MTB Slick Tyres - what size tubes

spurscormac

Hi folks,

Just looking for a quick answer on this...

Have a MTB I'm using for the Connemara Adventure Challenge on May 8th.
This is part Forest track, part paved road, so I'm throwing slicks on it to improve speed on the road section.

I already have slick 1.5 inche tyres.
As I'll be buying spare tubes for the race, are there specific tubes I should be getting for these thinner tyres ?
Does the tube size have any impact on the effort required in getting the tube pumped to the correct pressure - ie is it easier with slimmer tubes?

Thanks in advance.

spurscormac

bump...

anyone got the answer to this?

Might take a trip to bike shop on my lunch break, would be handy to be informed before I go in.

kona

26x1.5-2.0 will do.

You should get 80psi into the tyres, so Its just the same if not harder than pumping into a bigger tyre.

You know that you could get a set of XC tyres? If its anyways mucky or wet your screwed.

spurscormac

kona wrote: »

26x1.5-2.0 will do.

You should get 80psi into the tyres, so Its just the same if not harder than pumping into a bigger tyre.

You know that you could get a set of XC tyres? If its anyways mucky or wet your screwed.

Cheers for that - my tyres are rated 65psi, so assume I shouldn't go more than that.
Thinking of heading down there the week before to check out the conditions, if bad I might consider different tyres.

I presume the XC tyres you refer to are something like this:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=18895
or this:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=18826

Obviously, they'll all be much better than knobbly tyres, will they lose some speed on the road though?

seamus

"Forest Track"?

Do you mean a dirt track through a forest (i.e. somewhere that's a path purely because people have walked on it), or a fire road?

As kona says, if it's wet at all, slicks will be useless on a dirt track. They'll work OKish on a fire road. In either case, once you get any speed up you'll be all over the place. Slicks do not react well to loose stones and mud over 20km/h.

Something like this would be more suited to your needs. I can't vouch for this particular tyre, but something slightly wider with tread at the sides will give you stability over dirt tracks, and the "slick" center tread will give you speed on the tarmac.

Edit: The contact reflexes you link to above may work too, but they seem to be designed for scenarios where you're riding 90% on-road and only 10% off-road. If you're going for 50-50, you'll need a little more tread.

kona

spurscormac wrote: »

Cheers for that - my tyres are rated 65psi, so assume I shouldn't go more than that.
Thinking of heading down there the week before to check out the conditions, if bad I might consider different tyres.

I presume the XC tyres you refer to are something like this:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=18895
or this:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=18826

Obviously, they'll all be much better than knobbly tyres, will they lose some speed on the road though?

The second tyre there is the job!

Ye if its rated 65 only go 65. You will need the ground to be quite firm to get away with slicks

spurscormac

Thanks again for replies...

How long do CRC take for delivery if I was to order a pair ?

I assume either the 2nd ones I linked or the ones seamus linked are much of a muchness, trade-off of price v speed, or are the more expensive ones really worth almost twice the price ?

Edit:-
From the Event website, here's the info on what bike to choose.
http://www.gaelforceevents.com/connemara/

The cycling section of the Connemara Adventure Challenge covers two types of terrain; the first is forestry roads, these are rough wide tracks through the forest, the second section of the route covers sealed main roads.
Which type of bike you choose to use is a personal choice. But here is some advice.

* Hybrid - Suitable
* Mountain bike - You can put slick tires on to increase speed on road.
* Cycle cross - Good for both terrains.
* A racer is not suitable for the forestry track.

Thats where I was basing my slicks from, assuming if they were advising hybrids, though a course check may be worthwhile.

kona

spurscormac wrote: »

Thanks again for replies...

How long do CRC take for delivery if I was to order a pair ?

I assume either the 2nd ones I linked or the ones seamus linked are much of a muchness, trade-off of price v speed, or are the more expensive ones really worth almost twice the price ?

Cheap tyres, like cheap bikes are a false economy.

Expect the tyres on thursday/friday if you order now.

seamus

spurscormac wrote: »

How long do CRC take for delivery if I was to order a pair ?

If you ordered tyres within the next two hours, you'll have them either Friday or Monday by my experience. If you order express shipping, you'll have them on Thursday.

I assume either the 2nd ones I linked or the ones seamus linked are much of a muchness, trade-off of price v speed, or are the more expensive ones really worth almost twice the price ?

It's all about specs. The second ones you link to have a Kevlar weave which makes them very puncture resistant. Anti-stab vests are made from Kevlar.

From the Event website, here's the info on what bike to choose.

They recommend cyclo cross bikes there. Here's cyclo cross tyres, just for illustration, which should help you decide what to go for:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/c/cycle/7/Tyres_-_Cyclocross/

Full slicks are a no-no. But it appears to be 50/50 forestry(fire) roads/tarmac so you'll get away with something quite slick.

Looking at the reviews for another version of the tyre you've picked there, I don't think you'll go far wrong with them unless it turns out to be very wet. If the weather is like it is today though, they'll do the job. If you do lose any speed on the fire road, you'll quickly get it back on the road.

spurscormac

Thanks for all the help guys - I've plumbed for the Kevlar Continentals, ordered this morning.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=18826

Working from home next week, so should be there to collect them.

seamus

Best of luck in May!

spurscormac

Delivered today, wow that was fast.

Quick question - I noticed on the tyre wall that it says to mount only on hooked rims - are bog standard MTB rims hooked?

blorg

spurscormac wrote: »

Quick question - I noticed on the tyre wall that it says to mount only on hooked rims - are bog standard MTB rims hooked?

Yes. All standard rims that you find on 99.9% of bikes are hooked. The other type is tubular where you have to glue the tyre on. Trust me, you don't have that :pac: they will be fine.

EDIT: Actually Google informs me that there is an older standard of straight-edged rims that take a clincher but don't hold it so securely. You don't have this either though, it is even deader than tubulars.

The "hook" is the little ridges either side that hold the bead of the tyre secure on the rim under pressure: