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Raleigh mountain tour (Elkhorn) 26 inch tire help

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Raleigh mountain tour (Elkhorn) 26 inch tire help

Old 07-18-21, 08:57 AM
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Egginahole
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Raleigh mountain tour (Elkhorn) 26 inch tire help

In the middle of a restoration of a 1985 Raleigh Mountain Tour Elkhorn. Goal is commuter/cruiser style

This is 26 x 2.125 stock tires on 26 x 1.75 rims.

I received feedback that if I used 26 x 2.15 tires that chain rub would happen when using the small ring. (Schwalbe Big Ben)
I'm not looking to do any drive train modifications and would like all gears to work without issues
​​​​​​
Ideally I'd like to do some tan/brown/creme or tan side wall tires.
Any suggestions for 26x2.0/2.1/2.125 tires


Not particularly interested in the cheap CST, Duro, Sunlite
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Old 07-18-21, 09:10 AM
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I don't have any real experience- other than a vague desire to kinda get big fat tires on either of my ATBs. I thought the entire deal was clearance at the stays- I'm not entirely sure how the chain and or ring would be affected by tire size- as the tire is inside the chain stay and both the chain and the chainring are outside the chain stay.

I will say that I got a couple sets of Compass/Rene Herse tires on a couple of 700c bikes. They're awesome. People have said great things about the Rat Trap Pass tires- but I don't entirely know if they'd fit in an 80s ATB.

You should post pix.
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Old 07-18-21, 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Egginahole
In the middle of a restoration of a 1985 Raleigh Mountain Tour Elkhorn. Goal is commuter/cruiser style

This is 26 x 2.125 stock tires on 26 x 1.75 rims.

I received feedback that if I used 26 x 2.15 tires that chain rub would happen when using the small ring. (Schwalbe Big Ben)
I'm not looking to do any drive train modifications and would like all gears to work without issues
​​​​​​
Ideally I'd like to do some tan/brown/creme or tan side wall tires.
Any suggestions for 26x2.0/2.1/2.125 tires


Not particularly interested in the cheap CST, Duro, Sunlite
One answer might be Rat Trap Pass. Their "2.3 inch" nominal labeling was a choice that Panaracer made because it uses the same silicone bladder as their 2.3" MTB knobbies and they didn't want mixups on the production floor; the actual size of RTPs on most traditional 26er rims is in the 2.1" neighborhood.

Last edited by HTupolev; 07-18-21 at 10:11 AM.
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Old 07-18-21, 10:41 AM
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The bike is currently in pieces. No useful photos. I'm working on the drivetrain today so maybe later.

Those Rat trap are definitely the most premium and supple ride out there

Couple tires in the BMX world look interesting.

The Maxxis DTH 26X2.15, 52/54-559. Interesting with the Etrto that it lists 2 different widths. Rims size, or min max psi?

It's direct competition Schwalbe Billy Bonkers
54-559 (26 x 2.10)

Cult Vans 26 x 2.1

Not sure how any of these treads would hold up/ feel on mostly pavement and some hardcpack
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Old 07-18-21, 10:56 AM
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Like Golden Boy, I'm having trouble picturing how a moving to a narrower tire would cause chain rub. I use and like the Continental Contact Speed tire on an older mountain bike for road/trail use. They are available in a range of widths. No tan side-wall though.
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Old 07-18-21, 11:02 AM
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Your tire choices sound kosher for the "cruiser/commuter" style you are going for. Let me add Schwalbe Fat Frank to the mix. Here they are on my 1983 Miyata Ridge Runner. They are listed as 26 x 2.35, and I've not put a caliper to them, but there is at least 5mm clearance at the chainstays, so no problems there. They roll pretty smooth and light for their size as well.


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Old 07-18-21, 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
I'm not entirely sure how the chain and or ring would be affected by tire size- as the tire is inside the chain stay and both the chain and the chainring are outside the chain stay.
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Old 07-18-21, 12:31 PM
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I don't have an exact answer for the tire rub concern even if it fits inside the chain stay. This was feedback I asked for from a fellow member that has owned a Crested Butte for a number of years and has tried different tires. The Big Ben gave him the tire/ chain rubbing issue with stock drive train. The Elkhorn is set up basically the same way.
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Old 07-18-21, 08:37 PM
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You may also want to consider Schwalbe Kojak 2.0s...I love.the Compass RTP.. they're awesome (and pricey). The Kojaks have become my go-to retrofit tire choice... They're all black and look really cool on any bike. And they roll extremely well.
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Old 07-18-21, 09:24 PM
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I've only ever gotten front derailleur/chain contact with a 2.4" or larger tire. I would think anything 2.2" or smaller would be fine.

The oldest MTB I have is a Technium with a triple and 6spd 126mm rear hub. Has the Maxxis DTH tires in 2.125" or whatever they call it, clears everything, even has room for fenders I think.

The Maxxis DTH comes in skinwall, so does the Panaracer gravel king.
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Old 07-19-21, 09:50 AM
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Not as much room as that sweet Miyata
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Old 07-19-21, 10:52 AM
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My desire to use colored balloon style tires doesn't look like it going to happen this time around.
Continental has the Contact Cruiser in a 50-559 but the colors aren't available anywhere.
​​​​​​
​​​​​​Basic options are the 2.1 gravel tires listed above or a more durable cruiser tire in black.

Thanks everyone for trying to work through this.
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Old 07-22-21, 08:46 AM
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Incase anyone was curious. I picked up a couple used non matching gravel style low tread tires. 2.0 in rear 2.1 in front. Should provide a good test on ride quality before investing in new tires.


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Old 07-25-21, 02:05 PM
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I've been using 2.10 Continental Town & Countrys on my commuter for a few years now...been doing pretty well for me. However, I've read some poor reviews of the tire, as used in heavy touring. Not sure it's a heavy touring tire, though.
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Old 07-25-21, 03:36 PM
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The Panaracer GravelKing SK in 26x2.1 would be nice if you can find them. They come in tanwall or blackwall, are tough with some small knobs (hence the 'SK' moniker) and roll fast. The 26" are really tough to actually BUY right now. I've been waiting to use them on my '85.5 Miyata Ridge Runner SE.
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