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Tires for commute on mountain bike?

  • 29-07-2013 04:16PM
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 734 ✭✭✭


    I've a old mountain bike that works fine. I'm going to be cycling from Tallaght village into Trinity 5 days a week come Sept. What tires would you recommend. The bike will not be used ever off road. It's an 18 speed cheap enough no suspension bike. I was wanting tires that would make it easiest to bike in and out. And other ideas to make commute nicer? Beside get fitter lol. I'm playing alot of squash so I'm fit just not been on bike much at all. I'll get mud guards too. I like the idea of some colourful tires, slicks, they'd be funky on bike and help me be seen.


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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,036 ✭✭✭Surveyor11


    Scwalbe Marathon Plus - slick and puncture resistant.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 734 ✭✭✭abceire


    Any ones in general? Are they same to fit as a usual tire? Plus would it be worth buying decent break blocks? I think I just bought cheap ones last time and they're pretty bad.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 499 ✭✭✭stiofan85


    Surveyor11 wrote: »
    Scwalbe Marathon Plus - slick and puncture resistant.

    I've had Schwalbe Marathon Plus on the front wheel for about 3 years now and I honestly can't remember the last time I had a puncture (if any). It's starting to wear out now, but I'll ride it until it goes out!

    I replaced the rear one with the same model after it wore out about a year ago, and I believe I've only had one puncture on it. Only punctures I got on the old one were when it wore out.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24542

    I believe I have the 26x1.75 and cycle it every day through Dublin.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,489 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    abceire wrote: »
    I like the idea of some colourful tires, slicks, they'd be funky on bike and help me be seen.

    Black tyres have more grip.


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 4,162 Mod ✭✭✭✭Planet X


    stiofan85 wrote: »
    I've had Schwalbe Marathon Plus on the front wheel for about 3 years now and I honestly can't remember the last time I had a puncture (if any). It's starting to wear out now, but I'll ride it until it goes out!

    I replaced the rear one with the same model after it wore out about a year ago, and I believe I've only had one puncture on it. Only punctures I got on the old one were when it wore out.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24542

    I believe I have the 26x1.75 and cycle it every day through Dublin.

    Same here. Run 26 X 1.75's Marathon Originals and haven't had a flat since I put them on last approx October. Commute every day and the odd small "excursion" down the country.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 734 ✭✭✭abceire


    and they same as any other tire to put on?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,126 ✭✭✭Jacovs


    With regards to this: I have a mountain bike with offroad tyres, 26x2.1. I only really cycle on road to work 5 days a week. How much time would be saved (on a 30 minute cycle) by putting on slicker tyres? Want to know if its worth the money since theres nothing wrong with my current tyres.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,201 ✭✭✭manwithaplan


    abceire wrote: »
    and they same as any other tire to put on?

    They have a reputation for being hard to get on but I suspect the wider ones for MTB wheels should be fine.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,489 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    They have a reputation for being hard to get on but I suspect the wider ones for MTB wheels should be fine.

    Yes.

    I have Marathon Winter in 700c and 26", and there's no comparison - 26" ones are much easier to fit.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 95 ✭✭MrScootch


    Jacovs wrote: »
    With regards to this: I have a mountain bike with offroad tyres, 26x2.1. I only really cycle on road to work 5 days a week. How much time would be saved (on a 30 minute cycle) by putting on slicker tyres? Want to know if its worth the money since theres nothing wrong with my current tyres.

    Yes it's worth it. You'd be shocked at the difference.

    Schwalbe CityJet's are my recommendation.
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24629

    Marathons are overkill IMHO, they're heavy, have a reputation for being hard to get on or off and a harsh ride. More money too.

    Kool Stop brake pads are very good, and if you want colours have a search for Halo Twin Rail tyres.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,126 ✭✭✭Jacovs


    Just one more question, and hope this helps the OP too.
    Whats the thinnest tyre you can put on the "normal" rims you get with a mountain bike?

    I notice there are 1.35 , 1.50 , 1.75 in the first link, and 1.50 and 1.95 in the second link. Which would be best/advisable?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,489 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    Jacovs wrote: »
    Just one more question, and hope this helps the OP too.
    Whats the thinnest tyre you can put on the "normal" rims you get with a mountain bike?

    I notice there are 1.35 , 1.50 , 1.75 in the first link, and 1.50 and 1.95 in the second link. Which would be best/advisable?

    I've put 1.1" tyres on my mountain bike with no problems.

    They were Schwalbe Duranos.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,842 ✭✭✭Micilin Muc


    Jacovs wrote: »
    With regards to this: I have a mountain bike with offroad tyres, 26x2.1. I only really cycle on road to work 5 days a week. How much time would be saved (on a 30 minute cycle) by putting on slicker tyres? Want to know if its worth the money since theres nothing wrong with my current tyres.

    I saved a few minutes on my journey when I fitted Schwalbe slicks (think they're marathon). Definitely worth it, but I haven't tried them on wet or icy roads yet :eek:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,126 ✭✭✭Jacovs


    I saved a few minutes on my journey when I fitted Schwalbe slicks (think they're marathon). Definitely worth it, but I haven't tried them on wet or icy roads yet :eek:

    Now is probably good a time as any to try out new tyres then, get used to them before the proper rain starts. Can always go back to the offroads if needed for extra grip. Although, probably need a fall before realising you need to switch back. Have to get mudguards tomorrow anyways so might aswell have a look at some tyres too.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 95 ✭✭MrScootch


    Lumen wrote: »
    I've put 1.1" tyres on my mountain bike with no problems.

