Road wheels on a mountain bike?

tim_james

Have you ever had any issues with slicks this skinny in terms of stability and grip? I don't plan to ride in the rain either so thats not really an issue.

reallyoldpunk

Never had traction problems, even in the rain. They hold as well if not better than my road bike tires. The max psi isn't as high so there is some extra rolling resistance compared to my road tires. I make no claims about my (in)ability to ride fast, but i do find myself running out of gearing at times with my compact drives.

gclark8

Hi Tim,

Most of your questions are answered here: http://www.cyclingforums.com/t291662.html

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Cheers,
George.

mikesbytes

Slicks offer better wet weather traction that tyres of the same construct and quality that have grooves. The reason being is that the slicks have more rubber on the road than groved tyres. Bicycle tyres don't need grooves because they don't acquaplane, where cars and motorcyles do.

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Training Log

tim_james

Ok thanks everyone for the replies, and I have read the other thread on MTB slicks as well. This is what I have found so far on the net, with the Conti contact sport 26" x 1.3" seeming to have the most users on this forum.

www.cellbikes.com.au
IRC metro II 26" x 1" $20 each 90 psi 325 grams
maxxis xenith 26" x 1.5" $30 each

www.phantomcycles.com.au
Conti contact sport 26" x 1.3" $40 each
maxxis xenith 26" x 1.5" $26 each 65psi 390 grams
maxxis columbiere 26" x 1.25" $25 each
Tom Ritchey slick 26 x 1.0" $30 each
Tom Ritchey slick 26 x 1.4" $30 each

Also, I am planning to walk in to my local bike shop this arvo to see what they have and their prices. Will also measure the internal width of my rims tonight to see what the smallest size tire that sheldon brown recommends.

Thanks all so far, Tim.

tim_james

Ok so this is where I am up to at the moment.

I visited my local shop this arvo, and they have the Specialised fat boy slicks (26" x 1.25") in stock at $35 each. I didn't see any of these online and someone in the thread on MTB slicks said they had been discontinued. Lots of reviews have given these the thumbs up, although it seems there is varying points of view on their ability in the wet. I don't really plan on riding in the wet though so this is not really a concern. I am probably leaning towards these at the moment. The only other ones they had were the Contis 1.3" but they were $50 each.

I have measured my rims internal width, about 19mm. According to the table from the MTB slicks thread, this means I can use approximately anything from 1.0" to 2.0"in width.

I have also picked up a spare set of rims for free, I scavenged them off my a friends bike that doesn't get used anymore. They would be cheap rims though I think, as the bike was something similar to a Kmart bike. The rims are not quick release but that doesn't matter too much (Aside: can they be converted to quick release?). So now assuming I pick up the EXACT same cassette I can have a spare set of wheels for about $130 ($70 tires, $20 tubes, $40 cassette). The only thing now to think about is whether the good rims have the slicks or the MTB tires? I have an argument for both cases:

Good rims - slicks - I plan on doing most riding on the road, probably 80% road to 20% off-road - so it makes sense to use the good rims most of the time.

Good rims - MTB tires - The good rims are double walled and so stronger for the off-road use.

If anyone has any comments on something I have neglected please let me know. I'll make sure to post when I have ridden on the slicks to let you know how much faster I am going on them (currently doing somewhere in the range 20-23 km/hr average on 26" x 1.95" tires - a bit slow I think but I have just started about a month ago).

Thanks to all who have helped me choose, Tim.

gclark8

Tim,


Have a look a the Conti City Contact Tyres (same casings as Sport Contact) on Little Jackie's Upland. They are mounted on the same rims your bike uses. http://www.cyclingforums.com/t363004.html

As for the cassette, use a Sunrace 11-24 8 Speed on the road wheels. Learn how to trim the rear derailleur, it only takes a couple of seconds after the wheel swap.

Use the older rims for off road.

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Cheers,
George.

tim_james

Why do you suggest this combo of tires and cassette? I guess the tires would offer more traction and comfort, and will the cassette offer higher gearing for the road?

Tim.

gclark8

In a word, Performance!
http://www.conti-online.com/generat...contact_en.html

Consider flat bars and a lower riding position, this is to put more weight over the front wheel. You may also need to bring the seat forward. I use a set of bathroom scales uder the front wheel to check weight distribution.

__________________
Cheers,
George.

tim_james

Ok well thanks for the advice. Think I will still go with the 1.25" fatboys though as they are cheaper and I can have them for the weekend. As for the cassette though I will have to wait on that for a couple of weeks anyway until I can afford to spend more money on my bike. If I want to go off road in between I'll just have to change the back tire over.

Another question though, although I should probably post this in another thread, but I go riding around my place which is hilly almost everywhere (hard to find flat ground). So does this have the effect of increasing/decreasing/not effecting my average speed?

Tim.

gclark8

Tim,

I have lost count of the number of bikes I have removed Specialised and Maxxis Tyres to fit Contis.

__________________
Cheers,
George.

reallyoldpunk

Not quite sure what you are using for a reference. Assuming you are using the same tires, gearing will not affect your average speed, unless you run out of gear inches on either side of the total gearing envelope.

Road type tires will increase your average speed as you are losing a lot of rotational weight and not losing as much energy through tire tread and casing flexation over a mt. bike tire.

mikesbytes

In the end you will end up with a bike that is no longer suitable for off road riding. What about buying a second bike.

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tim_james

gclark8 - you're obviously a big fan of the Contis, when you refer to performance do you mean they are quicker, last longer, are more comfortable or all of the above?

really old punk - I just meant that since I go slower uphills and quicker downhills, would my average speed be different compared to riding on flat ground all the time. I guess it is different for different people right?

mikesbytes - No a 2nd bike is not affordable right now. If I just change over my tires though depending on on/off road then I should be ok right?

Tim.