Hello. I have a 2009 Trek 8000 that I've been running around NYC over the years. I've never really had time to get into the enthusiast aspect of biking so when it comes to knowing best brands and components, I am clueless. I'm riding with the original tires and I've got to replace them and was wondering if someone could tell me what's good from what's not good in the tire replacement department. The tire I currently have is a Bontrager Jones XT - 26 x 2.2. I loved it and honestly, if I could replace it with the same exact tire I would, but its discontinued. Any recommendations on a quality replacement to that Bontrager model? Thanks.

NYC is a city? So are you riding on actual MTB trails or in the city? That is really the key to your question. For MTB Cross Kings from Conti would be good but for road tires probably Schwalbe Big Apples or Marathons.

I should have mentioned what terrain I ride most often. Def more pavement than off road. I'm going to check out the Schwalbe Big Apples and the Marathons. Thanks so much for the recommendations!

No problem, in future I would probably post to commuting or bicycle mechanics for questions unrelated to mountain biking get more responses and better responses on your specific issues. While your bike may have at one point been a mountain bike it is being used in urban environments for non-mountain biking purposes and also this sub-forum is maybe a little less active.

Good luck.

Good points! Thanx! I'm new here so just kinda feeling my way around. Thanx for taking the time to help me out with that! Much appreciated!

Cheers!!

You might consider Conti DoubleFighter III, Panaracer Comet Hardpack, and Kenda Smalblock 8. I really like the DoubleFighters for my 80s Cannondale mountainbike turned city runner.

Thanx Trav1s. I looked those up but none come in the size I need which is 26 x 2.2. The Panaracer comes in 26 x 2.25. I'm not sure if I need to stick strictly to the size of the tire that the bike came with originally or if I can deviate a little more or less. Do you know if it would be okay for me to go with the Panaracer in that size?

You can easily go down in size without any issue. Going larger is not a problem if there is enough fork, seatpost, and chainstay clearance. Pretty confident the Panaracer will not be a problem since your bike originally had 26x2.2 on it.




Not a hard an fast rule but something to consider: If you have the same tire in two different sizes, the small tire will be lighter. Less rotational mass will make the bike feel quicker and easier to pedal.


Another option is Specialized Crossroads Armadillo - https://www.specialized.com/us/en/cr...ext=00316-0369
These are great all around tires and the Armadillo version has solid puncture resistance.

Above and beyond is where you've gone with this! Thanks so much for the insight and the diagram!

So I am considering a few different tires: Schwalbe Marathon vs the Conti DoubleFighter III for paved roads since nowadays that's what am mostly on. But I feel like since I've run for thousands of miles for so many years (since 2009) with the same Bontrager Jones XR on both dirt/gravel trails and pavement and ZERO punctures (original tire - never once changed it), I should consider staying with a knobby wheel because I know I will hit the trails every so often. So, I am also considering the Panaracer Comet Hardpack, the Bontrager XR2 Competition and the Specialized Crossroad Armadillo. On your recommendation I've been looking into the Armadillo and it seems to be where I am leaning now because the reviews are awesome and it seems to fit my current terrain needs. Going to sleep on it tonight and pull the trigger tomorrow.

Thanks again for your help with this! I'm most grateful!!

Glad the information was insightful. I've done a fair amount of reading here on the forum and cannot take credit for most of the info. ;-)

When it comes to puncture resistance, the Schwalbe Marathon line is hard to beat. I have Marathon Racers on my Cannondale Hybrid and I'm happy with them. A friend has Marathons on his Giant Boulder and is very happy with them. If you are focused on durability, the Marathon line is hard to beat.

I really like the DoubleFighter III on my around town bike. They are quiet, smooth and feel quick. They are large enough to handle bad streets when needed but I spend most of my time on paved bike trails. I think they are a solid value. Obligatory bike pic below




I used the Comet Hardpacks on two bikes I rebuilt and sold. I rode one of them a fair amount and liked the response and feel. They are no where as quick, nimble, or quiet as the DoubleFighter III but they have more bite. Both bikes has the 26x1.90 size. Solid option for sure.

