Buying slicks (tyres)

[Walst]

Hi forum, I've recently invested in a MTB and am looking to buy slick tyres for commuting. Is there anything I should be aware of when deciding what tyres to opt for at the LBS?

Brands? Style? How much I should expect to pay?

Thanks in advance.

[trailgumby]

Serfas Barista in 26x1.25 or Continental Sport Contact in 26x1.3.

Best MTB commuting tyres on the Oz market atm. Both have puncture protection. The Conti's roll a little better and are a little better against punctures, but can be painful to mount as they are rather a tight fit. Serfas are also a little chepaer, but not much. Expect to pay $45-60 each. Both are great in the wet. 7-10% faster than running fat mtb tyres.

Haven't bought them for awhile as I've got some 700c rims fitted to my mtb for commuting now, and use Conti GP4000s.

[Walst]

Cheers for the suggestions. I'm taking the bike in next week for a service and I'll see what they've got. From your description, the Serfas seem like a good choice.

[Tale]

Continental Sport Contact in 26x1.3.

I'm running Continental City Contacts (similar) on my touring bike, which I'm commuting on. They are good semislicks. I also toured 350km on them from Sydney to Port Stephens and back to Newcastle, including 40km of dirt road, and they went fine.

[brauluver]

Haven't bought them for awhile as I've got some 700c rims fitted to my mtb for commuting now, and use Conti GP4000s.

slightly OT, but did you need to change brake calipers as well to match the larger rim?

[hartleymartin]

For 26" MTB wheels:
Selecta Kevlar Belted 26" x 1.75"
Sierra Armour Guard 26" x 1.75"

For 700C wheels:
Selecta Kevlar Belted 700C x 38mm
Flatfighter 700C x 28mm

I can recommend the Selecta 26" x 1.75" as I use them on my Tourer/Commuter bicycle. They roll quickly on the road and are all but bullet-proof.

I can highly recommend the online shop, Velogear.com.au, as I have made several purchases from them, and they have always been very quick with their turn-around. They are selling all of the above tyres for about $20 each, so you can save yourself a lot of money

[trailgumby]

Haven't bought them for awhile as I've got some 700c rims fitted to my mtb for commuting now, and use Conti GP4000s.

slightly OT, but did you need to change brake calipers as well to match the larger rim?

The bike they're on is a Cannondale Furio hardtail - Lefty "fork" and hydraulic discs. Lke this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfDuAE8HdX4

Didn't have to move a thing. On a rim-braked bike I think you'd struggle, though.

[brauluver]

Ahhhhh.Thanks mate