I normally ride road bikes, but I just got an entry-level Jamis Durango 1.0 MTB for riding on dirt roads and easy trails while camping. It came with a set of 26 x 2.0 knobby tires for offroad use, but I'd like to pack a second set of wheels with higher-pressure, smoother tires for riding on paved roads. Trouble is, I know nothing about how these kinds of wheels and tires are sized. The wheels are "WTB Speed Disc rims, eyeleted, 32H, with Formula front and rear disc hubs, 14g black stainless steel spokes."
Suggestions on a reasonably priced set of wheels and paved road tires that would fit this bike?
I normally ride road bikes, but I just got an entry-level Jamis Durango 1.0 MTB for riding on dirt roads and easy trails while camping. It came with a set of 26 x 2.0 knobby tires for offroad use, but I'd like to pack a second set of wheels with higher-pressure, smoother tires for riding on paved roads. Trouble is, I know nothing about how these kinds of wheels and tires are sized. The wheels are "WTB Speed Disc rims, eyeleted, 32H, with Formula front and rear disc hubs, 14g black stainless steel spokes."
Suggestions on a reasonably priced set of wheels and paved road tires that would fit this bike?
- mike elliott
You'd also need rotors for the wheels. You'll probably need to adjust the brake pad positioning each time you switch, at least for good performance - I think the ISO standard does set in stone exactly where the hub is supposed to put the rotor, but disc brake pad adjustment is finicky enough that very small imprecision will mess things up. It would probably make more sense just to switch the tires. MTB 26" all use the same diameter of rims, so just like in road bikes the only restraints are how well match the tire and rim width are.
You'd also need rotors for the wheels. You'll probably need to adjust the brake pad positioning each time you switch, at least for good performance - I think the ISO standard does set in stone exactly where the hub is supposed to put the rotor, but disc brake pad adjustment is finicky enough that very small imprecision will mess things up. It would probably make more sense just to switch the tires. MTB 26" all use the same diameter of rims, so just like in road bikes the only restraints are how well match the tire and rim width are.
.... what Nate said.
I think you'd be better off just buying a pair of 26 x 1.25" slicks and the correct tubes and swapping them when you wanted to switch. Removing/replacing tires and tubes would probably be quicker than replacing the wheels and adjusting the brakes. Nashbar has some cheap slicks: http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=121&subcategory=1249&brand=&sku=7174
You'd also need rotors for the wheels. You'll probably need to adjust the brake pad positioning each time you switch, at least for good performance - I think the ISO standard does set in stone exactly where the hub is supposed to put the rotor, but disc brake pad adjustment is finicky enough that very small imprecision will mess things up. It would probably make more sense just to switch the tires. MTB 26" all use the same diameter of rims, so just like in road bikes the only restraints are how well match the tire and rim width are.
... what Nate said.
I think you'd be better off just buying a pair of 26 x 1.25" slicks and the correct tubes and swapping them when you wanted to switch. Removing/replacing tires and tubes would probably be quicker than replacing the wheels and adjusting the brakes. Nashbar has some cheap slicks: http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=121&subcategory=1249&brand=&sku=7174
Jeff
Thanks, guys. It's a little less convenient that I hoped. On the other hand, it's a lot less expensive than buying a second set of wheels.
In article <[email hidden]>, Mike Rocket J Squirrel
Quoted message said:
I normally ride road bikes, but I just got an entry-level Jamis Durango 1.0 MTB for riding on dirt roads and easy trails while camping. It came with a set of 26 x 2.0 knobby tires for offroad use, but I'd like to pack a second set of wheels with higher-pressure, smoother tires for riding on paved roads. Trouble is, I know nothing about how these kinds of wheels and tires are sized. The wheels are "WTB Speed Disc rims, eyeleted, 32H, with Formula front and rear disc hubs, 14g black stainless steel spokes."
Suggestions on a reasonably priced set of wheels and paved road tires that would fit this bike?
What do the knobby tires do for you? Can you replace them with slicks and ride the trails with the slicks?
I normally ride road bikes, but I just got an entry-level Jamis Durango 1.0 MTB for riding on dirt roads and easy trails while camping. It came with a set of 26 x 2.0 knobby tires for offroad use, but I'd like to pack a second set of wheels with higher-pressure, smoother tires for riding on paved roads. Trouble is, I know nothing about how these kinds of wheels and tires are sized. The wheels are "WTB Speed Disc rims, eyeleted, 32H, with Formula front and rear disc hubs, 14g black stainless steel spokes."
