Best road/gravel commuter tire?

[Scott Brady]

I am going to convert my old Schwinn Moab to a commuter bike, as I only live 1.2 miles from the shop. I was feeling silly firing up an expensive expedition truck for the short commute, the engine never warming up.

I need some new tires anyways, so I am looking for a good commuter tire, but one that can also take a little smooth gravel, as we have a bike trail that connects the local coffee shop and some basic shopping areas.

A bias towards smooth rolling and lightweight comes to mind...

Something like this: Schwalbe Marathon Extreme (http://www.schwalbetires.com/node/2179)
http://www.schwalbetires.com/files/l_img_marathon_extreme.gif

Any thoughts?

[Flounder]

Just about anything will do the trick. Personally, I'd use old mountain bike tires that have lost enough tread to be really good for trail use. Do a little re-cycling. As I remember, the tires on your Epic might be smaller tires? Maybe slip those over to the commuter and buy some bigger meat for the Epic. This time of year it's nice to have slightly bigger freshies on the mountain bike as the trails get loosey goosey in summer.

But...those Schwalbs look pretty sweet.

[Scott Brady]

The ones on the Schwinn and Epic are both super old and hard (and cracking). Time for some replacements. Great idea on the using old/worn treads. I just need to ride more, so that I have worn dirt tires to "cycle" in to the commuter :D

[weezerbot]

When I started using my MTB more for commuting than trail riding, I switched over to some Bontrager semi-slicks...I can't remember the name and I don't think they make them anymore but they were very similar to these:

http://greenfishsports.com/images/products/4131-1-lg.jpg

I wanted something that was a lot smoother on the pavement and sidewalks but if I wanted to cut across a park or vacant lot I didn't need to worry about grip or avid tire punctures. I would definitely look at the cyclocross tires, but if you want to add a little funk to your bike the Sweetskins (http://www.mcsports.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3595471&CAWELAID=344024304) are pretty.....sweet.

[Cackalak Han]

Bought my wife's Stumpjumper HT some semi-slick tires for ~$18 each. They are 26x1.9 They work well on the street and a little bit of dirt, too. I believe they're made by Kenda.

[Scott Brady]

I think this one might be perfect:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/fatcatlim/hello_kitty_tire.jpg?t=1246313054

Low resistance, yet with a CAD traction design and high-tech siping. Serious tire!

[cnynrat]

We've used the Avocet Cross (http://www.avocet.com/tirepages/cross_2_specs.html)tire for many years on our road tandem. It's proven to be a durable tire with reasonable performance, and it can handle gravel trails like those you describe. It's available in both 700C and 26" sizes.

Here's kind of a crummy picture of the tread pattern:

http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/1f/4e/pr-Bike_Parts_Accessories-Avocet_Cross_II_Tire_700_x_32-resized200.jpg

[Navman]

Hello Kitty all the way.

There are quite a few good commuter tires. I like to use Kenda small block 8s if there is any possibility of taking a detour off the bike path and onto some dirt. Much less rolling resistance than real knobbies but still have great traction on the dirt.

[FreeManDan]

Micro Knobby
http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://www.silverfish-uk.com/cms-files/1132pinkbike_micro_knobby.jpg&usg=AFQjCNHpE7AQxDcV4P1Fl8U18bokQlIkxw

Kenda Tomac Small Block Eight
http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/kenda%2520tkt41.jpg&usg=AFQjCNFrjMLsVq-Yi1tUTfUku6gnXwRLRw

WTB Wolverine Race (good front tire)
http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://content.mtbr.com/images/Tradeshow/14/347/prodimg2.jpg&usg=AFQjCNFL4Yjux9OLmKpRwotH0bicuR_2Pw


Panaracer Rampage, ridiculously low rolling resistance, ridiculously good traction....in 29er anyway
http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/images/products/large/10023.jpg&usg=AFQjCNHNNgc4kwLn14-znjRxjpM6C3ScRw

Hutchinson Python
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:Vo8gqs-Q2tViYM:http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/images/product/fullsize/00002172.jpg

Were I you, I would just use whatever tire I had not being used, and I have a lot of used tires just sitting around...some people even dumpster dive bike shop dumpsters:snorkel:

[TCM]

I second the Kenda Small Block Eight. It is a great tire for use on pavement and the occasional spin on hard pack or dirt roads.

[Scott Brady]

http://greenfishsports.com/images/products/4131-1-lg.jpg


That one looks good. :bike_rider:

I am going to get something from a local shop tomorrow.

[FreeManDan]

Occasional? I know a guy who will ride nothing else on every trail conditions Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado has to offer. He only tries new tired on the front. IMO it only has short comings in mud and trails with lots of roots.

[Flounder]

I think the best commuter tire is a cheap one. No reason to go nutty on the purchase of a commuter tire as it's going to wear quickly if it's of the knobbie variety.

[Scott Brady]

Serfas Vermin Front and Rear. About $20 a tire - pretty cheap.

Front: 26x1.95" 590 grams
http://www.serfas.com/images/products/large/VSSK-F1.9.jpg

Rear: 615 grams
http://www.serfas.com/images/products/large/VSSK-R1.9.jpg

[Skylinerider]

Serfas Vermin Front and Rear. About $20 a tire - pretty cheap.

Front: 26x1.95" 590 grams
http://www.serfas.com/images/products/large/VSSK-F1.9.jpg

Rear: 615 grams
http://www.serfas.com/images/products/large/VSSK-R1.9.jpg

I had these on a bike for a couple years, they were great on the road, and on hard pack trails.

[winkosmosis]

How about the Maxis Holy Roller? I haven't used mine on anything but pavement, but they seem like they'd be good on softer stuff. I got the widest ones that would fit on my bike.. 2.4 I think. It really helps the ride.

http://i30.tinypic.com/t5nlsn.jpg

[winkosmosis]

Kenda K-Rad may be good

http://www.kendausa.com/bicycle/images/07krad.jpg

[DaveInDenver]

I run Ritchey Speed Max tires for commuting when I get into a bike path and urban dirt kick. I dunno if they are available in 26" rims, though. Should be about $20, give or take. In the winter I run Kenda Kross Supremes on the commuting wheels. The CX wheelset is usually Schwalbe CX Pro, but they are about $35 or so and probably a bit too much for commuting.

[RedDog]

How about the Maxis Holy Roller? I haven't used mine on anything but pavement, but they seem like they'd be good on softer stuff. I got the widest ones that would fit on my bike.. 2.4 I think. It really helps the ride.

http://i30.tinypic.com/t5nlsn.jpg

X2 on the Holy Roller. I specified them to be installed on my Santa Cruz before I picked it up new. Mostly paved city park trail commuting use have proven them the perfect choice for me.

[suecyde]

Im rockin some Maxxis HookWorms.. I love it... zero rolling resistance.:wings:http://www.beyondbikes.com/mmbb/Images/large/cm_tir_hookworm.jpgThey are heavy tires...but for city streets, gravel, and roads.... nothing beats this tire...I run a 2.5 width and love the grip I get... if they only made them in a 29er..man that would be a sweet setup.