Most comfortable commuting/XC tires you have ridden?

Isabis · Nov 11, 2015

Hi,
When I first got my new bike it had Bontrager Jones XR tires on it. I've used them for like 6 months and then replaced them with Kenda K-Rads.
I immediately noticed how much smoother K-Rads roll on pavement thanks to their thread pattern and how much more cushiony they are than Bontragers. It almost felt like I was riding on plastic tires before and then I switched to rubber ones.

It is now time to change my tires again since K-Rads are worn out.
I suspect there are even more comfy tires out there than K-Rads, which I really liked.
I was thinking of Schwalbe Table Tops?

I ride pavement/XC 80/20 so I want a thread pattern that rolls smooth on pavement, but can handle some XC as well and above all, I want them to have a good cushioning ability, because I have experienced a huge difference in cushioning ability when I changed my tires 1st time and I don't want to go back to "plasticky" feeling.

I know tire pressure is the main reason for "plasticky" feeling, I didn't have my first tires inflated too much.

Thanks in advance!

SmoothestRollingBike · Nov 12, 2015

Most comfortable?
Compass 26″ x 2.3″ Rat Trap Pass Extralight model

Isabis · Nov 12, 2015

SmoothestRollingBike said:
Most comfortable?
Compass 26″ x 2.3″ Rat Trap Pass Extralight model

Ugh, they might be comfy, but I need something capable of handling XC trails as well.

NordieBoy · Nov 12, 2015

Maxxis Wormdrive?

SmoothestRollingBike · Nov 12, 2015

Isabis said:
Ugh, they might be comfy, but I need something capable of handling XC trails as well.

Compass tires are fantastic on gravel or asphalt. If there isn't any mud they are also capable of handling XC trails in my opinion. If you want something with knobs - the most comfortable will be Continental Speed King II RaceSport: Mountain Bike Tires Rolling Resistance Reviews

justwan naride · Nov 12, 2015

Specialized Fast Trak 2.2. Plenty of volume, wide range of usable air pressure, silent rolling on the road and minimal resistance. Once on dirt drop a few psi and enjoy the ride.

Not my ideal front tyre for loose trails, but I guess it would be perfect for the 80/20 useage you mention. Very comfortable too, as long as you are willing to play with pressure. Sport versions are cheap and last a while too.

natrat · Nov 13, 2015

SmoothestRollingBike said:
: Mountain Bike Tires Rolling Resistance Reviews

That is a cool page. I have tried speed king,race king,thunder burt and small block 8. I like the race king most. It is good on dirt and rolls ok on pavement and i have never gotten a flat and the wear characteristics are good. Speed king was ok, sketchy in loose and smooth on pavement. Thunder burt was great until it started getting a flat every other ride, and the weird part was the flats were coming from within the tire,ie stressed hardened threads acting like a thorn,never again. Small block 8 just sucks and heavy.

Isabis · Nov 13, 2015

natrat said:
That is a cool page. I have tried speed king,race king,thunder burt and small block 8. I like the race king most. It is good on dirt and rolls ok on pavement and i have never gotten a flat and the wear characteristics are good. Speed king was ok, sketchy in loose and smooth on pavement. Thunder burt was great until it started getting a flat every other ride, and the weird part was the flats were coming from within the tire,ie stressed hardened threads acting like a thorn,never again. Small block 8 just sucks and heavy.

Thank you, that's really helpful info.

justwan naride said:
Specialized Fast Trak 2.2. Plenty of volume, wide range of usable air pressure, silent rolling on the road and minimal resistance. Once on dirt drop a few psi and enjoy the ride.

Not my ideal front tyre for loose trails, but I guess it would be perfect for the 80/20 useage you mention. Very comfortable too, as long as you are willing to play with pressure. Sport versions are cheap and last a while too.

I like the thread pattern on these, will look into it thank you.

SmoothestRollingBike said:
Compass tires are fantastic on gravel or asphalt. If there isn't any mud they are also capable of handling XC trails in my opinion. If you want something with knobs - the most comfortable will be Continental Speed King II RaceSport: Mountain Bike Tires Rolling Resistance Reviews

And thank you for this as well, really helpful.

Isabis · Nov 13, 2015

Thanks all, after reading your advices and checking some reviews, I've decided to go with Continental Race King on both front and back wheel.

This review has been the deciding factor:
Scott Pro Mountain Bike Team: Long Term Review - One Year on the Conti X-King (& Race King) 29x2.2 ProTection RTR (updated -- 2 years of use)

"The Race King has a lot lower knobs and doesn't have the same killer traction as the X-King, but it does feel like it rolls faster (the X-Kings have perceptibly low rolling resistance, but the Race Kings are even better). The Race King also felt more supple to me, possibly because I was running it with such low air pressure."

So the conclusion is: X-King is a better tire for a front wheel if you want better control, but Race King has lower rolling resistance and and is more supple. Since I don't race or drive very aggressively, the choice is easy - Race King for both wheels.

also, they look awesome

Most comfortable commuting/XC tires you have ridden?

Isabis

SmoothestRollingBike

Isabis

NordieBoy

SmoothestRollingBike

justwan naride

natrat

Isabis

Isabis

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