Finding a tire for a mountain bike that works equally great on streets and trails is pretty challenging since you have to create a balance between traction and rolling resistance. MTB tires built for trail riding feature deep tread for maximum traction but offer low rolling resistance. On the other hand, tires built for on-road touring have less aggressive patterns that offer fast rolling but limited traction.
In addition to that, you need to consider other factors like durability, sidewall construction, puncture resistance, weight, and many more. After testing various options on the market, I’ve shortlisted those options that combine low resistance with decent grip, traction, and speed.
Best Mountain Bike Tires for Street and Trail Overview
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Friendly | Budget Friendly
 |
MAXXIS Hookworm Wire Clincher Tire |
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| Premium Pick | Premium Pick
 |
Street Fit 360 Mountain Bike Tires |
|
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| Heavy Duty | Heavy Duty
 |
Kenda Tires K838 MTB Tires |
|
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| Best Overall | Best Overall
 |
Continental Ride MTB Tire |
|
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| Editor’s Choice | Editor’s Choice
 |
Finccie Slick Tire for MTB Hybrid Bicycle |
|
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 |
Elecony Foldable Replacement Bike Tire |
|
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 |
Michelin MTB/Road Wire Bead Tire |
|
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7 Best MTB Tires for Street and Trail Review
To help you find the best mountain bike tire for street and trail, I’ve reviewed the seven best options available in the market.
1. MAXXIS Hookworm Wire Clincher Tire for Street and Trail
Specifications
- Dimensions: 29.5 x 1 x 29.5 inches
- Tread: Slick/Symmetrical
- Tensile Strength: 65 psi
- Material: Rubber
I’ve been looking for a set of tires offering a balance between stability and speed for my Mongoose Dolomite MTB for a while. Mongoose Dolomite uses knobby ultra-fat tires that offer incredible stability on tough trails.
However, these tires are beefier enough to hold down your speed and affect the ease of handling when you are on the street or on paved roads.
After reading dozens of rave reviews on various platforms I finally decided to make a purchase. It’s been around 50 miles on these tires and they are so far impressive in terms of handling and speed. I do a lot of street riding for my everyday commute and occasional trail riding. These tires have very little rolling resistance that simply boosts up your speed on both paved roads and off-road trails.
The tire comes with a symmetrical bead-to-bead curved pattern. It offers incredible traction and stability on all types of terrain from streets, to cement sidewalks and gravel to off-road trails.
Another thing that I loved about this tire is that it is built to last. The single compound construction combined with a 60 TPI rating makes them exceptionally rugged. In addition to MTBs, these tires are equally suitable for cargo bikes and pedicabs.
The tires are pretty easy to install if you have a good set of levers. If you are not skilled enough I highly recommend a professional fitting for a trouble-free experience. The tire is designed very well and offers incredible performance.
However, these tires are slightly overpriced as compared to some other options in the class. Plus, this tire is slightly heavier than other MTB street tires.
What I Like?
- Even tread pattern
- Single compound for optimized longevity
- Combines speed and stability
What I Don’t Like?
- A little heavier
Why I Recommended MAXXIS Hookworm Clincher Tire
MASSIX Hookworm Wire Clincher tires feature 60-tip 2-ply rubber construction and reinforced sidewall for incredible performance for both street riding and trail riding. With an impressive balance between speed and stability and very little rolling resistance, this is the best mountain bike tire for streets and trails.
Before buying a 24 inch bike, you must read what age is a 24 inch bike for
2. Street Fit 360 Mountain Bike Tires
Specifications
- Dimensions: 26 x 24 x 2 inches
- Tread: Directional
- Tensile Strength: 65 psi
- Material: Rubber
If you don’t want to spend a big amount on a hybrid tire like Hookworm Wire Clincher consider Street Fit 360 tire. It is an all-around bike tire designed to be equally suitable for street and trail riding.
