Anyone else roll with slick tires?
#1
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Anyone else roll with slick tires?
Aside from the guys on road bikes, those of us on 26"/flat bar bikes usually have thicker, wider tires right?
I did on my Swobo for 1400 miles until I rode the Kenda Kwests into the ground. Those tires could handle about 65-80 psi and were decent, comfortable albeit slow tires.
Now I put on some Specialized Fat Boy slicks- 26" by 1.25 and I think I'm seeing a modest increase in speed because I can inflate them to 100 psi. Definitely a little bit bumpier, but I think it's worth it.
I'm a little more worried about flats, but the tires seem to offer decent protection. I probably can't corner as well now right? Any other effects I should be aware of? Or is the difference overblown.
I did on my Swobo for 1400 miles until I rode the Kenda Kwests into the ground. Those tires could handle about 65-80 psi and were decent, comfortable albeit slow tires.
Now I put on some Specialized Fat Boy slicks- 26" by 1.25 and I think I'm seeing a modest increase in speed because I can inflate them to 100 psi. Definitely a little bit bumpier, but I think it's worth it.
I'm a little more worried about flats, but the tires seem to offer decent protection. I probably can't corner as well now right? Any other effects I should be aware of? Or is the difference overblown.
#2
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a bit overblown, until the wet comes along
awesome bike by the way!
slicks are totally cool!
I particularly like WTB Vulpine 2.1's
last year, the WTB crew coaxed me into a set for my Hunter 29er
and i'll be damned! those tires do rock. they take a bunch of PSI, and have a wide range of use.
at the moment i even have a set on my Big Dummy. they even seem to handle a decent cargo load without any punctures or excessive wear... so far.
awesome bike by the way!
slicks are totally cool!
I particularly like WTB Vulpine 2.1's
last year, the WTB crew coaxed me into a set for my Hunter 29er
and i'll be damned! those tires do rock. they take a bunch of PSI, and have a wide range of use.
at the moment i even have a set on my Big Dummy. they even seem to handle a decent cargo load without any punctures or excessive wear... so far.
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get toe straps or clipless pedals, those will make you alot faster. as for tires, yeah slicks are great and a good deal faster than knoobie tires yet have the same flat protection. just take it easy in couners when its raining, you see sand, railroad tracks, manhole covers or painted roads. so if any of those are wet then slow down alot, otherwise just ride as fast as you can.
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My Trek Valencia has Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase slicks - the key to them being more stable and commuter friendly is that they're 700x32. So far, they've done an amazing job of deflecting road debris and have handled wet commutes pretty well...
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I run Conti Gatorskins 26x1 1/8 slicks on my commuter, a Scott SUB 30. Like you, I ran the Kenda Kwests into the ground, but they were great tires and lasted through a summer of everyday riding. The gatorskins are rated up to 116psi, I run at about that. I've only flatted once having them, and that was due to a faulty tube.
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I would have thought a better question would be "Anyone doesn't roll with slick tires".
Most commuters I see use slicks.
Most commuters I see use slicks.
#8
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I'm not sure how Marathon Racer tires count. I suppose they are fattish slicks with minimal tread. Nice tires. About as tough as the Marathons but lots lighter therefore faster.
#9
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I have some serious love for my 2" Marathon Supremes. Ran my studded tires for 3 days the other week,and couldn't wait to put the Supremes back on. They roll great,handle great,even in rain,zero flats,and after like 2k miles don't show much wear. Def buying another set when these wear down.
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#11
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I also want to put slicks on my new Hardrock and have been looking at either the Specialized Armadillo 1.95 tires (Crossroads, Hemisphere) or the Continental Town and Country Tire 2.1, does anyone use either of these tires? I want something that retains the look of the current mountain bikes tires which are 2.0 but are faster than the stock tires.
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I ride a set of Vredestein Fortezza SE Road Tires on my commuter.
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I just ordered a set of Armadillo all weather slicks with reflective sidewall.
Normally ride with 28's, I'll try the 25's for test.
Normally ride with 28's, I'll try the 25's for test.
Last edited by Bat22; 03-17-09 at 09:52 AM.
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nice bike / nice tires
here's mine
here's mine
#16
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D2, how do you like those? I was noticing those on the Riv site, and they looked interesting...a heck of a lot better than the shoes I'm running now.
To answer your question, I don't have slicks, but the surface is slick, if that makes sense (they're back-cut into the tire, not knobbed tires).
#17
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Slicks are just better all the way around unless you're riding in slush, ice or slime.
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It's all right here from Sheldon Brown himself....
"Tread for on-road use"
"Tread for on-road use"
"Bicycle tires for on-road use have no need of any sort of tread features; in fact, the best road tires are perfectly smooth, with no tread at all!
