Mountain bikes are a popular choice in both the off- and on-road biking worlds. When riding through the paved streets of a city, mountain bikes offer a slower but smoother ride than a road bike. To best adapt a mountain bike to city riding conditions, you must use tires that are better suited for concrete than mud and gravel.
Tire Diameter
Within some biking circles, it is believed that bigger is better when it comes to mountain bike tire size. The argument for larger tires is that they create a smoother ride by easily rolling over obstacles. Because the biggest obstacle you are likely to encounter in a city is a curb or pothole, having large wheels is less of a necessity. According to triathlon cyclist Dan Empfield on Slow Twitch, tires around 26 inches have a better downhill roll performance than larger tires.
Tire Width
The wider a tire, the more friction it creates against the ground as you ride. This can be a desirable quality when riding on loose surfaces, but can actually slow you down on a hard surface like concrete. According to cycling expert Sheldon Brown, the optimal tire width for a 26-inch tire is between 1 1/2 and 2 inches.
Tread
Tire tread is one of the biggest differences between a mountain bike used for off-road purposes and one used in a city. While an off-road bike may require a tire that has tall tread knobs to have traction in the mud, a mountain bike in the city should have low or nonexistent tread knobs to reduce rolling resistance and make for a more stable ride. Brown even advocates using smooth road tires on the bike, as they naturally grip the rough surface of the road and will not slow you down like mountain bike tires.
Tire Weight
You can further improve your mountain bike's performance in the city by cutting down on the weight of the tire. A tire that is only as wide as the rim and with little tread helps. You can also reduce the weight of the tire by purchasing those that use Kevlar instead of nylon. As an added bonus to the weight you save, Kevlar tires are more resistant to punctures from glass and other debris common on city streets.
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