putting road tires on mountain bike
08-05-12, 10:44 PM
#1
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putting road tires on mountain bike
hello folks,
I have a fairly old gt rebound all terra with velociraptor 26x2.1 tires. these days I am spending more and more time on my bike in the city, and so I would like to switch to something less knobby.
my question is, even though my current tires are x2.1, what width range am i safe buying for my road tires?
thanks!!
I have a fairly old gt rebound all terra with velociraptor 26x2.1 tires. these days I am spending more and more time on my bike in the city, and so I would like to switch to something less knobby.
my question is, even though my current tires are x2.1, what width range am i safe buying for my road tires?
thanks!!
08-05-12, 11:03 PM
#2
Quick & dirty answer: 1.25" or larger is a safe bet for typical XC-width rims. If your GT's rims are a bit wider than a typical XC rim, start with 1.5".
I've used the Velociraptors and don't blame you for wanting something else for city use. The tall knob height doesn't make for the greatest cornering performance on pavement. If you want something with low-profile, dense tread that will handle a bit of gravel and easier trails, these are available in both 2" and 1.6": https://bontrager.com/model/08058 I have the 2.0" on my utility mountain bike, they're all right for a budget tire.
If you want a more road-only tire, the Panaracer Pasela family are worth a look.
I've used the Velociraptors and don't blame you for wanting something else for city use. The tall knob height doesn't make for the greatest cornering performance on pavement. If you want something with low-profile, dense tread that will handle a bit of gravel and easier trails, these are available in both 2" and 1.6": https://bontrager.com/model/08058 I have the 2.0" on my utility mountain bike, they're all right for a budget tire.
If you want a more road-only tire, the Panaracer Pasela family are worth a look.
08-06-12, 12:16 AM
#3
Really Old Senior Member
I wouldn't have a problem saying 1.25" without seeing your rim.
08-06-12, 02:03 AM
#5
Senior Member
But it's not only rim width to be concerned with. With thinner tires you need to be really good at bunnyhopping curbs, potholes and whatnot and/or run the pressure at the high side if you want to avoid pinch flats. 1.1" on a bike with panniers was pretty sketchy. Not for the weight as such, but b/c you can't just make a bike like that go light enough to bounce over curbs.
08-06-12, 07:17 PM
#8
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When I decided to put different tires on my MTB, I went with Michelin City tires. They worked very well for commuting and riding on-road vs. the MTB tires that were originally on the bike. This bike now has its MTB tires back on it.
My Rapid 3 has Kenda Kwest tires on it (they're 700x28c, but there are 26" versions of the tires), and I highly recommend those as well.
My Rapid 3 has Kenda Kwest tires on it (they're 700x28c, but there are 26" versions of the tires), and I highly recommend those as well.
08-06-12, 07:41 PM
#9
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I would definetly go with the serfas, it's usually cheaper than the continental and I had way more punctures with my continental then with my serfas.
08-06-12, 08:59 PM
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+1
But it's not only rim width to be concerned with. With thinner tires you need to be really good at bunnyhopping curbs, potholes and whatnot and/or run the pressure at the high side if you want to avoid pinch flats. 1.1" on a bike with panniers was pretty sketchy. Not for the weight as such, but b/c you can't just make a bike like that go light enough to bounce over curbs.
But it's not only rim width to be concerned with. With thinner tires you need to be really good at bunnyhopping curbs, potholes and whatnot and/or run the pressure at the high side if you want to avoid pinch flats. 1.1" on a bike with panniers was pretty sketchy. Not for the weight as such, but b/c you can't just make a bike like that go light enough to bounce over curbs.
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08-06-12, 09:02 PM
#11
Really Old Senior Member
I initially had the Serfas drifters in a 1.5" on my grocery getter.
Nothing wrong with them, but when I switched to 1.25", it made the Serfas feel like slugs.
The Serfas are a 65 PSI tire, while the 1.25" are 100 PSI.
You do need to top them off more frequently, but I have to do that anyway on my Hybrid with the 120 PSI I run on its' 26MM tires.
Nothing wrong with them, but when I switched to 1.25", it made the Serfas feel like slugs.
The Serfas are a 65 PSI tire, while the 1.25" are 100 PSI.
You do need to top them off more frequently, but I have to do that anyway on my Hybrid with the 120 PSI I run on its' 26MM tires.
08-06-12, 10:54 PM
#12
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08-06-12, 11:21 PM
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08-13-12, 07:11 AM
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thanks you guys for all the advice. It really helped out.
I slapped on some serfas drifters and so far I can't complain (though I think i made the mistake of getting them a little too wide).
I slapped on some serfas drifters and so far I can't complain (though I think i made the mistake of getting them a little too wide).
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