Road tyres on MTB - which one?

Hi,

What is the best road tyre for my Raleigh Tigershark? I think it has 26 x 1.95 MTB tyres on now. I
want to swap for road tyres but want to know the smallest size I can get away with, I am getting
conflicting views,

Some recon I can not get any narrower than what is on there, which is
1.95", some think I can get away with 1.5" width, some recon only way is to change the wheel.

Any feedback greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Jag Mann

 

Jag Mann wrote:
> Hi,
>
> What is the best road tyre for my Raleigh Tigershark? I think it has 26 x 1.95 MTB tyres on now. I
> want to swap for road tyres but want to know the smallest size I can get away with, I am getting
> conflicting views,
>
> Some recon I can not get any narrower than what is on there, which is
> 1.95", some think I can get away with 1.5" width, some recon only way is to change the wheel.
>
> Any feedback greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jag Mann

Have a look at Schwalbe City Jets

--
-Alex

----------------------------------
[email protected] www.westerleycycling.org.uk http://alexpg.ath.cx:3353/cycling.php
----------------------------------

 

I have just put Specialized Turbo Pro MTB tyres on my bike for this Rome to the Dome ride. I haven't
needed to change rims and the tyres measure in at 26 x 1.00. I have found no problems with these.

Gadget

 

"Jag Mann" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
>
> What is the best road tyre for my Raleigh Tigershark? I think it has 26 x 1.95 MTB tyres on now. I
> want to swap for road tyres but want to know the smallest size I can get away with, I am getting
> conflicting views,
>
> Some recon I can not get any narrower than what is on there, which is
> 1.95", some think I can get away with 1.5" width, some recon only way is to change the wheel.

I use Panaracer Pasela 1.25" on 22mm (Mavic 221) rims, I have also used Specialised Fatboy 1.5" on
the 221 rims, Trek "Matrix" rims and some other (Alesa?), wider rims. The Paselas have Kevlar beads
and are not cheap (£17ish each), the Fatboys were a b*stard to get on and off the Matrix rims but
not so bad with the
221s.

Pete

 

Jag Mann wrote:
> What is the best road tyre for my Raleigh Tigershark?

What are the rims? They should have make/model/size on the labels.

> I think it has 26 x 1.95 MTB tyres on now. I want to swap for road tyres but want to know the
> smallest size I can get away with, I am getting conflicting views,
>
> Some recon I can not get any narrower than what is on there, which is
> 1.95", some think I can get away with 1.5" width, some recon only way is to change the wheel.

You'll be able to fit narrower, but minimum width depends on the exact rims.

Schwalble City Jet 1.5's are very good, IMO. There are some faster tyres out there but they may not
be so practical or comfortable (or such good value for money).

~PB

 

"Pete Biggs" <pLime{remove_fruit}@biggs.tc> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> You'll be able to fit narrower, but minimum width depends on the exact rims.
>
> Schwalble City Jet 1.5's are very good, IMO. There are some faster tyres out there but they may
> not be so practical or comfortable (or such good value for money).
>

I have to say I have my doubts about 'faster tyres'. I used to think skinner = faster but in fact
experience has proven otherwise. When I first roadified my MTB I put 1.5" road tyres on, then
thinking less is more I went down to 1" slicks. That had the effect of giving me a very hard and
uncomfortable ride and a couple of pinch punctures, despite proper inflation, on the unsuspended
rear, so I put a 1.2" slick on the rear which was much better - the speed without the discomfort...
Or so I thought until a broken spoke led me to refitting my old wheel with the old 1.5" tyre on. It
was a revelation - so much more comfortable than the 1.2" tyre, and the first day I rode on it I set
a new personal best for my commute, and not only that but the next day took a full 3 minutes off my
best ever time in the last 3 years. The next several subsequent days were all better than usual. I
theorise that it's easier to pedal harder on bumpy roads with softer tyres!

I must confess I haven't given up looking for 'go faster tyres', since I don't want to admit the
main limiting factor is the engine, but I now think a bit of comfort helps the speed!

Rich

 

"Jag Mann" <[email protected]> wrote

> What is the best road tyre for my Raleigh Tigershark? I think it has 26 x 1.95 MTB tyres on now. I
> want to swap for road tyres but want to know the smallest size I can get away with, I am getting
> conflicting views,
>
> Some recon I can not get any narrower than what is on there, which is
> 1.95", some think I can get away with 1.5" width, some recon only way is to change the wheel.

Depends on rim width. I use 24mm rims (external dimension) with 32 mm
(1.25") tyres. I have seen 22mm rims with 23mm section tyres.