Suggestions on a reasonably priced set of wheels and paved road tires that would fit this bike?
If you're only riding "dirt roads and easy trails" get something like a Kenda K-Rad tire that is road smooth with enough tread for light off-road stuff. Of course once you get out on the trails one thing leads to another and pretty soon you're bombing along like a lunatic. But until then you should be good with a decent all-around type tire.
In article <[email hidden]>, Mike Rocket J Squirrel
Quoted message said:
I normally ride road bikes, but I just got an entry-level Jamis Durango 1.0 MTB for riding on dirt roads and easy trails while camping. It came with a set of 26 x 2.0 knobby tires for offroad use, but I'd like to pack a second set of wheels with higher-pressure, smoother tires for riding on paved roads. Trouble is, I know nothing about how these kinds of wheels and tires are sized. The wheels are "WTB Speed Disc rims, eyeleted, 32H, with Formula front and rear disc hubs, 14g black stainless steel spokes."
Suggestions on a reasonably priced set of wheels and paved road tires that would fit this bike?
What do the knobby tires do for you? Can you replace them with slicks and ride the trails with the slicks?
You're asking me? I ride road tires - this is my first MTB. Maybe they look cool? All I can say is that I took the bike out for a road ride today and I have these observations:
1. At slow speeds, the knobs provide a mild, not unpleasant prostate massage. 2. At higher speeds the tires begin to howl, around 200Hz. 3. They are a lot harder to push than a skinny road tire @ 100psi.
Points 2 and 3 are, to me, good reasons not to use these tires on paved roads, point 1 notwithstanding.
Riding off pavement might provide a different set of behaviors. More testing is needed.
Thanks, guys. It's a little less convenient that I hoped. On the other hand, it's a lot less expensive than buying a second set of wheels.
- mike elliott
Unfortunately, on some wheelsets it is extra difficult to change tires. If yours is one of them, that $100 Deore hub and Sun rim wheelset might start to look tempting. Also, IME just removing the same wheels and reinstalling them can lead to recentering the pads. If you are lucky and are careful to tighten the skewers the same way, you may not need to, but a properly adjusted pad is only a hair from the rotor and it doesn't take much to upset the balance.
In article <[email hidden]>, Mike Rocket J Squirrel
Quoted message said:
I normally ride road bikes, but I just got an entry-level Jamis Durango 1.0 MTB for riding on dirt roads and easy trails while camping. It came with a set of 26 x 2.0 knobby tires for offroad use, but I'd like to pack a second set of wheels with higher-pressure, smoother tires for riding on paved roads. Trouble is, I know nothing about how these kinds of wheels and tires are sized. The wheels are "WTB Speed Disc rims, eyeleted, 32H, with Formula front and rear disc hubs, 14g black stainless steel spokes."
Suggestions on a reasonably priced set of wheels and paved road tires that would fit this bike?
What do the knobby tires do for you? Can you replace them with slicks and ride the trails with the slicks?
I tried using a set of tires that has a smooth center with knobs on the sides. They worked well on the road but left a lot to be desired on the trail. My trail riding consists of some double track and fireroads in Portland, Oregon's Forest Park where there are some fairly steep climbs with loose gravel or dirt and leaves (N. of germantown RD for those familiar with these parts). I really missed my knobbies as it was a lot more work riding with the dual-purpose tires (rear tire slipped a lot climbing some of the steeper hills). However for the rail-trail type of riding the dual-purpose tires were fine. If you're going to ride some real trails and not just flat, well maintained rail-trail type trails then switching to knobbies is worth the trouble.
For the record I use 26 x 1.75 road tires on my Specialized Rockhopper for most things (commuting, shopping, fun rides) and switch to 26 x 2.1 knobbies for off-road fun. Brand of tire varies as I wear out a pair or two each year, but are usually something Performance has on sale.
I really missed my knobbies as it was a lot more work riding with the dual-purpose tires (rear tire slipped a lot climbing some of the steeper hills). However for the rail-trail type of riding the dual-purpose tires were fine. If you're going to ride some real trails and not just flat, well maintained rail-trail type trails then switching to knobbies is worth the trouble.
I ride slicks when it seems appropriate. But one problem with slicks that I've found - that nobody else seems to mention - is forgetting that there's a slick on the front wheel and doing something bone-headed like jumping onto a cambered grass surface (Splat!).
For awhile, until the paranoia from the first face plant wore off, I was running a 1.25" cyclocross tire up front just in case. -- PeteCresswell