The rolling resistance of the Street Fit 360 tire is low but not as low as the Hookworm wire clincher. The tire is thin but since it features a directional tread pattern instead of symmetrical the rolling resistance is slightly higher.
The tires offer incredible grip and traction on both off and paved bicycle tracks. The directional tread pattern enhances the control while lower rolling resistance helps you retain a decent speed even on tough rides. Another best part of this tire is that it is exceptionally quiet on all terrain types. The tire came very well packed and I found it pretty easy to install.
However, if you don’t have the right tools, it is better to go for a professional installation service. The tire features wire bead premium grade rubber construction for optimized durability and performance in the long run.
Street Fit 360 is an ideal option for everyday commutes and trail riding but it’s not for you if you are a speed enthusiast. Due to the directional tread pattern, its speed is somewhat limited as compared to its symmetrical counterparts.
What I Like?
- Low rolling resistance
- Wire bead rubber construction
- Competitively priced
What I Don’t Like?
- Not built for speed
Why I Recommended Street Fit 360 Tires
Street Fit 360 tires combine premium build quality with a thin profile making them equally suitable for off-road trails and paved paths. Its low rolling resistance coupled with impressive traction on all terrain types make it the best mountain bike tire for street and trail.
If you’re looking for a 26 inch tire, have a look at best 26 inch mountain bike tires article.
3. Kenda K838 MTB Tires – Best Tire for Mountain Bike on Road
Specifications
- Dimensions: 14.5 x 14 x 4.9 inches
- Tread: Slick Curved
- Tensile Strength: 65 psi
- Material: Rubber
The next option to make its way to the list is the Kenda K838 hybrid bicycle tire. It features a symmetrical curve tread pattern and offers the lowest in-class rolling resistance for maximum speed and ease of handling.
It is a competitively priced option that is made for hybrid riding needs. The design is inspired by traditional motorcycle tires and offers stability on tough terrains.
The best part of this tire is that it offers stability and grip without limiting the speed. Its smooth edges with water dispersal allow you to go smoothly through ice and gravel. The dedicated water traction eliminates the need of slowing down the bike for handling and grip. The tire features premium-grade wire bead rubber construction.
It lasts longer than your expectation and offers reliable performance for many years to come. The tire is 1.95 inches wide and offers exceptional stability when you go off the road. The biggest issue with this tire is that it is not made for a direct fit. You need a professional installation to make it a perfect fit for the rim.
What I Like?
- Lowest in-class rolling resistance
- Dedicated water traction
- Competitively priced
- Solid build quality
What I Don’t Like?
- Requires professional installation
Why I Recommended Kenda Bike Tires
Kenda K838 is one of the very few tires that promises water traction and off-road stability along with a very low rolling resistance. The tire combines a premium grade construction with a symmetrical curved tread pattern making it one of the best mountain bike tires for street and trail.
4. Continental Ride Tour Replacement Mountain Bike Tire
Specifications
- Dimensions: 12-28 x 2 x 12-28 inches
- Thread: Continuous Center
- Tensile Strength: 65-112 psi
- Material: Rubber
Continental Ride replacement bike tires are one of the most dependable options you can buy for everyday commute and occasional trail riding. The tire is made with the needs of tough terrains in mind and offers incredible traction.
The tire is available in a wide range of sizes and offers a direct fit with a wide range of rim sizes. To create a balance between traction and low rolling resistance, the tire features continuous tread patterns.
The continuous center tread coupled with gnarly knobs offers incredible cornering ability for maximum stability and comfort. It allows you to go smoothly from the twisty paths on tough trails without limiting the speed.
With class-leading rolling characteristics, these tires help you boost up the speed without limiting the safety and stability. The tire is available at a very competitive price point and offers enhanced puncture protection. To make the tire puncture-proof on off-road trails, it comes with an extra puncture protection belt.