David Roberts

 

[email protected] (Jag Mann) wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> Hi,
>
> What is the best road tyre for my Raleigh Tigershark? I think it has 26 x 1.95 MTB tyres on now. I
> want to swap for road tyres but want to know the smallest size I can get away with, I am getting
> conflicting views,

I concur with earlier posts about Schwalbe City Jets - Wiggle doing a set of 2 for £20, including 2
tubes: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/v2_product_detail.asp?ProdID=5300003751

Fitted them to my ancient rigid Raleigh MTB about 3 months ago when I started daily cycle-commute.
Previously had cheapo 26x1.75 semi-knobblies.

Smooth running, only one puncture - ran over a drawing pin, pointy side up :-( Slightly harsher ride
of course, but not uncomfortable even on a rigid.

Best bit is the fun factor - swooping round corners. Allows a nice tight line, which helps with
avoiding moron cagers on the urban racetrack (aka Norwich). Cornering much safer - the
semi-knobblies had such crap cornering grip I found myself subcounciously shifting my weight to the
front tyre just so the rear end didn't slide out. No such problem now.

At the price, I'd say give 'em a go - nothing much to lose. Gave a massive improvement on my bike.
All the best.

 

Echo the rim width consideration - see http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire_sizing.html#width. For max
speed, consider Schwalbe Stelvios 25-559, though they are heart-stoppingly expensive in comparison
with their 28-406 little brothers. The Continental Avenue also offers good rolling resistance
figures and is available in, IIRC, 32 and 47 mm widths.

Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
===========================================================
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
http://www.bhpc.org.uk/
===========================================================

 

[email protected] (Jag Mann) wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> Hi,
>
> What is the best road tyre for my Raleigh Tigershark? I think it has 26 x 1.95 MTB tyres on now. I
> want to swap for road tyres but want to know the smallest size I can get away with, I am getting
> conflicting views,
>
> Some recon I can not get any narrower than what is on there, which is
> 1.95", some think I can get away with 1.5" width, some recon only way is to change the wheel.
>
> Any feedback greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jag Mann

The main benefit from switching tyres will be the losing the waste of energy associated with using
knobbly tyres on road. The width is less important and if you go very narrow you may find them
comfortable. I,ve got Continental Top Touring 26x1.75s, which have a slight inverted tread, on my
hybrid and they work well for mainly road with some canal bank and path. For 100% road use a slick
would be better. As OPs have said the minimum width will depend on your rims. cheers Iain

 

> The Continental Avenue also offers good rolling resistance figures and is available in, IIRC, 32
> and 47 mm widths.

I've been using the Conti Ave Semi's for about six months now (15mi x 2 each day) and the rear's
just about down to the canvas now. I've also had loads more punctures than usual which, I suppose,
is the privce you pay for a light tyre.

Verdict: Rolls and corners really nicely but not for commuter use in cities.

Robert (fingers still dirty from multiple punctures this morning)

 

[email protected] (Robert McDonald) wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > The Continental Avenue also offers good rolling resistance figures and is available in, IIRC, 32
> > and 47 mm widths.
>
> I've been using the Conti Ave Semi's for about six months now (15mi x 2 each day) and the rear's
> just about down to the canvas now. I've also had loads more punctures than usual which, I suppose,
> is the privce you pay for a light tyre.
>
> Verdict: Rolls and corners really nicely but not for commuter use in cities.
>
> Robert (fingers still dirty from multiple punctures this morning)
I,ve also used Conti Avenues in the past. I eventually binned them before getting to the canvas due
to the number of punctures I got. Above verdict is spot on. cheers Iain

 

[email protected] (Jag Mann) wrote in message
>> What is the best road tyre for my Raleigh Tigershark?

Bought two pairs of Schwalbe Silento tyres (reasonably smooth, Kevlar, reflective sidewall) for the
wife's MTB and (gulp) our new cheapo MTB tandem. No complaints. £8 each from University Cycles in
Cambridge.

They also have a special on at the moment on Schwalbe City Marathon 700c x 35 tyres with
kevlar - £6.50.

Tim

 

These are the details I could get from the RIM

RIGIDA 20x5.59 whatever that means

The Tyres are RAIDER 26x1.95 (54-559)

Cheers

Jag Mann

 

Jag Mann wrote:
> These are the details I could get from the RIM
>
> RIGIDA 20x5.59 whatever that means

55.9 is the diameter in cm, it means mountain bike 26", aka 559 (mm). 20 is the width in mm. I'm
sure you'll be able to fit 1.5" tyres, not sure what the absolute minimum will be (others will
help with that, hopefully).

> The Tyres are RAIDER 26x1.95 (54-559)

Don't have to stick to same width tyres (but must get 559's). There's always a /range/ of widths
that will fit.

~PB