Will good quality 20" and 26" tyres become obsolete?
#26
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I will disagree with you there are a lot of European countries where there are lovers fo 26 inched wheeled MTB notably in UK, Spain, Italy, Germany , France, Sweden and Portugal. The MTB 26 inch started in mid 80's until 2006 where it was replaced by 27,5 and 29 which were not necessarily better. Are 26 inch Mountain Bikes obsolete is a good way to understand and see that 26 inch have still many days and fans even today. Another article asks if the 27.5 wheels are dead? and it says :"While 27.5 wheels are all but dead, it still remains on life support. When it comes to downhill and endurance riding, the 29 wheels seem to be stealing the spotlight, while 26 tires are still the best for regular bike riding, dirt jumping, and mountain biking." Another comparison between 29 vs 26 inch Wheels - Is bigger really better? and it says :"As for XC racing, the area where 29ers are really gaining traction, I feel the best wheel size will vary depending on the course. With lots of stop-start corners and steep climbs, a 26-inch wheel may be fastest. On bumpy trails where the speed is more consistent, go the 29er. If the course combines all of these traits, as is often the case, just toss a coin. In any case, no wheel size is going to win the race for you. Even at the elite level, where races are won by fractions, its the rider that wins the race. " 26er Bikes: 14 pros and cons to help you decide which says :"Based on their attributes, 26er bikes excel in areas where they can maximize their acceleration and strength. You will see them in extreme sports like Downhill Mountain Biking and Park riding, where the strength and reliability are more than needed." Many Olympic Cross Country, Downhill and Enduro winners and champions won their numerous titles on the 26inch Mavic Cross Max and Mavic Dee Max wheels which were the most winning wheels in these three disciplines.
#27
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Not to be that person but the third world hasn't existed since December 25th, 1991. Since the Soviet Union fell there is no need for 1st, 2nd and 3rd world because there is no aligning or not aligning with the Soviet Union anymore since it has ceased to be, it is no more. The "third world" was countries not aligned with either of the two major powers the U.S. and the S.U. Less developed or under developed countries makes more sense.
In terms of tire obsolescence probably won't be for another 50 years or more. Given that I can get just about any tire size these days quite easily I don't worry too much about it. Certainly as the slow march of time goes on you will see fewer options but it will be quite a long time. I can still get plenty of good quality 20" tires and 26" tires without too much work. Heck just bought some Schwalbe ISO 590 tires for the shop to sell and that is a well outdated size.
In terms of tire obsolescence probably won't be for another 50 years or more. Given that I can get just about any tire size these days quite easily I don't worry too much about it. Certainly as the slow march of time goes on you will see fewer options but it will be quite a long time. I can still get plenty of good quality 20" tires and 26" tires without too much work. Heck just bought some Schwalbe ISO 590 tires for the shop to sell and that is a well outdated size.
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#28
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What most 26" boosters are forgetting to mention is that most LBS do not carry quality 26" tires and need to be ordered or purchased online
And to the members who believe that outside the USA is full of 26" tires. I suggest you travel outside the USA.
The reason many people believe 26" tires are so popular in poorer nations is due to the fact that they get the older bikes donated. It will not be too long before the donated bikes are 27.5, 28, 29 and the 26 goes the way of the dodo.
Unless, of course, a cunning bike manufacturer comes up with a priceless ad campaign and re market the 26er as the latest fad after the gravel bike. Then the 26" tire will be reborn
And to the members who believe that outside the USA is full of 26" tires. I suggest you travel outside the USA.
The reason many people believe 26" tires are so popular in poorer nations is due to the fact that they get the older bikes donated. It will not be too long before the donated bikes are 27.5, 28, 29 and the 26 goes the way of the dodo.
Unless, of course, a cunning bike manufacturer comes up with a priceless ad campaign and re market the 26er as the latest fad after the gravel bike. Then the 26" tire will be reborn
#29
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You can still buy 28x1 3/4 single tube tires, which have not been used on factory bikes since 1932.
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For cruising-around tires, they will continue but the selection will continue to decline and they are already have. Good mountain bike tires have already become obsolete in the 26" size though.
#31
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Only 27 options on one page for MTB / Dirt Jump knobbies, from, Kenda, Conti, Maxxis, Schwalbe and Surly.
Slim pickings, indeed.
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https://www.biketiresdirect.com/search/26in-mtb-tires
Only 27 options on one page for MTB / Dirt Jump knobbies, from, Kenda, Conti, Maxxis, Schwalbe and Surly.