Another thing that I loved about Continental Ride tour bike tires is the speed. It’s a fully ECO tire made for the needs of E-bikes. Its low rolling resistance coupled with enhanced turning ability helps you get exciting speed on bike trails and paved roads.
What I found a little annoying about Continental Ride tour tires is the subpar build quality. This tire features rubber construction that is highly prone to cracking and expansion with normal use.
What I Like?
- Fully ECO tires for impressive speed
- Wide range of sizes
- Continuous tread for maximum stability
- Enhanced puncture protection
What I Don’t Like?
- Subpar quality
Why I Recommended Continental Replacement Bike Tire
Continental Ride tour tires help you get speed on the street and trails without sacrificing stability and safety making it the best mountain bike tire for street and trail. With incredible cornering ability and low rolling resistance, this replacement tire stands among the best street tires for mountain bikes.
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5. Finccie Slick Tire for MTB Hybrid Bicycle
Specifications
- Dimensions: 26 x 1.95 x 26 inches
- Tread: Slick/Symmetrical
- Tensile Strength: 40 psi
- Material: Kevlar, Rubber, Nylon
Finccie Slick Tire for MTB hybrid bike stands among the best all-around tires for street and trail riding. These tires are designed for the needs of on-road riding but offer good traction and grip on uneven bicycle trails.
The tires offer a direct fit with 26-inch MTB and hybrid bike wheels. The premium-grade nylon rubber compound promises stable performance for many years to come.
The slick tread pattern in the tire is designed for fast rolling and excellent speed on all terrains. The symmetrical thread allows you to get a safe speed blast on the streets and paved roads. However, tread grooves are deep enough to provide the required traction on regular bike trails around the town. The tire comes at a very affordable price.
Since it is built for occasional trail rides it doesn’t handle the pressure of serious trail riding very well. The fast-rolling slick pattern offers decent speed but the sidewall is highly prone to damage if you touch high speed on the uneven surface. The tires are made for a direct fit with the 26-inch MTB and hybrid bike tires making them pretty easy to install.
What I Like?
- Highly affordable
- Slick tread for fast rolling
- Effortless installation
What I Don’t Like?
- Cannot handle serious off-roading
Why I Recommended Finccie Slick Tire
Fanccie Slick tire offers class-leading quick rolling action making it the best option for street and paved road riding. Its ability to provide grip on uneven trails and rugged rubber compound construction makes it the best mountain bike tire for street and trail.
6. Elecony Foldable Replacement Bike Tire
Specifications
- Dimensions: 26/27.5/29 x 2.10 inches
- Tread: Slick/Symmetrical
- Tensile Strength: 65-110 psi
- Material: Rubber
Elecony Foldable replacement bike tire with ultra-fast rolling action is another best mountain bike tire for street and trail. Its TPI rating is 30 which is probably the lowest in the class of MTB tires.
30 thread per inch means fast speed and minimum rolling resistance. It reduces the riding energy required and makes your street rides exceptionally comfortable. Also, it allows you to ride at a fast pace on off-roading bike trails.
In addition to that, its fully symmetrical tread pattern doesn’t limit the grip and traction. Even on rough trails like mud and gravel, the tire helps you stay intact and stable without lowering the speed.
Although it is a competitively priced option it doesn’t compromise the quality. The tire features the industry’s best rubber construction with flexible woven fabric components.
With impressive wear resistance, it allows you to reach tough trails with maximum confidence. Sidewall durability is another big concern of the riders especially when they go off the road.
Unfortunately, this tire doesn’t offer very good sidewall protection. Many people reported that the tires wobble a lot due to the sidewall puncture issues in the off-road trails.
What I Like?
- The balance between speed and traction
- 30 TPI for faster rolling
- Highly affordable
What I Don’t Like?
- Lacks sidewall durability
Why I Recommended Elecony Foldable Bike Tire
ELecony Foldable Replacement MTB tire is a perfect option if you go on occasional off-roading. Its low TPI rating enhances its rolling ability and speed without limiting the safety and stability of the rider. With all these features I can safely recommend it as the best mountain bike tire for streets and trails.
