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Hi
My MTB came with 26" Continental Speed King tyres which I hear are pretty good value - they're pretty fat. I've had the bike for about 3 months and I'm noticing a lot of wear on the 'middle' tread. I'd imagine that this has not been helped by the fact that about 50% of my riding has been on tarmac?
So, questions... 1: is this amount of wear (I know very subjective) normal? And, 2: what are people's advice re having a second set of tyres which I could fit when I know that the majority of a ride is going to be road based? Could I just buy a tyre, or would I need a separate inner tube too?
Apols for the beginner Qs, but am new to this game.
Many thanks,
Si
Yes, afraid that sounds fairly normal. I've started using Schwalbe Smart Sams* as a compromise tyre (I tend to cover a fair amount of road getting to the trails). So far they are doing very well, and thanks to the smaller gaps in the centre, they roll much faster on tarmac than Mountain Kings do.
2 separate tyres would be better, but can you really be arsed to swap them over every time you go out? Suppose you could get a cheap set of wheels, but then maybe you'd be best looking at a cheap second hand road bike... (and so it begins!)
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speed kings are known for this; it's because of the tread design.
get something with closer spaced blocks and you will see less of this.
I'd try and find a compromise tyre before getting 2 sets.
Cheers all. Yeah, not sure that I can be arsed changing a tyre every time I go out. A second set of wheels could work, but that sounds like a faff as I'd obviously need rotors for the rear brake etc etc. I reckon a compromise tyre could be a plan - I'll wear down the Speed Kings and then make a call.
Cheers
Yeah, I noticed this with Speed Kings - the knobbles down the centre are spaced very wide & wear quickly.
Panarace Fire XC are a good tyre for on-road/off-road compromising - or look at something like Specialized Cross Roads, but then the compromise might shift the other way! Depends how GRRRRR! your off-road riding is. I used Crossroads on a bike years ago & they were surprisingly capable on & off road.
Your option of tyres to swap to is a non-starter in my opinion. You'll get fed-up after doing it 3 times and won't bother.
It might be worth considering a second hand/cheap set of wheels you can permanently have 'road' tyres on.
I've always wondered do people not get issues with chain slippage when using a second set of wheels?
Shouldn't be a problem if you are swapping regularly, and keep an eye on chain stretch.
seosamh77 - Member
I've always wondered do people not get issues with chain slippage when using a second set of wheels?
Thought this might be an issue, but haven't had any problems so far - and I tend to do loads more miles on the 'road' wheels, than the 'off-road' ones.
Next time the chain needs replacing I might buy 2 chains and use one for each set of wheels. Only takes 2 mins to change with a KMC quick link chain.
Ive also had this problem with mine. Got them on a special at On-one in the summer last year. they replaced a set of Panaracer XC pro, which are now on the bike after comuting to work more oftern.
I sometimes swap between the two, as i love the continentals.