speedyspaghetti

Hey guys -

So I have a couple of vintage MTBs that I enjoy riding tubeless - I was running my Bridgestone MB-3 with 26x1.95 vintage Hutchinson tires, but I recently got a sidewall tear that doesn't want to seal up. I'm having a hard time finding 26x2.00 or smaller tubeless tires. The Continental CrossKings in 26x2.2 are the smallest I've found, but the rear triangle is already pretty much maxed out with the current tires.

Anyone know where to buy some tires that would work? I know Vee Tires have some in that size, but I can't see to find any retailers at all. Panaracer makes 2.1s, but those are probably still too big for this frame.

Thanks!

prj71

Since 26 is no longer a thing companies aren't going to invest a lot of time and money in making tubeless tires for the sizes you want. Your options are going to be limited or non existent. The money for tubeless tires resides in 27.5 and 29 right now.

70sSanO

Panaracer’s run a bit small. I’m running Fire XC Pros on the rear and those might be your best bet.

John

Have no idea what Hutchinson you have but...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/23173329908...YAAOSwsHhfoRzG

base2 

Panaracer Gravelkings tend to run a touch narrow in my experience. The 2.1's will probably fit anywhere a 2.0 was happy. Even if the casing was wider (I don't think it is,) Factor in the low pile of the knobs & you'll see why. In fact removing the knobs from the shoulder give me more frame clearance with the Gravelkings than with either the Specialized Crossroads or Hardrock'rs that were on the bike previously.

I was concerned as you were about fitment, but it was worth taking the chance. I don't do a great deal of slimy mud though.

You might try these: The fastest 26 inch tires ever in the history of the world. Ever. Seriously.

rogerm3d

I also run the FireXC Pros on the back of my mountain bike (GT idrive first gen) when I upgraded to tubeless (as they were the skinniest I could find at the time), they fit with a little room to spare. I had previously ran them on the front (in a time when 2.1 was a front tire size).

speedyspaghetti

Nice! I'll have to check those out - I did just find Continental RaceKings in 2.0 - so hopefully those work. Otherwise, I'll give the Panaracers a shot. My current tire is 26x1.95 but its on the more aggressive side knobs wise so hopefully the less aggressive RaceKing will fit.

Not super stoked about $30 shipping from China lol

speedyspaghetti

I saw those Rene's - so beautiful, pretty penny though. Have you used them before? They seem a little slick for the riding I like to do.

Yeah the Gravelkings might be worth a shot - they are pretty low profile compared to my current tires.

speedyspaghetti

Awesome, thanks for the input! I'll give those a shot in the future - hopefully I can find one that works. This Bridgestone seems to be the worst with regards to rear tire clearance - my Trek Mountain Track can easily clear a 2.2 and its from about the same time period.

base2 

I own a set. Ideally they are best for gravel/fire/forest service roads but any reasonably dry compact broken surface/rough road urban or rural is well enough. They roll fast. Like you would expect of a road bike tire.The über light weight is noticable.

I suppose, like any tire, it comes down to where & how you intend to use them. Most gravel riding rides & gravel bikes sold nowadays would've been considered "mountain biking" back in the '80's & early '90's...That is to say if you intend a great deal of loose dirt single track, mud boggin' & jumps, like mountain biking actually is practiced in 2021 there are knobbier tires better suited to that use.

I have Gravelking SK's on my cross-country hardtail, René Herse on my long-wheel-base off-road touring bike. IMO Gravelkings split the difference reasonably well & short of mud, I would have no problem choosing them in an instant if cost were even the slightest concern.

Darth Lefty 

Maxxis makes an Ikon in 26 but it's listed at 2.2

BikeLite

Continental Race King Shieldwall System is the tire..good find. Some reviews of those (made in Asia) are not good. The wire bead comes in 2.0 but is not tubeless ready.

speedyspaghetti

Ah ****... guess I'll have to cancel my order. So I try the Gravelkings then? Or the Fire XC?

eddiemac

Quote from base2 "I own a set. Ideally they are best for gravel/fire/forest service roads but any reasonably dry compact broken surface/rough road urban or rural is well enough. They roll fast. Like you would expect of a road bike tire.The über light weight is noticable."

Do you use the standard casing or the extralight? I was also looking at Rene Herse tires and wasn't sure if the extralight would hold up to the gravel/service road use you mentioned above....Thanks

base2 

Sorry for the delay. The quote function had an issue & I never got notified.
I have the extra light casing. I don't know that it really makes a tangible difference in ride quality. It should, but I don't know. The next go-round, maybe I'll try the standard casing for comparison.

I think the biggest thing is proper inflation pressure. With higher pressure the threads in the casing are pulled tight which makes them easier for a sharp rock or a bit of glass to cut. Less tight threads won't cut so easily as the tire will tend to deform around a bit of debris. Imagine pushing a knife in to a mop head or a bag of cotton balls versus pushing in to a sail or upholstry. The tight fabric will cut, the loose won't.

Thus far I think I've been lucky & have no issues to report with the extralight casings other than a poke with staple that I brought upon myself rolling over a debris pile at an intersection of 2 major arterials. Running tubeless would've rendered the staple a non-issue.

eddiemac

Thanks for the explanation on the extralight tires, I'm working up to trying them out.

70sSanO

Not that you would change rims, but rim width does play a part in tire width.

Running the same tire on 14mm, 17mm, 22mm the internal widths impact the width of the inflated tire.

John