I ask a very stupid question?

The knobblies are Specialized The Captain Sport, 26x2.0", Looking on line, the slicks seem to come in lots of different widths - how do I find one that will exactly fit mine?

 

[marinyork]

Can I ask a very stupid question?

The knobblies are Specialized The Captain Sport, 26x2.0", Looking on line, the slicks seem to come in lots of different widths - how do I find one that will exactly fit mine?

On your wheel will be stamped a little number like 622-17 for race bikes. There will be a number for the different MTB diameter. This refers to the internal width of the rim.

You can put on various widths of tyres on that go with the internal rim width. So for example without knowing what your rim width is you can probably put 1.75, 2.0 and 2.2 inch tyres on (not saying that's definitely the case).

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Can I ask a very stupid question?

The knobblies are Specialized The Captain Sport, 26x2.0", Looking on line, the slicks seem to come in lots of different widths - how do I find one that will exactly fit mine?

This will tell you all you need to know and a whole lot more besides

 

[marinyork]

This will tell you all you need to know and a whole lot more besides

Sheldon says himself that the 1.4-1.8 thing isn't universally agreed (and is conservative), but I've always found it to be fine.

 

[NormanD]

Try These I had them on mine, they're fast rolling and extremely puncture resistant

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Sheldon says himself that the 1.4-1.8 thing isn't universally agreed (and is conservative), but I've always found it to be fine.

The lowest I have run on my rims is 1.75 but I know people who run 1.5's. I would want narrower rims to go any smaller 1.0 is the smallest 26" I believe.

 

[lejogger]

I've got 26" x 1.3 Continental Sport Contacts on my mtb, but you can get a 1.6... oh and tri-bars as well! Only ever had one punture in over 2,000 road miles and that was a pinch going over a massive stone (brick). They made a massive difference to my road speed even in comparison to the specialized Nimbus I had before.

EDIT: If you're getting a spare set of wheels you could even run a racing block to give you smoother shifting for the road.

 

[marinyork]

The lowest I have run on my rims is 1.75 but I know people who run 1.5's. I would want narrower rims to go any smaller 1.0 is the smallest 26" I believe.

I've run tyres at a ratio of 1.8. Also done close to 1.4

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I've run tyres at a ratio of 1.8. Also done close to 1.4

I guess it's personal choice. Possibly like using inner tubes too small or too large for your tyres. They work but may cause problems.

 

[Sara_H]

Oh dear, I'm sorry - you've all gone completely over my head.

I'm not very technical I'm afraid.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Oh dear, I'm sorry - you've all gone completely over my head.

I'm not very technical I'm afraid.

If you buy 26" 1.75 slick tyres you will be absolutely fine

 

[marinyork]

I guess it's personal choice. Possibly like using inner tubes too small or too large for your tyres. They work but may cause problems.

Sheldon deals with both of those issues. I prefer smaller ratios these days and have a hunch a lot of the notorious marathon plus problems were with the bigger ratios.