tyres for uk coast to coast ride

[jeffhop]

can anyone recommend a decently priced semi slick tyre for on and off road as im about to do the c2c (uk) on my faithful xpx. a good price is vital as im not made of money ( but my son thinks i am) the ride will probably be spent 50-50 on and off road, i have a few ideas but i would appreciate some input. my current tyres are irc mythos but they are like driving a  4x4 on tarmac.  thanks

[Sprucey]

IRC do a semi slick which is a good half way house. £12 - £13.00 for wire beaded option.

Alternatively, Nokian do various Boazabeana semi slick tyres. Around 312.00 each upwardes, depending on version.

The ultimate (in my book) is the Conti double fighter but the original has been discontinued and they are hard to come by now.

Sprucey

[Matno]

Lots of decent options. I've been riding on a pair of Ritchey WCS semi-slicks, and I love them (high end, but I got them on eBay for $20 for the pair!)

Also have a set of Bontrager Revolt SS's, which are fantastic as well. Got them for $20 as well - they were available all over the web for that price. Nice light kevlar bead tires. Not sure if they're still around.

Schwalbe also had some nice ones available cheap on this side of the pond earlier this year. Probably easier to find over there...

I've heard great reviews on these as well: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27954&item=7160633064&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[jeffhop]

funny you should mention the wormdrive as ive been having a close look at them but have yet to find a review of them, and theyre cheap over here!  

[Matno]

Try here:

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Tire/product_23273.shtml

It's the lightweight version, but there's not much difference on normal rides...

[rapiddescent]

I would not suggest going for a semi slick on the coast to coast because even if it is slightly wet then you'll just not benefit from having that extra grip.  I'd go for a nokian/specialized firexc pro but have them at 60psi.

callum
rds

[jeffhop]

well ive decided on some panaracer mach ss semis that came recommended by my lbs, incidently while i was in the shop i spied a totally original proflex beast with girvin dual crown forks and even the original girvin chainset. according to the shop owner it was about to be thrown in a skip when he persuaded the owner to get it serviced!! its probably in better condition than my xpx and also has magura hydraulic rim brakes, im going to keep an eye on it and maybe make a daft offer for it when its serviced. i cant believe someone was going to throw it away!  such a waste.

[Colin]

Hmmmmmm, sorry, a bit late now you've bought them, but I have been using a set of these (panaracer mach ss semis) for "light" XC and they don't have much grip at all, (imho), particularly downhill grassy sections when they just lock up and sliiiiiiiiiiiiidddddddeeeeeeee!

so I've gone back to my trusty Psycho's!

P.s. when I have done the Ridgeway, Icknield way, Peddars way, South Downs way and the Lakes section of the C2C (on my XP-X). I have just stuck to my "Knobblies" and accepted any slight drag on tarmac sections. Although I avoid tarmac whenever poss. At high pressures they don't seem to drag at all!
It all comes down to how many miles you need to do a day, we generally stay quite low with just 6 hours of actual cycling each day.

Col.

[jeffhop]

the ride is planned to happen over 2 days max so im looking at about 80  miles a day. i dont think there will be much technical riding due to the miles we have to cover, as its for charity i think its a case of getting it done and not trying all the technical climbs and descents, that will come next time  ive tried the tyres out over the weekend in a monsoon and found them ok on wet gravel similar (so ive been told ) to a lot of the offroad sections we will be riding. ive bought them now so its a case of like it or lump it!

[Colin]

The best of luck with it and let us have a full report afterwards!

Col.

[ianc]

Hope this went well - I'm guessing you meant the C2C on sustrans/gravelly type paths, disused railway lines etc rather than the 'proper' offroad one? That's about 250 miles and took us 8 days as a bunch of 16 year olds, but is well worth the effort. It takes in some of the best riding in the country through the lake district, pennines, dales and north york moors, there is a guide book about it detailing the route, available on www.mtbuk or somewhere... You'd want 'proper' tyres for that one though, lots of rocky descents, moorland singletrack, grassy climbs, woody bits, everything really! Good luck on your ride, maybe when you've done that the other could be your next big ride!

Ian