The 26" Tire and Wheel Thread
 

Since so many of us are riding vintage mountain bikes, in so many different ways, and tires and wheels are getting harder to find, I thought it would be a good idea for us to pool our resources.

For instance, I've been running Kenda Cityhoppers on my commuterized RockHopper, mostly because they're brown (and inexpensive). They also flat a lot, so I just ordered some DTH tires. They should be here in a week or so; I'll let you know how they work.

https://cdn.maxxiscentral.com/tyreim...mage-DTH_l.png

A lot of riders recommend the Panaracer Pasela, and I notice on their website, a) they have a variety of Paselas, and 1. they don't seem to go any wider than 26 x 1.75".

What's your favorite flavor of Pasela? How do they ride?

The Maxxis DTH tires are pretty nice. I have run the 26" version in the past and am running the 20" version on my (vintage) BMX bike currently.

The best version of the 26" Pasela is not a Pasela. The brand Fairweather has Panaracer make them a 26" version of the Pasela with a lighter, more supple sidewall called "For Cruise". It's a nice tire, again 1.75" wide.

Rene Herse (fka Compass) makes the Rat Trap Pass at 2.15" wide. The premium 26" option for slicks.

Here's a (incomplete) list of tires I have compiled over the years. I don't know if the Kojak still exists. I ended up buying the Naches Pass and they are awesome. Compass, now called Rene Herse, has a few other models of 26" tires but they are pricey. I am now realizing that my price in that chart is low. They start at $71/tire and go up from there. Sheesh. https://www.renehersecycles.com/prod...tires/26-inch/
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6e73fd2410.png

I really like the 26" Pasela, but wish it came in wider widths. The "1.75" only measures about 1.65" for me (although they technically fulfill the "42-559" on the sidewall.)
https://cdn.bike24.net/i/mb/88/bf/06...0-d-337679.jpg
I'm riding 26"x1.8" Compass Naches Pass tires right now, and they're comfy and zippy (dig the "optimized tread"), but still only measure about 42-43mm. Pretty sure I have the clearance, so I might spring for the ~2.1" Rat Trap Pass when these wear out. :love:

https://i.imgur.com/WU50maG.jpg

Oh, and in the winter it's 1.95" (allegedly) Nokian/Suomi Mount & Grounds. They make anything else feel fast and smooth when spring rolls around. :lol:

https://www.bicycle-touring-guide.co...unt-ground.jpg

We use the 1.75” Pasela on our tandem. No real complaints, but I agree a 2” version would be great to see.
I have Kojaks on my drop bar Stumpjumper. They got a bad rolling resistance score in one test, but they feel fine to me. They are decently light.
I have Big Apples in my errand bike. Great tires for knocking around, but pretty heavy.
Everyone gushes about the RTP tires, but the price has scared me off so far.
Interested in the DTH report.

I like Kenda Kiniptions. They're FAT (26 x 2.3"), reasonably priced ($30-35 each), and roll easily.
Some may sneer at the Kenda name or the advertised weight (775 grams), but honestly they feel much lighter.
Part of that may be they're rated for up to 80psi.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...24783260c8.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e1b8d70e16.jpg

I have RTP's on my Squarebuilt for most of the year, but I put Panaracer Ribmo 26 x 2.0 on it for the winter. They measure about 48 mm. Definitely not as nice as RTP's but pretty nice nonetheless.

I also have a pair of Continental Speed Kings, I think. I think there are several varieties of those, so I'll have to check exactly what I have. They are nice, and have a more aggressive tread than the others I mentioned. I must measure them again, but I think they're 53 mm wide.

I'm SO happy to see this thread. In the process of commuterizing an old Marin and have been curious what everyone is riding and for what purpose. I'll be mostly on pavement or hardpack. I may be in a minority but outside of Paselas I haven't seen a lot of narrower gumwall tires at the 26" size.

Currently I'm on very cheap Kenda Kwests at 1.5 width. Working fine in the interim but the roll resistance is pretty crummy.

I have:

Maxxis DTH. (folding 2.15) I love them. I have three sets. Great tires for general purpose/ cruiser/hardpack/ gravel use. Recently ruined one by a maladjusted brake pad.
Conti X-Kings. (folding 2.2) They come in both folding and wired versions. They are a pretty good all around MTB tire. They roll acceptably on short rides on tarmac and grip well on the trail except thick mud..
WTB Velociraptors. (folding 2.1) A dedicated front-rear combo. The cats ass if the going is soft and muddy. Confident handling on almost all surfaces. Be careful on roots and limbs especially if they are wet. The front sometimes will slide along instead of bouncing over it. They actually handle decent on tarmac but roll terribly and howl like mud grips on a monster truck. Will replace with X-kings or something similar soon. The rear is starting to get worn.
WTB Thickslicks.(rigid 2.0) I hate them. They feel heavy and slow. I guess maybe they look cool to some people. They came on a bike I bought. Will probably throw them away.
Kenda Nevegals.(rigid 2.2) Have decent grip as a mtb tire but feel heavy and slow. Have a nice look to them though in my opinion which is their only redeeming quality.
Kenda K841A Komfort. (rigid 1.95) Pretty heavy but roll ok. I have them on an old mtb I turned into a grocery getter.
Bontrager Connection Trail. (rigid 1.95)These seem to be the same tires that come on every crappy box store mountain bike. They are ok on dirt, ok on pavement.
Continental Ride Cruiser. (rigid 2.2) Not really impressed but they are a cheaper tire. They really balloon out, had to air down to get past U-brakes. Had them on one of my vintage mountain bikes that I used as a cruiser. Took them off and replaced with DTHs.

