SoreFeet

I just ordered a set of Michelin slicks...21$ a pop...so hope they work good. I was going to get the more premium light weight model but I figured the standard is good.

1.4 size...I thought that was interesting. I am sure they will work on my older rims, but I wonder if a 2 inch slick would have been better.

Listed weight is 420A$ grams...which is lighter than most mtb tires.

I can't wait to mount them and ride them. I honestly think overized mtb tires and steel tubing is on another level of comfort for affordable vintage bikes.
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My Centurion with Tange #1 it's a bone shaker compared to the True Temper OX tubing on the old Fisher frame.

So far I think drop bar MTB conversions are a perfect balance of steel frame comfort and stiffness. It's certainly less flexy than the Tange bike...but that has nothing to do with quality...it's simply a matter of design.

I like the weight penalty in exchange for comfort... Why didn't I do this sooner? I can now ride 20 miles with good comfort, much less back problems and the top tube stem combo is nearly identical in lengths to the road bike frame.

I think it's the tire diamter. It's awesome...can't wait to rock the slicks this weekend.

TiHabanero

Had Continental Avenues on a drop bar conversion used in the 90's. They were 1.75 and stuck like glue when railing the corners. Yes drop bar conversions work nicely!

3speedslow

I was surprised when I pulled some MTB slicks out of the box and found out they were 1.3. Totally did not know that, or forgot!

due ruote 

I love my Prestige Stumpy with 1.75 Paselas. Very comfortable and surprisingly quick.

Recently put some Schwalbe Kojacks on the tandem. Around 2" iirc. So far so good.

KonAaron Snake 

Finally killed my Panaracer pt tg 1.5s. There was a sale on conti contact sports - what riv calls the basketball tire. So far like them...definitely nicer riding than the panaracers, but I'm not sure on durability yet.

Dare I ask what saddle you're running?

thumpism 

Specialized Fat Boy 1.95s on my Cimarron. These are true slicks; less tread than a pool ball. Drop bars coming.
1_Cimarron profile.jpg

SoreFeet

The saddle is an on going conflict. I tried the Brooks Flyer...my butt sagged into the metal, it felt like a sofa, but my bones were sore. I had a San Marco copper rivet mounted...

But now I'm going to try a Fizik...it matches the white centurion so well so I think I have to include it when I sell the bike.

I also have a crusty Cionoli...titanium saddle...I think I mispelled that a bit. but it's basically hard plastic with no padding. I glued a leather top to it...left it out in the rain and it shrunk like an antique baseball glove all crusty.

Ironically this addle despite lack of pads is fairly comfy. I do believe I am honestly going to go the ultimate dork route and go fetch the vintage Avocet touring if it is still at the co op...and I'll demand a cheap price since I had to re-do my shift cables that I paid them for.

KonAaron Snake 

Nothing dorky about those avocets...great saddles.

danmyersmn

26" 1.4? Where did you find them. I had a hard time finding anything narrower than 1.75

frantik

Compass tires are the best 26" slicks

The Golden Boy 

Bear. <--- Aaron.

SoreFeet

Compass tires are just re-badged Panaracers with a different tread. I could just get Pasela.

I think the casing is kind of weak on those tires...be it Pasella or Compass branded Panaracers.

I think at 20$ a pop I'm comfy. I mean I could have six tires for the price of two Compass tires. My riding is going to be mostly all rode, very little gravel if any.


The Panaracer Ribmo or T-Serv is much more suited to my needs. The fancy boutique tires don't interest me one bit. I don't care how good they are, at the end of the day it's the weakest Panaracer casing of the lineup at a premium price.

What is especially funny for me is to think many years ago...these tan walled, supple casing tires were more or less a standard item at your everyday bike shop for pretty cheap prices.

Then the blogs and shills come out...take an everyday tire for the average joe and make it a premium luxury.

Sixty dollar bicycle tires better have a mileage warranty and be pro rated like an automobile tire...Hell if they do that I'll buy em. Until then...screw Compass, Grand Bois and any these boutique tire hucksters.

I can get along just fine knowing my tire doesn't have the lousy Panaracer casing which is prone to splits, cracks and premature wear.

clubman 

The worlds gone mad. Road bikes with fatties, mtn bikes with skinnys.
My contribution. A big shop in my area moved a couple of years ago and I got into the basement for a vintage look-see. Got 2 RM-20's, and RM-17 and a Ritchie Rock for $10 apiece (hooray!)

Also picked up a pair of 1" Tom Slicks. Also $10. You can just see them mounted on the RM-20s, not inflated but pretty small what? The Rock is a beautiful rim, machined sidewalls with 'Triple Box Construction' whatever that is. Made in Italy, retailed for $90 cdn. Maybe made by Ambrosia. So I too may jump on the drop bar express someday soon.

gomango

Probably true, but I tried the 1.4s Aaron was talking about on my ParkPre.

I bought the bike for $25, so I don't think $75 per tire is a good plan.

Pics when finished......

Gotta love garage sales. This should be a fun, cheap project. Wonder how much tire I can fit? by gomango1849, on Flickr

SoreFeet

If you can get into the hubs of the Park Pre bike...get those fixed up...the Exage hubs are okay when serviced...a little grinding maybe, if the cones aren't too shot, use some light weight grease and uprgade the bearings with new.

It looks like your headtube is standard. My Fisher conversion has a 1 1/8th threaded headset, sadly I couldn't use the Technomic stem because the quill wasnt wide enough.

due ruote 

Another way to look at it you could fit it with RTP tires and still be under $200. Sweet bike btw.

fietsbob

these are slick down the center.. I've changed to marathon Plus, since

WB Bicycle Gallery: Robert Clark's Koga Miyata WTR

toavii

I've ridden cheap tires and more expensive tires. As a general rule, I'm not wasting any more time or money on cheap tires. One of the few things that will quickly change your bike IMO. And a big reason why I'll avoid any 27in tire bikes going forward as the best option is a Pasela.

BTW Grady, offer still stands if you want to see if that Park Pre will clear RTP. I still want to see that bike anyway. Ha

The Golden Boy 

I've got 2 sets of Compass and more than several sets of Paselas. Not the same.


And I really love my Brooks Cambium saddles.

KonAaron Snake 

ApolloSoyuz1975

They might be the Michelin Wild Run'r 1.4s. I have a pair on a Fuji folder that I just resurrected.

Velocivixen

Kenda Kwest comes in 26" x 1.1. They came stock on my recumbent.

frantik

not saying you gotta buy em but if you end up really liking the bike, I promise you they are worth the investment. I have ridden a lot of slicks on mtbs and they are the nicest you can buy. But any kind of slick is going to be a big improvement over knobbies if you do any significant amount of riding on paved roads

danmyersmn

Awesome, thank you for the info.

Velocivixen

@danmyersmn - here's a link to a site that sells mostly recumbent stuff. They have a lot of 26" x 1" & slightly wider tires. Schwalbe "Durango", Primo "Comet", etc. Hope this helps.

https://hostelshoppe.com/%28559mm%29...x1-Tire-82546/