Commuter meats for an mtb?

[KarlHungus]

Lookin to throw some commuter/urban tires on the hardtail to ride to work and school...

I've searched, came up with a few questions:

From what I've found some of ya'll using... Is the kevlar lining necessary? How much does it help? Worth the extra coin?

What size should I be thinkin about, 1.5? Bigger? Smaller?

Any recommendations? Want cheap, good wear, grip, weight, (just like everyone always wants i suppose)
Thanks Much

[Spats]

For city and commute duty, go fat. Cush ride, rolls just as fast, no worries about snakebites.

I use and recommend Primo Comet Kevlar-belted in a 1.5: big, cushy, light, tough, 100 psi. Do NOT get the non-Kevlar belted version or you'll have flats every 30 feet.
http://www.calhouncycle.com/productc...&idproduct=111

Ritchey Tom Slick 1.4 are extremely cheap and readily available, but no kevlar belt = more flats.

If you want the fattest slicks ever, Ritchey Moby Bites are 2.1". Haven't used them, though.

I used to roll the Conti GP 1" slicks. Fastest thing, right? Nope. The fatter tires actually roll better. The GP is lighter, so you *accelerate* faster, but it doesn't help your top speed, and the ride is roadie-harsh.

[KarlHungus]

yeah, the guy at the shop recommended the tom slicks... but no kevlar so i was wondering if that's really worth it. He said he uses them and hasn't had a flat for a year... probably just luck i guess.

anyone else? thanks folks

[72Twenty]

I used to have slicks on my fully rigid Kona Fire Mountain for commuting and I ran it against road bikes in the duathalon a few years back. I got some cheapy slicks (1.95's) from Pyramid (through J&B importers) and they lasted FOREVER. I gave them to a friend somewhere along the line and I bet they are still in use. I think they were about $7 each wholesale (I worked in a shop) so I'd bet they would have gone for around $22-$24 for the pair at retail.

[gravitylover]

I run the Serfas 1.5 on my commuter rig. Kev belt and deep inverted tread. Rolls fast and corners like it's on rails. I'm currently using them in NYC, flat central, they are seemingly bombproof and don't mind big drops off concrete landscaping, loading docks and steps. I'm running them on phat rims though, the Alex DM24 so they have a really round profile.

What bike are you putting them on? I'm using a purpose built full rigid with discs and a SRAM X7 8 speed trigger/X7 der setup.

[KarlHungus]

What bike are you putting them on? I'm using a purpose built full rigid with discs and a SRAM X7 8 speed trigger/X7 der setup.

This... http://www.marinbikes.com/bicycles_2...4_wildcat.html

Marin Wildcat Trail, agressive hardtail with hyrdro discs, my rims are mavic xm117
I know its not the best components but i got a good deal and would rather spend my money on a new fork form my full suspension rig

[gravitylover]

Heh, you know that's not going to be the most comfy bike to sit on for extended periods right. With a long travel fork I'd go for a fatter tire than a 1.5 to be able to take advantage of the playfulness of the bike.

[KarlHungus]

oh i know, not goin for extended periods. yeah, fatter tires seem the way to go since i could still hop off crap and what not. thanks all.