Slim pickings, indeed.
Only 27 options on one page for MTB / Dirt Jump knobbies, from, Kenda, Conti, Maxxis, Schwalbe and Surly.
Slim pickings, indeed.
https://www.modernbike.com/26-inch-tires+availableisyes
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The DHF/DHR ares till good designs. The rest are either super draggy or good for cruising around. Not sure if even one is tubeless. Hardly anyone uses tubes in MTB. The 26" bikes are pretty much vanished from even lineup and the tires are slim pickings
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https://www.modernbike.com/26-inch-t...ready-clincher
And that is not counting the fat tires > 2.5" wide.
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#35
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Still only Maxxis shows 2.3s and tubeless, mainly. Those are decent tires. If Maxxis gives, it's over for decent tubeless 26" MTB tires. The only other one is Schwalbe Nobby Nic old design. I actually used to use those in the mid-late 2000s. I'd hate to be in the 26 world now. Of course, I left it in 2008 and moved to 29ers. Then the 27.5" came on full force but they got wiped out to a large degree as well, though there is still a decent selection for them. There were 4-5 years where they were going strong and were thought to be the king, even unseating the 29er but that did not last long.
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Still only Maxxis shows 2.3s and tubeless, mainly. Those are decent tires. If Maxxis gives, it's over for decent tubeless 26" MTB tires. The only other one is Schwalbe Nobby Nic old design. I actually used to use those in the mid-late 2000s. I'd hate to be in the 26 world now. Of course, I left it in 2008 and moved to 29ers. Then the 27.5" came on full force but they got wiped out to a large degree as well, though there is still a decent selection for them. There were 4-5 years where they were going strong and were thought to be the king, even unseating the 29er but that did not last long.
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You can disagree all you want but as primarily a mountain biker since the 90s, I have seen the 26" selection degrade to almost nothing I'd use except for the Maxxis DHF/DHR. Even those are old molds. No new 26" tires so you are left with the old selection and most are not tubeless. Hardly anyone buys 26" MTBs as serious mountain bikes now so why will they keep making the tires? They don't. They just use the old Fire XC type of molds that are far inferior to today's tires that are mainly in 29 and som win 27.5. Goodyear just came in with a few and Maxxis has awesome tires like the Dissector, Forekaster, Rekon, Rekon Race. Specialized makes the Butcher and Purgatory plus a few other solid ones. Sure you can find a few 26" tires but there are very few good ones and no new designs, since 26ers hardly sell anymore. Not sure why you think the selection is amazing...the selection is awful. Are you a mountain biker? What tires do you run now? What type of trails do you ride?
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You can disagree all you want but as primarily a mountain biker since the 90s, I have seen the 26" selection degrade to almost nothing I'd use except for the Maxxis DHF/DHR. Even those are old molds. No new 26" tires so you are left with the old selection and most are not tubeless. Hardly anyone buys 26" MTBs as serious mountain bikes now so why will they keep making the tires? They don't. They just use the old Fire XC type of molds that are far inferior to today's tires that are mainly in 29 and som win 27.5. Goodyear just came in with a few and Maxxis has awesome tires like the Dissector, Forekaster, Rekon, Rekon Race. Specialized makes the Butcher and Purgatory plus a few other solid ones. Sure you can find a few 26" tires but there are very few good ones and no new designs, since 26ers hardly sell anymore. Not sure why you think the selection is amazing...the selection is awful. Are you a mountain biker? What tires do you run now? What type of trails do you ride?
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Otto
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You may think it is hype but look at any race. I raced the Firecracker 50 and several others. There are hardly anything but 29ers. The pros are on 29ers too. Of course, ALL our races have no tiny courses with tons of stop-and-go. I have ridden 26ers since the 90s. I'm faster and more stable than my 26ers and I had really nice ones....Yeti, Ventanas, Turner, Intense, and a Moots YBB. My trail club has around 200 riders...a dozen are on 27.5 and the rest on 29ers. Not a single one on 26er. I have ridden in Kansas City, Arkansas, Utah, Colorado, Washington and Oregon. Pretty much everyone is on a 29er though I see some females on 27.5, and a few shorter riders. I have been on MTBR.com since the 90s. The main complaint from the few on 26er is the lack of a good tire selection compared to what we have today for the rest. Glad you are happy. Most of us have moved on. Not everyone has to. I currently ride an Ibis Rimpo and Trek Top Fuel. I now race on a Santa Cruz Blur TR. I do get on a 26er every now and then since my buddy's guest bike is a pretty nice Turner 5-Spot. The difference is stark but our trails can be very twisty but are also fast and steep. As someone mentioned, the OP will be more than happy with his scooter tires.