The Crossroads Armadillo seem to be nice middle ground between the DoubleFighter III and the Comet Hardpack. Easy rolling, quiet, and yet grippy on dirt and paved. If my around towner spent more time on singletrack, these would be my choice. I'll be putting them on my daughter's 26" bike.

Beautiful bike! I also love the way the DoubleFighter IIIs look on it - very clean and classic look! Not sure if it’s a “thing” for many, but the tire plays a big role in the overall aesthetic of the bike, so choosing a nice looking tire is a factor for me. That said, I wont let it get in the way of the more important issues at hand.

So, I’ve decided to go with the Crossroads Armadillos. They seem to be the best fit for my current riding style, I found a nice deal on them and bonus - I love the way they look. My only concern is that they only come in 26x1.9, which again is replacing 26x2.2, and my front tire is 26x2.25. So replacing those with 1.9 I’m hoping they will not readily look thinner than the tires I have on now and detract from the aggressive stance of the bike. I really love the way my bike looks and this is the first time I’m changing tires so I’m slightly nervous the overall look will be altered... for the worse.

I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Maybe I’ll wait to get your thoughts on my above-stated madness . Otherwise I will do it by Friday.

Thanks again for your insight and for talking this out with me!

I get the aesthetic thing and was intentional with the old Cannondale when I built it. As I said before, I love the DoubleFighter III other than the orange lettering. ;-)

I think the Crossroads Armadillo is a solid choice! I don't think the reduced size will change the look that much. I'll dig up some pics of the same bike running both sizes. Also, check you messages for a free shipping code on tires. I just ordered some myself.

Thanks Trav1s! I’m unable to check PMs because the moderators restrict that functionality to folks who have less than 10 posts. This is my 7th post so I am getting there! . Btw, I found the Crossroads Armadillos on an online shop… $24 off of the retail price and free shipping.

Looking forward to the pics.

1.95”




2.25”

Oh wow! I really notice and love the look of the 2.25 over the 1.95. Thanks for the comparison pics. Reevaluating now… think I might just go with the Bontrager XR2. Wish I could post a pic of my bike to give you an idea of the look I’m after. Two more posts.

Wider tires that fit are always the better choice in nearly every situation. I don't think I can come up with a time recently where I said "you know what I wish this bike had skinnier tires" and if I did it would have been on a fat bike not on sand or snow or loose stuff.

The 2.25” are Specialized Fastracks. That’s an option too.They are great off pavement but not the best on pavement.

I believe I am in unison with this perspective.

Curious… I’ve mentioned the Bontrager XR2s a few times but you have not offered an opinion on those at all. Is it because you’re unfamiliar with them OR is there something sketchy about them but you’re opting to politely avoid bashing them?

At this point since the Crossroads Armadillo has moved out of first place on my list, the next runner up would be the Bontrager XR2 only because they are the successor to the wheels that I have on the bike now (and I’ve only had a stellar experience with them on all terrains) and they are the width - that I didn’t realize till your last comparison posting - that I really want. In my research I’ve found that the Crossroads Armadillo is highly regarded and reviewed with almost a cult-like following, while the XR2s are not poorly reviewed, but I don’t detect any love affair with them from the reviews either.

​​​​​….selecting a set of tires is not going to be as easy as I thought it was going to be.

Sorry I got interrupted while trying to respond yesterday.

You are correct, I have no experience with Bontrager XR2 tires. My limited experience with Bontrager tires on my wife's Verve leaves me cold generally don't give them much consideration. I just looked at the XR2 tread and would pick the Specialized Fasttracks over them due to the center block spacing. Closer center blocks will be smoother and easier rolling on pavement.

If you are set for 26x2.25" tires, let me offer Schwalbe Smart Sam as another option. I ran 26x2.25 on a Specialized Hardrock I used for paved trails and Iowa singletrack. While not as quiet as the Crossroads, they are easy rolling (especially the 2.25" size) and had plenty of grip. Think of them as them like an automotive All Terrain tire striking a compromise to work on multiple surfaces and are available in a bunch of sizes. I think these would be a better option for your riding than the XR2 with the wide open spacing between knobs. I

I'll see if I can find pics of that bike - I gave it to a friend when I moved.

