MTB - Knobbies vs. Slicks

[cruiser]

Hi everyone,

 

Has anyone measured the difference in average speed between riding with knobbies and slicks on the road? I imagine there would be a difference however I am after and actual answer as opposed to the ob-vias.

Edited May 24, 2013 by cruiser

[Swart Kat]

Get a road bike for the road, its a sin to put slicks on a MTB! Just not right......

[MrJacques]

Unless it's a 29er

[DR ◣◢]

Hi everyone,

 

Has anyone measured the difference in average speed between riding with knobbies and slicks on the road? I imagine there would be a difference however I am after and actual answer as opposed to the ob-vias.

 

Quite hard to say as it greatly depends on the terrain you ride. Flat road could be anything up to 5km/h I think.

[Skubarra]

I was able to average about 3 - 4 km/h faster on my regular training routes using slicks. Open flat roads

[Smolly]

I feel dirty when I ride on tar

[porqui]

I would also say up to 5kph faster. Where you start noticing it is on distance rides. Knobbies on short rides you can pretty much keep up but you would have expended a lot more energy.

[Guest Kalahari ou]

 

Quite hard to say as it greatly depends on the terrain you ride. Flat road could be anything up to 5km/h I think.

 

I have done it... noticed a difference up to 10km/h depending on all the surrounding factors...

[Blackadder]

3-4 km for me too. That's average speed.Top end much higher, perhaps 10km down steep hills.

[KENDA]

Putting slicks on a Mtb can be compared with kissing your sister... I'd be too embarrassed to be seen on the streets with slicks. Sis man

[Guest Kalahari ou]

@kenda

[porqui]

Putting slicks on a Mtb can be compared with kissing your sister... I'd be too embarrassed to be seen on the streets with slicks. Sis man

 

Love riding my Giant Cadex (19yrs old) mtb on-road with slicks - no susp - the geometry just feels right.

 

Cherry on top is when you pass an S-works (road) with rider half your age.

 

Retro rules - tyres are almost as old as the bike.(came out with smokes)

Start season on Cadex - ride Argus on 30yr old Colnago steel frame. (Argus 3:15)

Edited May 26, 2013 by porqui

[Skylark]

Riding on tar with knobblies is the worst, the noise, the rattles, the oscillation from the knobblies going GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

 

Nevermind the feeling of constantly fighting against the rolling resistance.

 

Get slicks if you will be on the road all the time or doing a long distance all on tar. You can get semi slicks with are 90% of the way to slicks and roll virtually as nice, they are wider have slightly more aggressive tread and you won't totally fall on your ass if you go on loose stone roads,grass,mud etc