babysaph
03-15-06, 07:36 AM
I am converting a raleigh mtn bike to a touring bike. Should I stick with the 26" tires or go to something different? This is all new to me. Thanks for the help. YOu guys have been great to help me
Touring - Tires for touring bike
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supcom
03-15-06, 07:43 AM
Something different? What do you have in mind? Since the frame was made for 26 inch tires, it will probably be easiest to stick with them. You should get a set of slick tires to replace any knobby tires.
MichaelW
03-15-06, 08:47 AM
You dont have any choice, the brakes are set for 26" MTB rims so you have to use those tyres. There is nothing wrong with the wheel size and you have a wide variety of different tyres to chose from.
For road touring use a slick tread. For some trail use, a semi-slick. Knobblies are not recomended, they are inefficient.
Width varies from about 1.5" upwards. Narrower tyres take higher pressure and are more efficient.
You can get even narrower slicks but these are for fast unladen road riding.
Schwalbe and Continental both make specialist touring tyres.
For road touring use a slick tread. For some trail use, a semi-slick. Knobblies are not recomended, they are inefficient.
Width varies from about 1.5" upwards. Narrower tyres take higher pressure and are more efficient.
You can get even narrower slicks but these are for fast unladen road riding.
Schwalbe and Continental both make specialist touring tyres.
babysaph
03-15-06, 09:45 AM
Where can I find a 1.5 in. semislick tire?
EmmCeeBee
03-15-06, 10:46 AM
Where can I find a 1.5 in. semislick tire?
You definitely want slicks, and you'll get a lot of votes here for different brands. Do a search here for "slicks".
My vote is for Specialized Fatboys, 26x1.25, at 95-100psi. My wife and I have been touring and commuting on them for years, could be over 80,000 miles total, and personally I'm not gonna go with anything else :) These are true slicks, no tread. Don't let that scare you, tread on bike tires isn't necessary unless you're in mud -- you don't need "semislick" tires for road touring.
-- Mark
You definitely want slicks, and you'll get a lot of votes here for different brands. Do a search here for "slicks".
My vote is for Specialized Fatboys, 26x1.25, at 95-100psi. My wife and I have been touring and commuting on them for years, could be over 80,000 miles total, and personally I'm not gonna go with anything else :) These are true slicks, no tread. Don't let that scare you, tread on bike tires isn't necessary unless you're in mud -- you don't need "semislick" tires for road touring.
-- Mark
supcom
03-15-06, 10:58 AM
Bike shop
Nashbar.com
Performance.com
biketiresdirect.com
specialized.com
And virtually anywhere that sells bike stuff.
Nashbar.com
Performance.com
biketiresdirect.com
specialized.com
And virtually anywhere that sells bike stuff.
MichaelW
03-15-06, 11:12 AM
The Schwalbe Marathon (http://www.schwalbetires.com/on_tour_touring.php) range are popular and come in 26 x 1.5"
The Plus version is a lot more puncture resistant but heavier.
I like a small amount of tread for riding unpaved trails. You can do it on slicks but if you have some rain and gradient, a little tread is helpful.
The Plus version is a lot more puncture resistant but heavier.
I like a small amount of tread for riding unpaved trails. You can do it on slicks but if you have some rain and gradient, a little tread is helpful.
coyotecrust
03-15-06, 05:00 PM
get continental top tour 2000's
you won't regret it
i'm pretty sure they make em for 26"
you won't regret it
i'm pretty sure they make em for 26"
Rogerinchrist
03-15-06, 05:06 PM
The Schwalbe Marathon (http://www.schwalbetires.com/on_tour_touring.php) range are popular and come in 26 x 1.5"
The Plus version is a lot more puncture resistant but heavier.
I like a small amount of tread for riding unpaved trails. You can do it on slicks but if you have some rain and gradient, a little tread is helpful.
My vote goes with these.
From MichaelW's link click the "city" on the left to see the Marathon SLICK.
The Plus version is a lot more puncture resistant but heavier.
I like a small amount of tread for riding unpaved trails. You can do it on slicks but if you have some rain and gradient, a little tread is helpful.
My vote goes with these.
From MichaelW's link click the "city" on the left to see the Marathon SLICK.
Neato
03-15-06, 06:42 PM
The Schwalbe Marathon range are popular and come in 26 x 1.5"
The Plus version is a lot more puncture resistant but heavier.
I run the 26x1.75" SM Plus on my tourer with zero flats. They are certainly heavy (~1kg each) but I gladly trade the weight for less flats on the road. When my current set needs replacing, I will probably opt for the 1.35"
The Plus version is a lot more puncture resistant but heavier.
I run the 26x1.75" SM Plus on my tourer with zero flats. They are certainly heavy (~1kg each) but I gladly trade the weight for less flats on the road. When my current set needs replacing, I will probably opt for the 1.35"
onbike 1939
03-16-06, 03:23 AM
The Schwalbe Marathon (http://www.schwalbetires.com/on_tour_touring.php) range are popular and come in 26 x 1.5"
The Plus version is a lot more puncture resistant but heavier.
I like a small amount of tread for riding unpaved trails. You can do it on slicks but if you have some rain and gradient, a little tread is helpful.
+1
The Marathon is a fine touring tyre and very puncture resistant. The "PLUS" version is a bit over the top and heavy for your needs.
The Plus version is a lot more puncture resistant but heavier.
I like a small amount of tread for riding unpaved trails. You can do it on slicks but if you have some rain and gradient, a little tread is helpful.
+1
The Marathon is a fine touring tyre and very puncture resistant. The "PLUS" version is a bit over the top and heavy for your needs.