vvv TODO vvv

• check if the 2.35"ers will fit my frame
• check if they'll fit my rim
• does NiagraCycleWorks really stock 2.15" Big Apples? here they say yes, here they say no
  • the 2.0" Marathons look good otherwise, though it's a bit heavy
• Schwalbe ships directly!! buy the appropriate one here (though it's more expensive than other places)

^^^ TODO ^^^

Why do I need 2.0" slicks? 99% of my riding is urban riding, but I want to be able to ride up curbs with aplomb. It's so nice to be able to do tricks with confidence that your tires will be okay (unless you do something really stupid).

general requirements

• NO center tread — increases rolling resistance, and certain tread patterns MARKEDLY INCREASE the likelihood of picking up and hanging on to broken glass in the street. (tread with thinner gaps between the tread allow glass to 'stick' between the blocks, allowing the glass time to work closer to your tube)
• Not a "negative tread" tire — In theory, these are a good compromise between onroad riding and offroad. In reality, they're heavier than offroad "positive tread" tires (ie. they're actually WORSE for street riding than normal offroad tires), and they're much heavier than a tire with almost no tread.
• only use ONE fat tire (on the rear) — When you're hopping up and down curbs, you rarely get pinch flats on the front tire — all your weight is on the back tire. Using anything but the lightest available tire on the front is just a waste of weight. (however, this DOES mean you have to carry two different spare tubes with you at all times, which is a nuisance, and it somewhat offsets the weight loss)

specific tires

• 2.0"
  • Ritchey Moby Bite — 26x2.1", 60psi, 620g, $30
    awesome reviews: good durability, great in the street
  • Schwalbe Big Apple — 26x2.0", 70psi, 745g, $35
    great reviews: good durability, great in the street
  • Kenda Kommuter MTB Tire — 26x2.0", 85psi, 570g, $20
  • Kenda Kwick Roller Sport — 26x2.0", 80psi, 572g, $26 (I can't find these anywhere, but apparently you can buy them directly from Kenda by calling 866-536-3287)
    • found them here?
  • Kenda Kross — 26x1.95", 65psi, 620g, $15
  • Schwalbe Marathon Supreme — 26x2.0", 70psi, 635g, $60
• 2.3"
  • Panracer Uff'Da — 26x2.3", 65psi, 980g, $25
    good reviews (other than the obvious weight issue)
  • Schwalbe Super Moto — 26x2.35", 55psi, 690g, $60 (outstanding reviews)
  • Schwalbe Smart Sam, 26x2.25", 65psi, ~650g, $30
  • Kenda Kiniption Tire — 26x2.3", 80psi, 840g, $24
  • Schwalbe Racing Ralph — 26x2.25", ?psi, ?g, $?
    review notes that it wears really fast
• 2.5"
  • Maxxis Hookworm — 26x2.5", 65psi, 1250g, $26
    awesome reviews (other than the huge weight issue)
  
  
  
• negative tread tires (I'm NOT considering these, but if I did, these might be some of the top ones)
  • Continental Town & Country MTB Tire
  • Michelin Pilot City Commuter Tire

see also

• UniversalCycles.com has a nice, complete category of mountain slicks