    They were Schwalbe Duranos.

    I've used 1.0 before, Specialized All Condition Pro II's but argh; like riding on rocks! I didn't find them that quick either. You'd think the thinnest tyre would be fastest because you see really thin ones on road bikes but apparently it's a flexible side-wall that makes a tyre have less rolling resistance.

    These days I like a fat slick for soaking up the potholes.
    I'd go for a medium or fatter size.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 95 ✭✭MrScootch


    Jacovs wrote: »
    Now is probably good a time as any to try out new tyres then, get used to them before the proper rain starts. Can always go back to the offroads if needed for extra grip. Although, probably need a fall before realising you need to switch back. Have to get mudguards tomorrow anyways so might aswell have a look at some tyres too.

    Road tyres for the road, wet or dry.
    Save the knobblies for the mud.
    For ice; take the bus.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 734 ✭✭✭abceire


    Interesting and helpful peeps, looking forward to spending a few pound on the bike to make it bit easier to use. Cheers.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 848 ✭✭✭mirv


    Forget marathon pluses unless you're steering directly into potholes, thorns, glass, nails or road debris on purpose. They're painfully slow and heavy in 700x25, never mind in wide 26" sizes.

    Marathons should be enough, but even lighter slicks combined with good riding habits and tyre cleaning (picking glass/stones out) habits will trump having a tougher tyre.

    If you're commuting you should know which potholes to avoid already anyway, either that or you're a sucker for punishment.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 734 ✭✭✭abceire


    So what about width? I looked at the off road tires on the bike they're 26 by 2.1 on the front and 26 by 2 on the back.
    Will the wheel I have on now dictate what width of tire I put on? Meaning how narrow can I go ? Is narrow better for rolling but less nice for comfort? All so the valve I have on my tubes is the big old style that you can pump up with the air in a petrol station. Will this valve fit thru the tires you guys mentioned? Should I have front and back tires the same? Or would a more slick tire be for the back and something with threads for the front?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,614 ✭✭✭JMcL


    abceire wrote: »
    So what about width? I looked at the off road tires on the bike they're 26 by 2.1 on the front and 26 by 2 on the back.
    Will the wheel I have on now dictate what width of tire I put on? Meaning how narrow can I go ? Is narrow better for rolling but less nice for comfort? All so the valve I have on my tubes is the big old style that you can pump up with the air in a petrol station. Will this valve fit thru the tires you guys mentioned? Should I have front and back tires the same? Or would a more slick tire be for the back and something with threads for the front?

    The width will determine the pressure you need to put in - the wider the tire, the lower the pressure. For example 23mm road tires would be in the 110-120psi range give or take, 2.2in mountain bike tires are probably about 45psi of the top of my head.

    Your rims will dictate the minimum width tire you can put on, but as others have said they've run 1" and 1.1" tires on MTB rims. I'd probably personally go wider than that for a bit of comfort though. I fitted a set of 1.5" slicks to an old MTB I knock around on with the kids seat fitted and it made a huge difference to rolling resistance, so I'd say 1.3 to 1.6" are a happy medium.

    See here for probably more on the subject than you ever wanted to know.

    The valve will have no bearing on tire choice - it only goes through the rim (you probably will need new tubes though for the narrower tires). For an on road commute, just dispense with the knobbly tires. They're only of benefit offroad, and are actually less grippy on hard surfaces (see here)


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 734 ✭✭✭abceire


    The valve will have no bearing on tire choice - it only goes through the rim. Now that I should have remembered.!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,408 ✭✭✭studiorat


    Pumping them up to the proper pressure will make much more of a difference than if they are slicks or off-road tires.

    Maxxis Crossmark at 60psi roll just as well the Schwalbe city tires, better even. I don't reckon the difference is worth changing over.

    Get the saddle height and handlebars right and keep the chain and drivetrain well serviced. It'll make much more of a difference.

    If you do bother getting tires get the narrowest possible. The narrower the tire generally them more pressure you can get in there.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,158 ✭✭✭robertxxx


    I'm surprised nobody has tried to convince you to get a road bike.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 734 ✭✭✭abceire


    Ah I'll be leaving it around town, so happy to have cheap bike no one will rob and if they do it's no great loss.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 734 ✭✭✭abceire


    I pumped my old off road tires up to 50psi, what a difference! They were at 20psi though. It was great. I think a bell is needed yesterday, I cycled from Rathmines just to Trinity yesterday and nearly got in an accident 3 times, journey only took 10 mins.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 885 ✭✭✭oinkely


    Schwalbe city jets - been using the 26 * 1.5 ones since 2003 on the commuter bike. very few punctures, long life and quick enough.

    Wouldn't use anything else.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 558 ✭✭✭wobbles-grogan


    The bike is super handy for getting around town alright!


  • Posts: 12,708 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Continental sport contacts, fastest tyre I tested by far. Pumped to 100 psi.

    They are slick but I've never fallen once or got a puncture.

    These tyres made my old tyres feel like I was pulling a load behind me.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 106 ✭✭jgreene83


    Totally agree with Mad Lad, have sport contacts on my Scott Scale 80, very low rolling resistance and virtually bullet proof, cycled over glass, jagged gravel etc and no punctures. I've since gotten a racer and one of my friends easily kept up with me on the Scott at around 30 km/hr.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,000 ✭✭✭Stone Deaf 4evr


    those schwalbe city jets from crc are a bargain at that price.


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