Schwalbe Durano foldable 1.1, 28mm - light, fast road tire , no flats for 2000km on good asphalt, makes my drop bar-ed 26er to feel almsost like a road bike, i use them for exercising for climbing a couple a short steep hills with less traffic. Discontinued in 2020.

Continental Grand Prix foldable 1.1, 28mm - light, fast road tire , rated better in rolling resistance test than the Durano, but i couldnt find much difference between them, 2000km no flats on good asphalt. Excellent option if you want your drop bar-ed 26er to feel almost like a road bike.

Geax/ Vittoria Street runners 1.25, 32mm - solid slick but heavy, because of extra material for protection, sold them because they were not as fast rolling and light as the 1.1 tires , nor as comfortable as a wider tire.

Geax/Vittoria Street runners 1.6, 40mm , a bit heavy because of extra material for protection, but quite comfortable, ok for mixed terrain- asphalt and some gravel off the road.

I just got a pair of 26"x1.8" Compass Naches Pass tires. I also ride the Continental Sport Contact. I haven't gotten out yet on the new Compass tires due to weather, so it will be interesting to try them.

We had 2.125" tires on our tandem, and they were wide enough to cause occasional rubbing against the fender. I had to adjust the fenders frequently. When it was time to replace them, I browsed for quite a while. I wanted a slick or slick-ish tread, as we only ride this bike on roads. The Michelin Wild Run'r is fairly light and comes in a 1.4" size. I thought it might be too narrow and therefore harsh, but we don't notice any worsening of ride. We use 80 psi to avoid a squirmy ride. I'm happy with these tires.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f4fb52aa54.jpg

I run Panaracer protite 26 x 1.75 tires on my 1993 Bridgestone XO 2. They're good tires and work well for riding gravel.

I run Schwalbe marathon touring supreme 26 x 2.0 on my 1993 Bridgestone MB 1. They're fine all around tires as well.

I run Continental 26 x 1.75 folding contact travel tires on my 1992 Trek 950. They're very good tires as well.

I have a 1992 Specialized Stumpjumper on the build queue. I plan on doing a drop bar conversion. I haven't decided on the tires yet but I'll find something 2.0 or a bit wider for them.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...462f0a4fbd.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...16c7b07d43.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f2e4c97272.jpg

I also use these tires and have for many years. For the price I think there amazing and proper road bike fast tires, I really don't feel disadvantaged in a road group on my mtb. Cornering decending from the hills is fun too. Also have Kojaks in 700c same width but feel there sluggish compared to Wild Run'r

Don't buy Michelin Pilots they puncture at the sight of clean smooth bitumen. :twitchy:

Anyone have any exprience with the Eastern Growler BMX tires? I like the look of the tread for tarmac and paths but that huge logo is atrocious imho.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6f3943f3b4.jpg

Cool tires and nice bike. I don't sneer at the Kenda name; my off-pavement ride has Small Block 8's and I really like them; they're light, fast, and grabby.

Interesting tread, and atrocious logo.

If I wasn't a poor country mouse, I'd so grab a pair of Natches Pass. The tragedy of having champagne taste and a Kool-Aid budget.

Your winters are very different from mine. Mine are just wet, with temps usually in the 30's and 40's F.

One day, I noticed they were listed for $43 each on the site. Perhaps they were blowing out the last remaining non-tubeless-compatible ones or something, but I snagged a pair while I could. :)

If these didn't exist, I could still be pretty happy on 26"x1.75" Paselas. They were about $25 the last time I bought, looks like they're closer to $30 now.

Hudson308 , I forgot to ask; what pressure are you running on those Kiniptions?

Oh, that all mountain bikes would die an warrior’s death and go to Stovokor. The only thing sadder than a hardtail tamed with slick tires is a daully tamed with slick tires. My bikes are commuter ready but they are all ready for battle. The Dean has Racing Ralphs

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...555a1a9c_k.jpgUntitled by Stuart Black, on Flickr

The Moots has Maxxis Ardent race

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a2dc42dd_k.jpgUntitled by Stuart Black, on Flickr

and my Epic has good ol’ Darts and Smokes. I’ve done up to 60 miles a day on knobbies.

What site was this?! That's like finding buy one get one Thomson seatposts!

It was on the Compass/Rene Herse site itself! I worried that if I inquired about the price, they would just "fix" it, so I made my order and it went through!

Who knows, maybe it was like a drug dealer giving out discounts on the first hit. I would find ways to rationalize paying $71 each for them now... :lol: