Wide supple 26" tires for commuting vintage MTB build?
11-19-16, 11:36 PM
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Wide supple 26" tires for commuting vintage MTB build?
Any favorites in this category? I am looking for a comfy set of tires to complement my 1986 Bridgestone MB-2. I picked up this bike on ebay so I could build a commuter / city bike with upright North Road bars and comfy, 2" tires. I have low back issues so comfort is key.
I purchased a set of 55-559 Big Apples (Raceguard) a couple months back but am now thinking of selling these and going with something else, maybe Kojaks? The Big Apples are a little heavier than I expected them to be...
https://www.schwalbetires.com/node/3540
I keep hearing great things about Rat Trap Pass tires from Compass, but I'm not sure if I can justify the cost. And I'm not sure that they will fit my bike with fenders, which is almost a must. (The 55-559 Big Apples measure at 50-51 mm and are already giving me clearance problems with fenders).
Honestly, I really won't be taking this bike off city streets. I just want a comfy tire that rolls relatively fast and handles low pressures well.
I purchased a set of 55-559 Big Apples (Raceguard) a couple months back but am now thinking of selling these and going with something else, maybe Kojaks? The Big Apples are a little heavier than I expected them to be...
https://www.schwalbetires.com/node/3540
I keep hearing great things about Rat Trap Pass tires from Compass, but I'm not sure if I can justify the cost. And I'm not sure that they will fit my bike with fenders, which is almost a must. (The 55-559 Big Apples measure at 50-51 mm and are already giving me clearance problems with fenders).
Honestly, I really won't be taking this bike off city streets. I just want a comfy tire that rolls relatively fast and handles low pressures well.
11-19-16, 11:58 PM
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Panaracer T serv protex tires are reasonably light weight, reasonably flat proof, and reasonably priced. I'm running a set--26 x 1.75--on my gravel bike. They're fine tires.
Last edited by bikemig; 11-20-16 at 12:13 AM.
11-20-16, 12:26 AM
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Maxxis DTH. Lightweight puffy BMX tire with a relatively smooth tread. Comes in skinwall also 
Got one for $35 off Amazon last week for a new vintage MTB project.
EDIT: the skinniest these come is 2.15, so it might not work for you
Got one for $35 off Amazon last week for a new vintage MTB project.EDIT: the skinniest these come is 2.15, so it might not work for you
Last edited by TenGrainBread; 11-20-16 at 12:37 AM.
11-20-16, 12:35 AM
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Rat Trap Pass is a great tire. But if you're staying on city streets, and would like to have better clearance, Compass has narrower options. You won't be able to beat the suppleness of those. SOMA has a few 26" tires for less money. Panaracer Paselas are available in 26", and are a great value tire.
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11-20-16, 03:54 AM
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I have 1.75 T-servs on a 26" commuter. They are only about 420 gm per tire in the folding Kevlar bead version and they roll well. I have about 1,700 miles on them, no flats yet despite regularly rolling over broken glass. They are wearing very well.
11-20-16, 06:35 AM
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I wouldn't pay "Compass" level money for a commuter tire.
I'd likely stick with the Big Apples or Fat Franks.
Much better flat protection.
If you must buy a new commuter tire, try to find a pair of Resist Nomads.
Performance is decent, they never flat and they are dirt cheap.
I want these to wear out so I can put on Soma Vitesse SLs, but they just don't give up.
Sunday ride. by gomango1849, on Flickr
I'd likely stick with the Big Apples or Fat Franks.
Much better flat protection.
If you must buy a new commuter tire, try to find a pair of Resist Nomads.
Performance is decent, they never flat and they are dirt cheap.
I want these to wear out so I can put on Soma Vitesse SLs, but they just don't give up.
Sunday ride. by gomango1849, on Flickr
11-20-16, 07:10 AM
#7
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If I am understanding your post, you have the Big Apples, but haven't actually tried them yet. If that is the case, I encourage you to give the a shot before selling. They really are excellent tires! When I first bought a pair I rode them for a few days and wasn't really impressed. Then I did some more reading and dropped the pressure significantly.... it was like they came to life! The Big Apples are surprisingly quick, incredibly comfortable, and just as importantly for a commuter, very predictable in all weather. I rode them for maybe a thousand miles before selling the bike they were first installed, before transferring them to other bikes.
I have seen a few other tires that are probably just as good for commuting/city riding, but if you already have them, absolutely give them a try for a a hundred miles+/-
Bruce
I have seen a few other tires that are probably just as good for commuting/city riding, but if you already have them, absolutely give them a try for a a hundred miles+/-
Bruce
11-20-16, 08:19 AM
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Compass tires are expensive, but I’ve never ridden on anything more comfortable. At 2.3" their Rat Trap Pass tires are very wide, and I doubt that you could use fenders with them. They do have a 26" x 1.8" model available, though.
11-20-16, 08:50 AM
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Compass tires are expensive, but I’ve never ridden on anything more comfortable. At 2.3" their Rat Trap Pass tires are very wide, and I doubt that you could use fenders with them. They do have a 26" x 1.8" model available, though.
They are nice, no doubt.
So are Soma's Vitesse SL.
At $55 per tire, I'm going with them from now on.
Also, I recently rode a Diamondback Haanjo EXP with WTB Horizons and they were fantastic.
That being said, the idea of coughing up $75 per tire to commute won't work for me. Too much to spend. imho
11-20-16, 09:45 AM
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I get that. Since I don’t use either of the bikes I have Compass tires on solely for commuting, it’s easier for me to rationalize the cost. They also work very well for gravel, touring, and randonneuring.
11-20-16, 10:51 AM
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I'm using 26x2.1 Continental Town & Country's to commute on. Very comfortable to ride on, soaks up anything you throw at them, roll very well. They also come in 1.9's and maybe 1.75's, not sure. Not very goathead-proof, though...I'm using thorn strips and thornproof, sealant-filled tubes, which probably says something about my commute.
I used Schwalbe Marathons for a while, 26x1.75, and they rode like iron-shod wagon wheels. Rolled well, but didn't soak up much. They'd probably be better as a heavy road touring tire.
I used Schwalbe Marathons for a while, 26x1.75, and they rode like iron-shod wagon wheels. Rolled well, but didn't soak up much. They'd probably be better as a heavy road touring tire.
11-20-16, 05:14 PM
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Smart or not, I'm probably going to buy Naches Passes for my commuter when (if?) the 26"x1.75" Paselas wear out. The latter tires are comfortable and inexpensive (~$30 each), and shrug off road debris most of the time. They weigh about 470g each, which is not exceptionally light, but better than most "city/commuter" type tires in the same size. And they measure about 43-44mm wide on my rims.
I can only imagine the Naches Pass tires will be zippier, despite their slightly larger size. One thing I don't like about the Pasela tread is that the "sipes" in the tread pattern can grab on to small sharp things and allow punctures where there isn't a lot of rubber covering the tire fabric. I actually would expect the tubular-style tread pattern on the NP, with its shallower grooves, to do much better here.
I can only imagine the Naches Pass tires will be zippier, despite their slightly larger size. One thing I don't like about the Pasela tread is that the "sipes" in the tread pattern can grab on to small sharp things and allow punctures where there isn't a lot of rubber covering the tire fabric. I actually would expect the tubular-style tread pattern on the NP, with its shallower grooves, to do much better here.
11-20-16, 06:42 PM
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Marathon Supreme 26x2". I have been riding a set of these for 6-7 miles on an early 90's mountain bike and they are just terrific. The ride is great and the flat protection is superb.
11-20-16, 06:50 PM
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Schwalbe Kojaks are what you seek. I have them on two converted mountain bikes. Run them soft for "suspension" run them harder for sprightly speed (not kidding here). They are super comfy, supple, tough (have PPS), long-wearing, light in weight,... what else could you want.
11-20-16, 06:58 PM
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11-20-16, 07:41 PM
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I have to do a +1 on the Maxxis DTH tires. I have them on my dropbar conversion. They have good traction on dry and wet pavement as well as gravel and sand.
After rereading the OP I have to also second the Panaracer T-Servs. I have some 700 x 35s on a roadie and really like them. Not sure if they make them sized to fit for you though.
After rereading the OP I have to also second the Panaracer T-Servs. I have some 700 x 35s on a roadie and really like them. Not sure if they make them sized to fit for you though.
Last edited by MrK.; 11-20-16 at 07:53 PM.
11-20-16, 07:59 PM
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Commute tires, flat protetion is higher on my requirement list. You don't want to be late for work due to a flat.
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11-20-16, 09:26 PM
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Schwalbe Kojaks are what you seek. I have them on two converted mountain bikes. Run them soft for "suspension" run them harder for sprightly speed (not kidding here). They are super comfy, supple, tough (have PPS), long-wearing, light in weight,... what else could you want.
11-20-16, 11:44 PM
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With Kojaks, traction is not something you have to worry about on paved roads They are a very nice commuter tire.
Dirt roads are another matter. Kojaks are a slick - no tread at all. They will work but will be more loose than a knobby mountain bike tire.
Last edited by Bad Lag; 11-21-16 at 01:05 AM.
11-20-16, 11:48 PM
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From their web site -
26X2.00 tire size: 30 to 70 psi
KOJAK MAKES NO COMPROMISES.
Its home is the road. Although the fast, sporty, tread-less slick weighs just 295 g (35-559) it still has a RaceGuard protection belt and reflective labels. Who loves ya baby?
26X2.00 tire size: 30 to 70 psi
KOJAK MAKES NO COMPROMISES.
Its home is the road. Although the fast, sporty, tread-less slick weighs just 295 g (35-559) it still has a RaceGuard protection belt and reflective labels. Who loves ya baby?
Last edited by Bad Lag; 11-21-16 at 01:06 AM.
11-21-16, 11:46 AM
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So is there an advantage to Big Apples if one stays on city streets?
11-21-16, 12:00 PM
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I have to do a +1 on the Maxxis DTH tires. I have them on my dropbar conversion. They have good traction on dry and wet pavement as well as gravel and sand.
After rereading the OP I have to also second the Panaracer T-Servs. I have some 700 x 35s on a roadie and really like them. Not sure if they make them sized to fit for you though.
After rereading the OP I have to also second the Panaracer T-Servs. I have some 700 x 35s on a roadie and really like them. Not sure if they make them sized to fit for you though.
11-21-16, 12:06 PM
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Thisis what I use too...I wouldn't call them supple, but when I'm riding around city streets with debris, glass, etc...I want flat protection.
11-21-16, 12:26 PM
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I'll stand by the recommendation I made in another post... Kenda K1016 Kiniptions. They are on the heavy side at 840 grams (compared with 450 grams for the 42-559 T-Serves), but they roll so well that they feel like a much lighter tire. Tire size is 58-559, so pretty close to the Big Apples you have. Recommended pressure is anywhere from 35 to 80psi.
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11-21-16, 01:14 PM
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I put a pair of Bontrager H2 26 x 2.00 tires on my son's Diamond Back Topanga about 18 months ago. They are very comfortable. He has had only one flat during that time - a piece of steel tire belting that wormed its way through the tread section. As I recall, they were about $25 each at the LBS.