Best Commuter Bike Tires

When you’ve found the perfect bike, bag, rack, and helmet, you’re all set for bicycle commuting, right? Not quite – the right tires are an often-overlooked part of the package, and they can make all the difference for biking around town. Here are four of the best tires for commuters, blending traction, durability, and low rolling resistance on pavement. All are available in 26” diameter, the most common wheel size for mountain bikes and hybrid commuter cycles.

Continental Travel Contact Tire – 26 x 1.75

The Continental Travel Contact has a long-standing reputation as a road-friendly mountain bike tire, and for good reason. A slick center line provides easy rolling on pavement, while heavy treads on the sides offer traction on gravel or rough surfaces. The Travel Contact weighs 695 grams, and a Kevlar bead under the tread works with the Duraskin sidewall to provide excellent puncture protection.

The Continental Travel Contact Tire is available for $33.96 at Amazon.

Panaracer Tourguard Pasela Slick Tire – 26 x 1.5

The Panaracer Tourguard Pasela is a good option for riders who want a slightly more aggressive tread pattern for rough pavement or wet weather. The tradeoff is a bit more rolling resistance, but the narrow 1.5” profile keeps weight to a streamlined 460 grams. An aramid fiber (Kevlar) belt under the tread helps resist penetration punctures.

You can find the Panaracer Tourguard Pasela Slick Tire at REI for $32.

Serfas Drifter City Tire – 26 x 2.0

Do you usually keep your mountain bike on the pavement, but still hit the dirt from time to time? The Serfas Drifter can handle serious trail rides better than many crossover designs, thanks to its inverted tread pattern and 2” diameter. But the 630-gram Drifter is still pavement-friendly thanks to its smooth center track, and the puncture-resistant 69-durometer rubber is extremely durable.

The Serfas Drifter City Tire is available at Amazon for $28.

Michelin City Trekking Tire – 26 x 1.4/1.85

The Michelin City Trekking Tire is definitely for road warriors who rarely venture off the pavement. A nearly slick tread pattern provides excellent acceleration and speed for road riding. These tires aren’t lightweights (625 grams for the 1.4 diameter version, or 835g for the 1.85) but the “Protek Plus” reinforcement under the tread provides solid protection against flats. Reflective sidewalls help increase rider visibility in low light conditions.

You can find the Michelin City Trekking Tire at Amazon for $23.99 or $24.99, depending on tire size.