Unfortunately, most people assume that a smooth tire will be slippery, so this type of tire is difficult to sell to unsophisticated cyclists. Most tire makers cater to this by putting a very fine pattern on their tires, mainly for cosmetic and marketing reasons. If you examine a section of asphalt or concrete, you'll see that the texture of the road itself is much "knobbier" than the tread features of a good quality road tire. Since the tire is flexible, even a slick tire deforms as it comes into contact with the pavement, acquiring the shape of the pavement texture, only while incontact with the road. People ask, "But don't slick tires get slippery on wet roads, or worse yet, wet metal features such as expansion joints, paint stripes, or railroad tracks?" The answer is, yes, they do. So do tires with tread. All tires are slippery in these conditions. Tread features make no improvement in this."
Unfortunately, most people assume that a smooth tire will be slippery, so this type of tire is difficult to sell to unsophisticated cyclists. Most tire makers cater to this by putting a very fine pattern on their tires, mainly for cosmetic and marketing reasons. If you examine a section of asphalt or concrete, you'll see that the texture of the road itself is much "knobbier" than the tread features of a good quality road tire. Since the tire is flexible, even a slick tire deforms as it comes into contact with the pavement, acquiring the shape of the pavement texture, only while incontact with the road. People ask, "But don't slick tires get slippery on wet roads, or worse yet, wet metal features such as expansion joints, paint stripes, or railroad tracks?" The answer is, yes, they do. So do tires with tread. All tires are slippery in these conditions. Tread features make no improvement in this."
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i run Botranger Hardcases and have never had a flat since i bought them. I ride a FG so the wet isn't as scary because i always have control
#20
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I knew I should have looked at Sheldon Brown for an answer to this question first!
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Hi Sonoma76, that's a really cool bike.
I now run Conti 26" X 1.3 slicks at 80psi on my Bridgestone MB5. Previously, I used the 26" X 1.6 but after switching to the 1.3, there's no going back. I also use Shimano clipless pedals.
Wet roads/rainy days generally do not pose a problem. However, there was one time on a rainy day I was changing lanes and had to brake hard to avoid a motorist who suddenly switched lanes right in front of me. My back tyre was astride the white line and it kicked out from under as it lost traction. But the front end was on asphalt so it was okay.
Just thought I'd mention it....
Safe riding, all !
I now run Conti 26" X 1.3 slicks at 80psi on my Bridgestone MB5. Previously, I used the 26" X 1.6 but after switching to the 1.3, there's no going back. I also use Shimano clipless pedals.
Wet roads/rainy days generally do not pose a problem. However, there was one time on a rainy day I was changing lanes and had to brake hard to avoid a motorist who suddenly switched lanes right in front of me. My back tyre was astride the white line and it kicked out from under as it lost traction. But the front end was on asphalt so it was okay.
Just thought I'd mention it....
Safe riding, all !
#22
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I also want to put slicks on my new Hardrock and have been looking at either the Specialized Armadillo 1.95 tires (Crossroads, Hemisphere) or the Continental Town and Country Tire 2.1, does anyone use either of these tires? I want something that retains the look of the current mountain bikes tires which are 2.0 but are faster than the stock tires.
If you want fat tires that'll fly,spend the dosh on Marathon Supremes. Def worth it. If they're too rich for your blood,Big Apples are heavier but cheaper. If you want some tread,Serfas Drifters are very similar to T&C's,but do have puncture protection,and can be had with reflective sidewalls. I've used them in 1.5" and was very happy with them.
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Maxxis Colombiere 26"x1.3 on my Scott Sub 20, Panaracer Tserv Messenger 26"x1.25 on my Specialized Hardrock, and Marathon Racers on my Dahon Mu P24.
All slicks, all good. Love it. The Panaracer has decent wet grip and puncture protection. Marathon Racers too. The Maxxis less so for both.
All slicks, all good. Love it. The Panaracer has decent wet grip and puncture protection. Marathon Racers too. The Maxxis less so for both.
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I like the looks of 2" slicks. They more closely match the look of original MTB tires. Plus they're fun. Mine only got up to 60 lbs but they are plenty hard and fast.
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So far so good. I had Panaracer Pasela Tourguards before and those were awesome and I believe Panaracer makes these for Riv. I've got almost 1000 miles on these so far and they roll real nice and seem fairly flat resistant so far, but always use mr tuffy tire liners just in case. I keep them pumped to around 60psi. On one of my first rides I got a huge staple stuck in the tire but i think the tire liner deflected it so I didn't flat, i just heard it on each tire revolution and had to pull over to yank it out. I'd recommend them if you don't mind the tan sidewalls.