Yes, it did occur to me that the tread pattern of the XR2s look like they would not be great on pavement. It’s curious to me because they are the successor to the Jones XT that I have on the bike now, but the tread patterns are drastically different.

Okay, so now my new top choice is the Specialized Fast Trak that you recommended. Runners up are the Schwalbe Smart Sam and I was looking at tires on the Continental website and found a tire whose tread kind of resembles my current tread and has pretty good reviews - the Cross King ProTection. Have any knowledge/thoughts on the Cross King?

Pic of my bike

No experience on the CrossKing but have read a fair amount about them. People seem happy with them. Check out this review and this site in general:
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...rotection-2020

As for the Fast Trak, I'm not trying to blur the decision process but here is test of the S-Works version:
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...fast-trak-2016

And while we are at it, Schwalbe Billy Bonkers 26x2.25 are available. They are a very popular tire in the Classic/Vintage forum for bikes like my Cannondale shared above.

Wow, that Bicycle Rolling Resistance site is an amazing research tool and resource! Thanks so much for sharing!

Okay, so the S-Works version of the Fast Trak looks awesome and I’d go with those for sure, but I just checked on the Specialized website and they are only available in 29. What they do have is the Fast Trak Sport and the Fast Trak Control 2Bliss Ready 5 (which shows the option of 26x2.35 but there is currently a strike through that option, which I am assuming means it is currently out of stock). So, at the moment my only option is the Fast Trak Sport… which is fine. However…

I’m finding it confusing and annoying that Specialized shows the tire with no graphics on the sidewall of all the Fast Trak tires on their site. And if I look for Fast Trak tires on other sites there’s no consistency, so I am not 100% sure I am getting the current Specialized Fast Trak Sport tire because I don’t know what the current graphic looks like for that tire (or any other Fast Trak variation for that matter). It’s making for a very confusing and uneasy shopping experience. So far I’ve only had this experience with the Fast Trak. Guessing I just have to find an online store who sells the Fast Trak Sport and then request that they send me a picture first and ask if it’s the current model? Your thoughts on this?

Thanks again for taking the time to have this discussion with me and for lending your mind and insight on all of this. It’s been quite an education!

.

Hey Trav1s! Just wanted to thank you again for all your help and follow up with where I stand as of now...

So after many more weeks of hunting and researching I finally found a set of tires that seemed to check all the boxes for me and ordered them! Sadly, I didn't research the site I ordered them from and it turned out to be a scammy site with extremely bad ratings - bikeinn.com (tradeinn.com). I didn't discover that till after I placed the order and fortunately I managed to be able to cancel the order before it progressed to where I couldn't cancel it. Honestly, it's uncharacteristic of me to order from an online retailer without researching them thoroughly, this tire shopping was getting arduous and something about the look and feel of the site felt safe and Amazon-like. So I felt comfortable just going ahead and ordering. I'm hoping that by posting this it will serve as a warning for some and save them from a nightmare scenario. bikeinn.com (tradeinn.com) has ENDLESS horrifying reviews which include folks waiting months to never getting their orders and no response on refunds... and all sorts of shady shenanigans. I was so nervous after discovering what kind of company this was that I was not going to be able to successfully cancel my order, but fortunately the tires (which were in a processing status for 2 weeks even though they were supposedly in stock) had not reached the facility for shipping so I was able to cancel it successfully. Thank goodness! Lesson learned!

So I went on to research and found an awesome retailer who had the tires on sale. So I ordered them and received them last week! I got Vittoria MEZCAL in 26 x 2.1. I installed them right away and have done a little over 250 miles so far. I'm really blown away at how fast they are on pavement and how seamlessly adaptive they are on transition to loosely graveled terrain! Thus far they are quite brilliant, and hoping they remain that way over time. So I'm loving them and feel like I made an excellent choice! Thanks again for all your help and apologies if my indecision got frustrating.

Here are pics with the new tires:




Cheers friend!!

Looks like a solid option - more aggressive tread with easy rolling center section. Glad you were able to cancel that order and find them from a reputable vendor. Those look right on the bike!