[serval]

So I'm fat and I have a nice little mountain bike with knobby tires.
I'm trying to commute to school (3+ miles, nothing too serious) in Berkeley, Ca. Uphill on the way there (hard for fat guy), down on the way back (great for fat guy!).

I'm looking to replace my knobbies with something slick(er) and was hoping you all could help me out. I'm concerned about 3 major factors:
(1) Puncture resistance (given a heavy rider with maybe high psi).
(2) Low-ish cost (let's say less then $40 for the pair)
(3) Stability (I'd like to still be able to ride on grass or hard-packed dirt trails ... nothing fancy, I'll put the knobbies back on for that!)

So far here's what I'm looking at:
Kenda Kwick ($17 but there's a 20% off sale) ... cheaper from Jensonusa.com ($13 each) for their "special order" section ... BUT they are 700c
Kenda Kwest ($17 each)
IRC Mythos XC Slick Tire ($25 for a pair ... the picture seems to be wrong though ... at least different from the mtbr.com review picture, sent them an email to ask)
Performance Fast City ST/K Road Use MTB Tire ($18 each)
Ritchey Tom Slick City Use MTB Tire ($17 each ... seems like a common choice).
Performance City ST Road Use MTB Tire ($10 each, seems quite cheap)
Continental Town & Country MTB Tire (pricey at $26 each).

Any additional suggestions or recommendations? Tell me what to do cycling sultans, pedaling princes, commuting kings.
Thanks!

 

[shiggy]

Any of those except the IRC (it is the wrong pic but the XC Slick also the wrong tire for you) will work great.

Also check the stock at your LBS.

 

[serval]

Any of those except the IRC (it is the wrong pic but the XC Slick also the wrong tire for you) will work great.

Also check the stock at your LBS.

Thanks a ton for the fast reply! I was hoping you migth guide me a bit more though since I'm only recently returned to the biking world ... though they are all good, which would be "best" given their prices? Right now I'm leaning toward the Kenda Kwick or Kwest (not sure which), but I'm really open to suggestions!

 

[shiggy]

I think you are better off with a full slick (like the Kwest). Wider could be nicer for your weight. Other than that there is not much difference.

Do check your LBS. They often have take-off tires at low prices. You will at least save on shipping cost.

 

[FishMan473]

First I would say stay away from the Tom Slicks, I got many puncture and pinch flats with mine, and I only weight 150 lbs.

I currently run the Town and Country. A good tire all in all, a little big for me (1.9) and thus a tad slower then I would like, but still WAY faster then knobbies. Plus the inverse tread means you have a little bit to hook up if you hit any gravel roads or dirt paths. I've gotten 1 or 2 flats in the past 3 years of use. Be sure you get the newer model with the black sidewalls. The sidewalls on my older tires which are tan/brown, are decaying and I'll need to toss the tire as a result, even though the tread has tons of life left.

For new tires I will be buying either the Continental Top Touring or Specialized Nimbus. I have some top touring on my touring bike they roll fast and are super beefy and extemely flat resistant. With over 11,000 miles between my wife and I on our Top Touring tires (a pair each) we have experienced only one slow leak and one puncture flat. They are out of your price range, but a worthwile investment... I think Nashbar has them on sale currently. The low end Nimbus are just on the high end of your price range, but personally I'd spring the extra cash for the reflective sidewalls.

 

[Big K]

Try this one..

should be avail in local shops. "Inverse tread" - they roll like a slick but have some grabbing ability when you need it. I personally don't have any use for tires like this but there is a bike in my family with them and they have served their purpose trouble-free. I remember them being fairly inexpensive too.

http://www.serfas.com/tires/CTR-15.shtml

 

[logbiter]

first, for a big guy (as am I) I'd recommend something slick in the 2" range, the 1.5" and smaller ride pretty harsh... although the 1.5's will work fine... so pretty much what shiggy said (including the part about calling LBS or even checkin wally world for some cheapo slicks)
I got some cyclepro 2.0 slicks from nashbar (~$10/each) a while back for a buddy (also a clyde) who loves 'em... nashbar seems to be outta stock on the 2.0's right now though (do have the 1.5's)... might be worth a call.

I love my schwalbe 2.35" big apple/supermoto's, but they're on the pricey side. super comfy (huge air volume) and good puncture resistance though.

So I'm fat and I have a nice little mountain bike with knobby tires.
I'm trying to commute to school (3+ miles, nothing too serious) in Berkeley, Ca. Uphill on the way there (hard for fat guy), down on the way back (great for fat guy!).

I'm looking to replace my knobbies with something slick(er) and was hoping you all could help me out. I'm concerned about 3 major factors:
(1) Puncture resistance (given a heavy rider with maybe high psi).
(2) Low-ish cost (let's say less then $40 for the pair)
(3) Stability (I'd like to still be able to ride on grass or hard-packed dirt trails ... nothing fancy, I'll put the knobbies back on for that!)
Thanks!

 

[serval]

Thanks for the help everyone. I went with a cheap, possibly temporary solution, the Kenda Kross Plus ($10 at a local shop, Cambria bike Santa rosa). 1.95", hybrid kinda thing:

I'll let you know how it works out, I found all the replies really helpful.

couple of MTBR.com reviews

 

[ArroyoBomber]

Doesn't look too bad,but I'm not sure I'd be too trustful of it's puncture resistance or offroad stability.If it does you wrong,run with these babies:

http://www.conti-online.com/generat...ycle/themes/tires/mtb/traffic/traffic_en.html

I trust these tires (I rock the 2.1,but they have 1.9) in ways that I've never trusted a tire on pavement,they have no fear of going offroad,and they roll far faster & smoother than you'd think by looking at them.Plus, I beat the CRAP out of them and they never let me down (I'm only 180,but off of a 4 foot to flat on pavement on a rigid,that's abuse).Picked mine up for $17 each after being advised that I'd "blow a pair of Town & Countries straight to hell in under an hour" the way I ride.Only have to air 'em up after the pressure gauge allows air to escape,i.e.-NO flats.