26" MTB Tyre Choice

[CharlieAlphaMike]

I'd appreciate some help please. I'm in the process of finishing a full service on my Pace RC200 F6 (pictures will follow for those who are interested in Retro Bikes ). I will need to change the tyres at some point. It's currently on WTB Velociraptors front and rear (26" x 2.1). With 27.5" and 29" being the 'norm' these days, I'm struggling to find a suitable tyre. And yes, I have been all over Google but it's not helping much.

I could probably go to a 26" x 2.25 at a push but I'd prefer to stick with 2.1's and would be happy with another set of Velociraptors. Are they still available? Where can I get them from? I have seen Panracer Dart's and Smoke's for sale and used these many years ago. I liked them too but what else is available? What would you recommend? Are there any online retailers you'd recommend?

Thanks in advance

[lufbramatt]

can still get Panaracer Fire XC in 26x2.1 (appears to be out of stock in a lot of places but my Dad bought a pair a couple of weeks ago, so they are still in production).

Schwalbe still do 26" tyres, best bet seems to be the german websites

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/shop/mtb-tyres-26-...

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/shop/mtb-tyres-26-...

[CharlieAlphaMike]

lufbramatt said:

can still get Panaracer Fire XC in 26x2.1 (appears to be out of stock in a lot of places but my Dad bought a pair a couple of weeks ago, so they are still in production).

Schwalbe still do 26" tyres, best bet seems to be the german websites

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/shop/mtb-tyres-26-...

https://www.bike-discount.de/en/shop/mtb-tyres-26-...

Thanks. I've been looking on bike-discount. They do seem to have a good choice of 26" tyres but not many in 2.1. Are Schwalbe tyres any good? I've got them on a very rare Beach Cruiser but that's a different thing altogether, where tyre choices aren't so critical. Have you got any experience with using the Fire XC tyres?

[lufbramatt]

Yea Schwalbe are great, run them on my mountain bike and road bike, they do different compounds and casings depending on use/price/weight so check what you're getting. My mtb has Hans Dampf/. Rock Razor and I've had zero punctures running them tubeless for the last 2 years and the grip is really good. Likewise I've been really impressed with the One Pro Evo TL tyres on my road bike.

I've still got Fire XCs on my 26" hardtail, they work well, better than the old Smoke+Dart combo I had years ago but they do seem really narrow these days! Great on hardpack, ok in mud, struggle on the rocky stuff due to the smaller volume.

[CharlieAlphaMike]

lufbramatt said:

Yea Schwalbe are great, run them on my mountain bike and road bike, they do different compounds and casings depending on use/price/weight so check what you're getting. My mtb has Hans Dampf/. Rock Razor and I've had zero punctures running them tubeless for the last 2 years and the grip is really good. Likewise I've been really impressed with the One Pro Evo TL tyres on my road bike.

I've still got Fire XCs on my 26" hardtail, they work well, better than the old Smoke+Dart combo I had years ago but they do seem really narrow these days! Great on hardpack, ok in mud, struggle on the rocky stuff due to the smaller volume.

Thanks again I'll take a closer look at Schwalbe. The narrower tyres are obviously something I'm really used to and these days, most of my riding is along forest trails which are full of 'loose stone stuff'. I do some single track riding too and a lot of that is along tree rooted tracks. Mud is rarely an issue but there are a few climbs on loose stuff where grip is important.

I replaced my Smoke/Dart's with Velociraptors (which I thought were comparable) but they are just about beyond being useable now so need replacing. It seems like a good time to do it during this big strip down/service.

[seiben]

I've just bunged a set of 26 x 2.2 Bontrager XR2 Comps on my retro-mongrel Univega (although googling suggests stock may be limited!).

They are relatively cheap, lightweight and roll very nicely. Plenty of air volume, too.

[cml24]

I've got a set of 2.1" smart sams on mine as I do a reasonable amount of 'boring' bridleways etc, so they're a bit lower rolling resistance.

Also, they were really cheap!

[leyorkie]

https://www.cycletyres.fr/listing.php?conseil=1&am...

French site but lists 75 tyres available 26” x 2.1
I think they have a uk site

[CharlieAlphaMike]

seiben said:

I've just bunged a set of 26 x 2.2 Bontrager XR2 Comps on my retro-mongrel Univega (although googling suggests stock may be limited!).

They are relatively cheap, lightweight and roll very nicely. Plenty of air volume, too.

Thanks. I've never tried Bontrager but I know the brand. I'll take a look. I tried a 26 x 2.5 Maxxis DHF for size but it was just too big. A 2.2 will fit for sure so this could be a good option.

Nice looking bike

[MC Bodge]

Schwalbe tyres are excellent.

I have them on my road bike, cross bike, Singlespeed 26er and 29er.

