Slicks on mtb touring

[grw]

Hi all, I've had a good search for previous questions similar to this but could only find heated threads on the difference between Schwalbe and Conti tyres. I'm going to use my mtb for a few weeks on tour and as I expect most of the route will be on sealed roads then I'm probably going to put some slicks on it. Has anyone got any recommendations or horror stories about the various tyres on offer? Or is it that one slick is pretty much like another? Thought I'd ask before spending any money. I'd like to keep it cheap if possible as currently out of work.
cheers
Gareth

[delilah]

Hi
I've just put a pair of Schwalbe City Jets on my rigid fork MTB which I'm using for commuting. I bought the 1.50in (although they're also available in 1.95in which may be better for touring). I can thoroughly recommend them, the difference they make in rolling speed from a standard pair of MTB tyres is extemely noticeable and if used on the road they are extremely comfortable. Not too expensive either just do a Google search.
Daz

[HarryD]

Have used Continental Gatorskins for the last few years on my hardtail moutainbike. This has included sealed & unsealed roads. They have performed admirably throughout.

The benefit over knobbly MTB tyres is significant. Road speed with MTB tyres ~22kmph compared with ~33kph on slicks for same hard effort. Not that I tour flat out.

I use the 28mm diameter ones & cannot see any need for wider ones unless your rims cannot take them. Fatter ones may offer a little more cushion but may not roll so well.

Hope this helps.

[ncutler]

I completely agree about 'City jets' - perfect for touring, and they still go everywhere except mud.

Nick

[tenbikes]

When I tour with an MTB I use semi slicks (ie with a bit of side tread). I do this because I like the option of including some low-key off road / tracks.
If you are sure you will not leave tarmac then slick will be fine.

[DaveP]

Continental Tyres come with an inner tube...
I've had good service from a pair of Travel Contacts (semi slick) in the 1.75 size. I was going to try a narrower version but the man in the shop pointed out that 1.75 tubes were readily available whereas 1.5 and narrower could be harder to find away from larger towns.
Also, while I usually run mine at 80 psi they can be used with pressures as low as 50psi quite safely, which gives a lot of scope for fine tuning the ride quality. Narrower tyres wouldnt be quite as flexible.
Now the warnings! If you havent used high tyre pressures on your wheels before, it might be as well to consider the quality of your rim tape. When I first pumped mine up to 80 it only took about an hour for the tube to develop a number of holes on the inner face where the original, soft and stretchy rim tape had been pushed through the spoke holes. And you may need a new pump - a lot of pumps that are entirely suitable for mtb tyres just cant reach the pressures that make slicks sing.
Dont be put off by any of this if you're spending some time on the roads suitable tyres will make a big contribution to the amount of pleasure you get!

Edit: Just reread your original post and picked up on the money issue. Before I got the Continentals I did have a pair of Halfords slicks, which were ok but cost less than half the price. I got the Conti's because I liked the idea of having a little tread for gentle off road, but although I like the tyres I couldnt honestly say that having a few lugs on the shoulders really helps off road. They are designed to be puncture resistant, but the Halfords tyres had a very thick "tread" area. Comments about tapes and pumps still apply I'm afraid!

[willem jongman]

I am fan of 50 mm Schwalbe Big Apples for mtb conversion. They are fast, comfortable, and because of their width still give you a fair measure of dry off road capability. Narrow tyres on stiff mtb frames can be less comfortable, and they are hardly faster, if at all. I hate the 60 mm Big Apples: I think they are soggy. Try ordering them from Germany, as they may well be cheaper there.
WIllem

[patricktaylor]

... I've just put a pair of Schwalbe City Jets on my rigid fork MTB ... I bought the 1.50in ...

Me too. At my LBS they cost £23.50 for a pair, including inner tubes. Good value I reckon. I wouldn't want anything wider for touring on roads.

[ncutler]

There is all sorts of advice for MTB tyres: people have lots to report about various knobbles and treads for sand, and gravel, and mud, and downhill, and uphill, and sideways ..............

But before taking too much notice it's worth considering the sort of riding you do, and the sort of riding the people with the recommendations do.

I'm sure that if you ride hell-for-leather down 'gnarly' downhill 'drop-offs' or whatever then the expensive & complicated tyres with the weird names will save your bacon and are worth every penny.

I find that 1.5in slicks are fine on the road, and far better than anything with squirmy knobbles. And for my version of gentle off-road touring/pootling they work pretty well just about anywhere except in deep mud. The compromise is that you can't go hurtling about on loose gravel or wet limestone pavement, but I'd rather go slowly and enjoy the view. Others will differ, of course.

As far as I can tell, the same is true of suspension as well.

Nick

[grw]

Thanks for all your advice, on the basis of which I've ordered a pair of the city jets.
I normally use the mtb for riding off road so am happy with the nobblies I've got for that. Couldn't remember the type of slicks I had when I used to use an mtb for commuting, hence my post. This will a be my first tour on an mtb (I don't have a more suitable bike with me and I wouldn't be allowed to get another one at the moment), and I wanted to get away from the energy sapping effect of nobblies on road. Forks have a lock out so that shouldn't be too much of a problem.
I'm off to the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves, hopefully week after next, and heading up through the Central Plains of NSW to the Thunderbolts Road.
Thanks again,
gareth

[simonhill]

Hmmmmm.....Oz. Probably a bit late now, but my experience of Oz roads is that they have an awful surface. They use large grade stones (20mm) in their tarmac and this is very energy sapping. I reckoned on dropping a chain wheel because of it. Not sure if this changes your choice, as i have nevere ridden on slicks.

Also, beware the broken glass - Aussies love to recycle their stubbies out of the car window.

The Blue Mountains are beautiful, especially in the morning mist. it is a good climb up - or a train is available if you want to skip that bit of the highway (I did on recommendation, but I had just ridden up from Melbourne and was on my way to Brisbane, so happy to take a rest).

Have a great time.

[RubberMan]

Been using City Jets (1.50) for about 1,000 miles now with no issues, they are great and good enough on a dry track offroad.

I got two on offer from Wiggle for £25 with two free inner tubes last year but up until now no punctures fingers crossed!

[Paul A]

Just to throw a cat in amongst the gators...
No mention of Specialized's Nimbus?
Good rolling, 'Flak Jacket' puncture resistance and last forever.
I used them on 2 France coast to coasts on a hardtail Rockhopper with no problems.
See...http://www.francecoast2coast.co.uk

Incidentally, the story from my 2007 St Malo to Narbonne trip is due online too in the next few weeks if I can nail down my tame "I'll do it this weekend - honest!" webmeister.

Cheers,

Paul

[syklist]

I am fan of 50 mm Schwalbe Big Apples for mtb conversion. They are fast, comfortable, and because of their width still give you a fair measure of dry off road capability.

We're running Travel Contacts at the moment but considering getting 50mm Big Apples as we're thinking of doing the Danish NSCR for a second time. We want extra comfort and a larger contact area for the poor surfaces we will encounter on the route. We're then going to do two routes in Southern Norway which go up and down lots. What I'm concerned about is sidewall stiffness. The Travel Contacts were great during fast descents in Norway (60+km/h) when inflated to 4 bar the bikes felt very stable. 4 bar was also was a good compromise in terms of comfort. How do Big Apples fare going downhill when the bike is fully laden (around 20kg of luggage spread over four panniers and bar bags)?
Thanks in advance,
Stan