Bike Tire question

[everman]

It's been a while since I've used my mountain bike and I'm not a bike expert whatsoever, but the weather's nice so I'd like to put some good tires on that are good for a combination of on/off road.

So if the tires I have now are 26 x 2.10 dimension, what size range should work? Would a 26x2.0 be ok?

edit: ok I just answered my question myself...but another one: Would a combination of a fatter/thinner tire in front or back be something to consider?

 

[ScoobMaster]

Not sure about the different thicknesses front/rear, but I ride mine mostly on paved trails and light gravel campground trails. The semi-slick Kenda Cross tires work great for that (about $15 each at nashbar.com)

*Edit* to link and fix price (went off sale )

 

[OffTopic1]

It should be okay, or get the correct tubes (around $5) if it a concern.

It doesn't matter what tire size you have because they all roll, however riding comfort and handling depends on the pattern & size.

Slick/thin tires for street, knobby/wide for offroad/muddy trail.

Your description of riding suggests that you might have gravel to deal with, therefore a medium or fat tire will do the trick. You don?t really need big knobby because you are not going to see much mud, but it doesn?t hurt to have it.

Speed wise isn?t much different between tires. However, the extreme slick vs. XL tire knobby is about 5kph different in speed on pave road which is a lot when most people average about 35 kph.

 

[Mr N8]

I would go with matching tires, especially if you are doing more on-road or crushed gravel paths. Honestly, I would get 2 sets. I've got 1 for MTB trails and a set of slicks for streets. It makes a big difference, and it only takes about 15-20 minutes for me to change them both.

 

[everman]

Ya that's the kind of riding I'll be doing for the most part, thanks for the reccomendation.

Not sure about the different thicknesses front/rear, but I ride mine mostly on paved trails and light gravel campground trails. The semi-slick KENDA KROSS tores work great for that (about $10 each at nashbar.com)

 

[loic2003]

decent road and offroad tyres are so completely different I don't think going for some hybrid is worth it. They're a pain on tarmac and just not very grippy off road. By two sets of tyres and spend the ~15 mins swapping them over when you're planning on off/on-road riding.
Or buy two sets of wheels (higher-geared cassette for the road tyres) so you can swap over in ~4 mins.

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: loic2003
decent road and offroad tyres are so completely different I don't think going for some hybrid is worth it. They're a pain on tarmac and just not very grippy off road. By two sets of tyres and spend the ~15 mins swapping them over when you're planning on off/on-road riding.
Or buy two sets of wheels (higher-geared cassette for the road tyres) so you can swap over in ~4 mins.

You don't think something like the Kenda Kross would work out too well? The thing is that I'm more likely to go on road and some light off road in the same trip.

 

[OffTopic1]

Originally posted by: everman

Originally posted by: loic2003
decent road and offroad tyres are so completely different I don't think going for some hybrid is worth it. They're a pain on tarmac and just not very grippy off road. By two sets of tyres and spend the ~15 mins swapping them over when you're planning on off/on-road riding.
Or buy two sets of wheels (higher-geared cassette for the road tyres) so you can swap over in ~4 mins.

You don't think something like the Kenda Kross would work out too well? The thing is that I'm more likely to go on road and some light off road in the same trip.

Get mediun size tires with small knobby/tread for all purpose.

Also the tire sizes depend on the rim width that you have, however it is okay to exceed the manufacture recomendation abit.

 

[GZDynastar]

2.1's are pretty heavy.. just get 1.9 cross country tires if your just going road/gravel riding.

I have 2.1 Tioga Down Hills and they weigh a ton. (sadly i want 2.3 or 2.5's)

 

[loic2003]

Originally posted by: everman

Originally posted by: loic2003
decent road and offroad tyres are so completely different I don't think going for some hybrid is worth it. They're a pain on tarmac and just not very grippy off road. By two sets of tyres and spend the ~15 mins swapping them over when you're planning on off/on-road riding.
Or buy two sets of wheels (higher-geared cassette for the road tyres) so you can swap over in ~4 mins.

You don't think something like the Kenda Kross would work out too well? The thing is that I'm more likely to go on road and some light off road in the same trip.

Yeah, I guess so... if it's just for mild off-roading (no mud) then they'll be ok. Dirt cheap anyway so you can't really lose. Give them a bash.

I've got proper slicks for my mountain bike and they work really well on a gritty cycle track I go on. I just soften the suspension level a bit for the potholes and it's fine. No need for hybrids/off-road tyres. I feel confident doing 25mph+ downhill and braking with the slicks.