[CharlieAlphaMike]

cml24 said:

I've got a set of 2.1" smart sams on mine as I do a reasonable amount of 'boring' bridleways etc, so they're a bit lower rolling resistance.

Also, they were really cheap!

Thanks. I've been looking at those on Schwalbe's website. I'm still getting my head around the different compounds

[CharlieAlphaMike]

leyorkie said:

https://www.cycletyres.fr/listing.php?conseil=1&am...

French site but lists 75 tyres available 26” x 2.1
I think they have a uk site

Thanks. I haven't come across this company before so will take a look.

[CharlieAlphaMike]

MC Bodge said:

Schwalbe tyres are excellent.

I have them on my road bike, cross bike, Singlespeed 26er and 29er.

Thanks. I've got a set of Schwalbe tyres on a beach cruiser but that bike gets very little use and whatever use it does get, isn't really a challenge for a tyre. It's good to know you use them and rate them.

[MC Bodge]

CharlieAlphaMike said:

MC Bodge said:

Schwalbe tyres are excellent.

I have them on my road bike, cross bike, Singlespeed 26er and 29er.

Thanks. I've got a set of Schwalbe tyres on a beach cruiser but that bike gets very little use and whatever use it does get, isn't really a challenge for a tyre. It's good to know you use them and rate them.

I have done 1000s of miles on them, on and off road. Multiple sets.

[CharlieAlphaMike]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I might try a set of Schwalbe Nobby Nic's (although I'm really struggling with the name ).

Before I commit, has anyone had any experience with Hutchinson Tyres https://www.hutchinsontires.com/en/category/mtb? I like the look of their Gila tyre for the front and Toro tyre for the rear. I know nothing about the brand though. Are they part of Michelin? Are they any good?

[MC Bodge]

Nobby Nics are excellent tyres for a range of conditions. I use the tubeless ready ones without tubes on my mtbs.

I had a set of Hutchinson tyres many years ago. I don't remember much about them.

A lot comes down to personal preference, terrain and riding style/aggression.

[CharlieAlphaMike]

MC Bodge said:

Nobby Nics are excellent tyres for a range of conditions. I use the tubeless ready ones without tubes on my mtbs.

I had a set of Hutchinson tyres many years ago. I don't remember much about them.

A lot comes down to personal preference, terrain and riding style/aggression.

Thanks again

[yellowjack]

CharlieAlphaMike said:

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I might try a set of Schwalbe Nobby Nic's (although I'm really struggling with the name ).

Before I commit, has anyone had any experience with Hutchinson Tyres https://www.hutchinsontires.com/en/category/mtb? I like the look of their Gila tyre for the front and Toro tyre for the rear. I know nothing about the brand though. Are they part of Michelin? Are they any good?

Nobby Nics are good. I use 'em in 27.5" size. Racing Ralphs in summer conditions. And a Nic up front with a Ralph on the rear wheel a lot of the time.

My 26" hard tail is wearing "road rubber" at the moment, for shopping, etc. But when it goes off road it usually wears a pair of Maxxis Beaver tyres.

Maxxis own site lists them in a variety of specifications, either 26 x 2.00 or 26 x 2.25 inch. Not sure where you can get them now though, as I've not bought them in a while. The Beavers thrive in wet, muddy conditions but are soft compound so do wear quickly if you do any tarmac miles getting to/from trails.

[CharlieAlphaMike]

yellowjack said:

Nobby Nics are good. I use 'em in 27.5" size. Racing Ralphs in summer conditions. And a Nic up front with a Ralph on the rear wheel a lot of the time.

My 26" hard tail is wearing "road rubber" at the moment, for shopping, etc. But when it goes off road it usually wears a pair of Maxxis Beaver tyres.

Maxxis own site lists them in a variety of specifications, either 26 x 2.00 or 26 x 2.25 inch. Not sure where you can get them now though, as I've not bought them in a while. The Beavers thrive in wet, muddy conditions but are soft compound so do wear quickly if you do any tarmac miles getting to/from trails.

Thanks. Nobby Nic's are looking like the favorites at the moment. Beavers (where do Schwalbe think these names up ) are listed and available but they seem to be best suited to muddy conditions. My riding is mostly on harder ground these days, with some loose stuff on hills. I have been thinking about a Nic on the rear, with a Racing Ray (front specific tyre) on...errr...the front.

How do you find the Ralph on the rear? That was another thought I had, Ray front, Ralph rear. The Nic's have a slightly more aggressive tread though which I think will be better on my climbs.

[MC Bodge]

For all-round, year-round riding, Nobby Nics will do the job well. I've used them for trail riding on rocks, in mud and for XC racing. Tubeless are a faff to change so I didn't bother.

Some people overthink these things.