Commuter tires

[Retrorockit]

As far as tires go I'm hooked on the Schwalbe Big Apple Plus (Supermoto in some sizes) tires. They're purpose built for fast E bikes. 50kph Pedlec in EU.
Not completely flat proof, but the deeper tread helps some.The grip is very good once the slick mold release coating is worn off. I've been seeing this on car and truck tires also. They used to use talc for this. This stuff is very slick when new.

[Retrorockit]

Just an update. I went to Stan's inside my tubes and so far so good. I also added the Lenzyne pump AZ recommended. The flat black color disappears on my bike so I don't think thieves will know it's there. So I have Stan's, a spare tube, CO2, and a pump for backup. Plus a patch kit for the tire casing itself. Hopefully no more roadside tube patching at night! Thanks AZ.

[Retrorockit]

If you hit a big piece of glass on concrete it's going to do some damage, and it's hard to avoid it at night. I carry patches, large and small, and a spare tube.Knobby tires that keep you up off of things, and soft surface are a lot different.

[AZguy]

I meant no sealant will fix a slice for the most part, patching can work if the slice isn't too large

I don't even carry patches anymore... maybe I might consider it if going deep into the boonies... the stans takes care of pretty much everything short of big damage so no way I'll ever do without it

[Retrorockit]

I've fixed big slices by the side of the road with a large tire patch glued inside the tire itself. It would have been easier without tire slime sprayed all over the place. I actually rode it for a long time that way. Filled the open crack in the tread with black RTV silicone.

[AZguy]

I've got >9000mi using stans with outstanding results

Nothing is going to handle a big enough slice though

If I make sure to turn the wheel so the valve stem is at the 5 or 7o'clock and sit for a minute or two before checking or airing have had very little issues with clogging

The stuff is super thin, not like slime

Clearly YMMV

[Retrorockit]

I would say the same or better. The deeper tread and softer compound give a little extra cushion.But not a big deal.

[Retrorockit]

I guess I'm going to put something I've found about inner tubes in here. Due to the hassle of fixing a flat on an IGH bike I tried some of the self sealing tubes. Also someone gave me a bottle of Slime tire sealer so I tried that too. Both items failed in a similar way. I did see some small leaks that had been sealed by the Slime, but when a large piece of glass cut the tube what a mess I had to clean up. The sealant is also not good for the inside of the tires. It dissolved the Sidewall of a Hutchinson Acrobat tire I used to run before going to Schwalbe.
The other 2 issues I found are that the valve stem core can get sealed up and be hard to remove for repairs, and even worse sometimes the sealant dissolves the bond between the metal tire stem and the tube itself. I've had the stem come out of the tube just from inflating the tire, and also from trying to remove the valve core. I'm over it with these things..

[Retrorockit]

I had to go overseas to get my 2nd BB+. The tire was $28 but with $15 shipping I didn't save any money really.

[73Eldo]

I guess when I was shopping I wasn't looking that much at price as much as who actually had them in stock. Lucky for me I was looking for 29's and found em, apparently not that many people doing slickish tires on 29's. I don't think I saw any 26's in stock anywhere all summer.

I was in the bike industry in the late 80's and early 90's there wasn't that much 'mail order' going on back then. I think Nashbar was about it, most people seemed to buy at their local shops because every town had one. 100% markup was the norm on some bikes and for sure all parts and accessories. Getting sort of back into it this summer I am amazed that with all the online shopping options worldwide that with like 75% of the major brands they are still holding a minimum advertised price and its still 100% markup. Can't be many industries where online is an option that have been able to maintain that. I guess the reason is is there are only a couple major distributors and one of them owns several popular brands so you make them mad not only do you loose the biggest and likely most reliable distributor you loose direct access to all their brands which could be a big deal depending on what sort of stuff your customers are looking for.

[ncmired]

I've also been using the Marathon and Road Cruiser (in 700C), Big Bens (in 26), Super Moto X (in 20 and 27.5), and for a splash of color the Fat Franks (in 26) - with the reflector strip when available.

I think they're particularly good for e-bike use and speeds, but for a pedal-only bike I'd pick lighter and more supple models.

Like for many bicycle components these days pricing for the same tire vary wildly, along with availability. My last tire pair came overseas via Chain Reaction Cycles - otherwise I use Amazon and eBay.

Recommended

[73Eldo]

Interesting. I considered BB's this summer when I was having trouble finding the BA's that had been recommended to me by several people. One of the things I was looking for was ride quality since I have a fully rigid setup and everyone told be BA's were the way to go so I searched and found a set in my size. Do you think the ride quality is more or less the same?

[Retrorockit]

I found a tire I really like, and thought I'd start a thread to share it, and see what tires other street riders like.
I'm using the Schwalbe Big Ben Plus 26x2.15, I was using the Big Apple Plus which was pretty good. But now that I've actually got the Big Ben+ in my possession I like them much better.
The basics for me are high volume, low pressure tires, reflective sidewalls, good flat protection, and a smooth running tread pattern.
The Big Apples had all of those, but the Big Ben+ adds a softer tread compound for high speed handling, an E bike 50kph (30mph) speed rating which is probably a legal requirement in EU.
The tread pattern (HS439) is about twice as deep as the Big Apple (HS430), so should give decent life, and much better traction in muddy situations (I tested this recently). It will also take a bigger piece of glass to get into the flat protection layers. Another difference is the BA+ is a grooved slick, while the tread blocks on the BB+ are textured. This wears away on the center but remains on the sidewall to help out if you have to lay the bike over in a turn. I haven't noticed a big hit on speed, or range with these. These are all heavy tires. The soft compound and deep tread seem more confidence inspiring on traffic circles. Just be aware that when brand new these tires will have a slick mold release compound on them and will be slippery at first. So break them in a little before speed testing them. I ride some tight circles to scuff in the sides. The diameter is the same but the BA+ is about 2mm wider overall. I did run the BB+ as a drive, and the BA+ as steer at first, but went with BB+ at both ends when I could get a 2nd tire.
These tires are almost always on back order so plan ahead if you want try them or have a spare.
https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_t...s/big_ben_plus

This tire has also been called the Supermoto X on other diameters and widths like 29"x2.75"
https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_t...s/super-moto-x