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7. Michelin MTB/Road Wire Bead Tire
Specifications
- Best For: MTB and Road Bikes
- Dimensions: 26.75 x 26.75 x 1 inches
- Tread: Slick/Symmetrical
- Tensile Strength: 65
- Material: Rubber
The final option on the list is the Michelin Run’r wire bead tire. What sets it apart from all other options on the list is impressive water traction and unbeatable grip on the uneven road.
With a less aggressive slick tread pattern, it helps you glide smoothly at an impressive pace. The low rolling resistance gently lifts up your on-road touring performance and costs less energy even for longer rides.
Its tread rating is only 33 treads per inch. Although its rolling resistance is low it doesn’t limit the stability and grip on the off-road biking trails. Its tread depth is very impressive and improves off-road traction. Another standout part of the tire is dedicated water traction. Its water dispersal design makes it pretty easy to ride on challenging trails like mud and gravel.
Despite having a deep tread the tire is exceptionally quiet on on-road touring making it a perfect option for the everyday commute. Its side wall is also built really well which improves the cornering performance on the twisted paths.
The puncture resistance is good enough to withstand casual trail riding. The tires are a perfect hybrid option for street and trail riding but unfortunately, its quality didn’t come up to my expectations. 2-ply rubber compounds wear out more quickly than their nylon counterparts.
What I Like?
- Deep tread for maximum grip
- Ultra quiet on-road performance
- Impressive cornering performance
What I Don’t Like?
- Mediocre build quality
Why I Recommended Michelin MTB Tires
Michelin Wider Run’r with a low TPI rating and impressive tread depth is the best mountain bike tire for street and trail. The fast-rolling action combined with puncture-resistant sidewall gives you confidence on the tough trails.
You can also have a look at best road bikes under $500
FAQs about Street and Trail Bike Tires
Can you use mountain bike tires on the road?
Mountain bikes use fat tires with aggressive tread patterns. These tires do not offer smooth rolling on paved roads making them less suitable for roads. For street and road touring you must equip your MTB with thin tires featuring slick or symmetrical tread patterns.
Can I turn my mountain bike into a road bike?
Yes, you can easily turn your mountain bike into a road bike by replacing its beefy aggressive tires with slick thin tires. If you have enough budget you can replace the suspension and braking system also.
Do MTB tires wear faster on asphalt?
Yes, MTB tires wear much faster on pavement or asphalt than on the trails. However, advanced tires with single compound construction and enhanced sidewall design water more slowly than regular rubber tires.
Can I use a mountain bike on a trail?
Yes, you can use a mountain bike on a trail if it is equipped with the right set of tires, brakes, and suspension. City bikes and cruiser bikes may not work on off-road trails. You must equip your MTB with high-quality off-road tires for a safe and stable experience.
Wrapping Up MTB Tires for Street and Trail Review
I’m hopeful that this review post will enable you to figure out the best mountain bike tire for street and trail. All the options on the list are tested for quality and performance and you won’t regret it if you make a purchase. My top three picks from the list are:
- MAXXIS – Hookworm Wire Clincher Tire for symmetrical tread, durable single-compound construction, and higher puncture resistance.
- Street Fit 360 Tires, 26″ x 1.95″ for a competitive price, lowest in class rolling resistance, and impressive grip on trials.
- Continental Ride Tour Replacement Bike Tire for class-leading speed, impressive puncture protection, and affordable price
Finally, I highly recommend choosing a set of tires with single-compound construction. A single compound construction enhances the tire’s wear resistance on the paved road. Also, it improves the puncture resistance when you go off-road giving you the best value for money.
If you are searching for quality cycling products with better guidance, especially mountain bikes and their accessories, I am here to give this valuable information to you. Now you have trusted place to choose your needs from standard product collection.