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Hey folks, looking to turn my 90's MTB into a quasi "gravel" bike - whats the best 26" tyres for this ?
Cheers
I'd very much like to register my interest in this, I've managed to find a 26" wheeled gravel bike for Hatter Jr but it comes with slicks, and pretty heavy, thick ones at that, not much good off road.
'Moon-On-A-Stick' spec i'm after is
26 x 1.8" (around 559- 40 in Metric)
Fast Off road tread think Maxxis Rambler/Kenda Small Block
Tubeless Ready
Light and Supple.
Closest option I've found so far is the Rene Herse Naches Pass TC in 26 x 1.8" but that's also a slick really.
Was hoping to find some nice old school tubless 1.95" racing ralphs or something along those lines but they seem pretty rare these days.
I used to love DMR Moto RT tyres back when i had a 26".
So so fast and smooth but a bit bigger than you are looking for. Worth a look though if you can find them.
Conti trafic are another option that come in 1.9 but Motos are faster rolling even at 2.2 width in my view.
Continental Double Fighter?
Also
Kenda Small Block 8 DTC K-1047 Folding Tyre 26x2.10" black skin (2020)
Search for kenda on ebay. They have some to choose from on the drop down menu.15 pounds each too.well done for keeping a 90s bike running.
Look at Maxxis DTH BMX tyre 26x2.15 or 2.3 though
Schwalbe Billy Bonkers 26.2.1
Both above look good for gravel/light off road, and skinwall options in both if you want to be Radavist-style
Or schwalbe CX comp in 26x2.00
or schwalbe kojak 26x2.00 - slick but reasonably tough
Conti travel contact. Puncture proof, grippy, fast on road, just about useful offroad. I have several sets on bikes. come in 1.75 and 2" flavours
Tredz have an 'urban MTB' category that I keep an eye on. Those Billy Bonkers look interesting.
second billy bonkers. fast and light.
I woulnd't be put off by a slick, very useful on all sorts of dry and wet surfaces, and not much worse and a file tread or dirt jump tyre where the surface or your riding style means you'd really need knobs - in which case you don't want a gravel tyre.
https://www.renehersecycles.com/why-we-dont-make-gravel-tires/
and
https://www.renehersecycles.com/why-we-dont-like-shoulder-knobs/
interesting articles those...
Gravel bikes seem to be all about 650b and 2.1 mountain bike tyres these days, if you're planning a majority of off-road.
Before I bought an actual gravel bike my 26er hardtail with 2.2 inch continental race kings was fast as hell on dry singletrack, and acceptable on the road. I miss that tyre volume on my gravel bike 🙂
When I turned my 90s M-Trax MTB into a multi-surface tourer (which is what I look for in/label a ‘gravel bike’, that or an ATB) I used 35c Marathon Racers for road and surfaced paths/trails, or 1.75 Schwalbe Landcruisers for fireroads, light singletrack etc. (ie everything else). Also Silento which is fast-rolling but not quite so knobbly
For the stiff alu ‘gravel’ hardtail MTB (2001 Cannondale F-series) I used 2.35 Big Apples. That was a hoot all summer.
Before I bought an actual gravel bike my 26er hardtail with 2.2 inch continental race kings was fast as hell on dry singletrack, and acceptable on the road.
Yep, good choice. I used Race Kings for a few years and rode mostly gravel and easy singletrack.
Before you commit to 26" wheels, try a 700c wheel with different sized tyres.
I'm able to get a 700c wheel with a 50mm tyre into my 2005 Vodoo Bokor, and I'm sure it would be easier with 1990s frames with their longish stays.
If not a 650b will almost certainly fit.
Works very well.
Have a look at the Islabike 26" CX tyres maybe... https://www.islabikes.co.uk/product/accessories/tyres/islabikes-mixte-tyres/
I'm pretty sure you can get Gravelking SKs in 26".
Michelin Wildgrippers.
In green.
Skinwall.
Oh yeah...
I have schwalbe big apples on my 93 clockwork. They’re super fast on the pavement and do ok on gravel etc. Not much grip in the mud but if you’re sticking to the gravel Rd they’re fine.
Yep, good choice. I used Race Kings for a few years and rode mostly gravel and easy singletrack.
+1. Currently using them for my gravelmode 29er.
Disclaimer: have to be careful at higher pressures in this dry time, sometimes losing grip cornering on dry gravel. ymmv
Before you commit to 26″ wheels, try a 700c wheel with different sized tyres.
I’m able to get a 700c wheel with a 50mm tyre into my 2005 Vodoo Bokor, and I’m sure it would be easier with 1990s frames with their longish stays.
If not a 650b will almost certainly fit.
Works very well.
What about brakes on older frames? Guess unless you have disc mounts you're stuck? I have an early 00's Gary Fisher which could make a decent gravel beast. It has those strange 22mm brake mounts on the back but relies on V-brakes for stopping. Guessing in this instance I'd have to stay 26" and check out some of the tyre options described above.
Apologies for the slight hijack
Sim Works Super Yummy is now available in 26"
+1 for schwalbe CX comp - cheap, fast rolling, and a side knob if things start to slide
Go full 3 peaks with a set of landcruisers?
I put a pair of Specialized Crossroads on my 26" hardtail and they work really well. Riding from home to Cannock Chase is more like doing it on the road bike and once there they handle the rough stuff pretty well.
Cheap as chips too.
Race kings or whatever PX have got super cheap.
What about brakes on older frames? Guess unless you have disc mounts you’re stuck? I have an early 00’s Gary Fisher which could make a decent gravel beast. It has those strange 22mm brake mounts on the back but relies on V-brakes for stopping. Guessing in this instance I’d have to stay 26″ and check out some of the tyre options described above.
You can still buy the adapters to IS mount
and
You can still buy the adapters to IS mount
and
A2Z Bicycle Frame Disc Brake Adaptor – Parallel to IS
Perfect, thanks 🙂
Those Panaracer SK's look damn near perfect so long as his bike has enough clearance, I was hoping for around 40c, those are 54c so they may be a bit too snug.
If not theose Islas will fit the bill, may contact Islabike to see if anyone's had any joy running them tubeless.
Thanks for the responses, quite a few oprtions I wasn't aware of.