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You may think it is hype but look at any race. I raced the Firecracker 50 and several others. There are hardly anything but 29ers. The pros are on 29ers too. Of course, ALL our races have no tiny courses with tons of stop-and-go. I have ridden 26ers since the 90s. I'm faster and more stable than my 26ers and I had really nice ones....Yeti, Ventanas, Turner, Intense, and a Moots YBB. My trail club has around 200 riders...a dozen are on 27.5 and the rest on 29ers. Not a single one on 26er. I have ridden in Kansas City, Arkansas, Utah, Colorado, Washington and Oregon. Pretty much everyone is on a 29er though I see some females on 27.5, and a few shorter riders. I have been on MTBR.com since the 90s. The main complaint from the few on 26er is the lack of a good tire selection compared to what we have today for the rest. Glad you are happy. Most of us have moved on. Not everyone has to. I currently ride an Ibis Rimpo and Trek Top Fuel. I now race on a Santa Cruz Blur TR. I do get on a 26er every now and then since my buddy's guest bike is a pretty nice Turner 5-Spot. The difference is stark but our trails can be very twisty but are also fast and steep. As someone mentioned, the OP will be more than happy with his scooter tires.
#44
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Back then, all we had were 26ers, so of course they ALL used them. Then they moved on. My last 26er was an Ibis Mojo. I really liked that bike a lot. Then I bought a Titus Racer-X 29er and was hooked. I was faster but it felt more stable at speed. I could keep up with the fastest buddies on the downhill, and I liked that 29er feel. Maybe it was because I'm 6 ft tall too. They say taller guys generally prefer the bigger wheels. Anyway, I don't care what people ride though my 7-8 favorite manufacturers do not build 26ers anymore.. If 26er fans can find tires/parts and like 26ers, go for it. Best to stock up a bit since they are vanishing fast. I'd buy some tires and (since I only use custom wheels) I'd also buy two sets of nice rims. My favorites were the Mavic XM819s at the time. I actually use Bike24 sometimes as well, and mainly for tires. They seems to be cheaper so I buy 6-8 Maxxis tires at a time.
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#46
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Back then, all we had were 26ers, so of course they ALL used them. Then they moved on. My last 26er was an Ibis Mojo. I really liked that bike a lot. Then I bought a Titus Racer-X 29er and was hooked. I was faster but it felt more stable at speed. I could keep up with the fastest buddies on the downhill, and I liked that 29er feel. Maybe it was because I'm 6 ft tall too. They say taller guys generally prefer the bigger wheels. Anyway, I don't care what people ride though my 7-8 favorite manufacturers do not build 26ers anymore.. If 26er fans can find tires/parts and like 26ers, go for it. Best to stock up a bit since they are vanishing fast. I'd buy some tires and (since I only use custom wheels) I'd also buy two sets of nice rims. My favorites were the Mavic XM819s at the time. I actually use Bike24 sometimes as well, and mainly for tires. They seems to be cheaper so I buy 6-8 Maxxis tires at a time.
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Im specifically talking about MTB tires here. Seems like everyone is still making lots of urban, e-bike and touring tires in 26.
Otto
Last edited by ofajen; 09-06-23 at 01:34 PM.
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People in this thread are correctly noting that 26" isn't as common in "developing" countries as it once was, but there are millions of 26" bikes out there and these bikes will continue to be in use for many decades, so I'd expect tire manufacturers to keep making tires for them. You're not going to find the latest wiz bang aero tubeless race tires in this size though.
#50
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The three recumbent bikes that I ride - two short wheelbase singles and a tandem that I share with my wife/stoker - all have 20"/406 front and 26"/559 rear wheels. Two Schwalbe Marathon Racers 1.50" on the tandem, Panaracer T-Serv 1.50" on both singles rear wheels and Panaracer Minits Tough 1.25"on one single's front and Kenda Kwest 1.25" on the other bike's front. All urban/touring type tires. Still not too hard to find tires in these sizes online. Closest I've come to mountain bikes was a 1985 Jamis Gentry city bike that came with Panaracer 559 radial ply tires with street tread.
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