[LastBoyScout]

Hi,

Re-purposing a mountain bike for a bit of touring and need some advice on tyres – 26″.

It’s going to be mainly a mix of fine grit with a bit of road and a couple of rocky descents, apparently, so need something reasonably fast rolling that won’t be totally out of it’s depth when it gets bumpy.

I know Schwalbe Marathon seem to be the default for touring, but any other suggestions before I buy a pair of Marathon Plus MTB?

I do quite like the look of some of the Continental ones, but bit dubious about how robust they are for touring.

Thanks in advance

Topic

[LastBoyScout]

Simon E wrote:

If you’re doing mostly road I’d look for something with a fairly smooth centre and knobbly edge for the dirt. Schwalbe Land Cruiser is popular with 3 Peaks racers.

Alternatively Sammy Slick, Black Jack and CX Pro/Comp are all available in 26″. Spa Cycles have the Black Jack in several width at £10 (Spa offroad).

Land cruisers look a bit too road-biased. Like the tread pattern on the others, but they all seem to have wire beads – I’ll have a look for folding versions.

Thanks,

[LastBoyScout]

Argos74 wrote:

Contintental Doublefighters. Fast, durable and fine with rough stuff unless it gets muddy.

I like the look of those – thanks.

[Mungecrundle]

I use these Michelin Country
I use these Michelin Country rock tyres on my 26″ mtb for the daily commute. They are perfectly adequate for hard trails, not so good in heavy mud. They also roll well enough to allow me to keep with the medium / fast group on soggy Sunday club rides and are certainly less draggy than the nobblies in any kind of windage. Seem to wear quite well, these must have about 2000 miles on them.

[mike the bike]

 

 

For touring I can heartily recommend Schwalbe’s Marathon Greenguard.  They are strong but not too heavy, roll very well and can be had for £15 a pop.  

Have a look at http://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com

[Wafty Crank]

I’ve got a set of Panaracer

I’ve got a set of Panaracer Paselas on my 26″ MTB for commuting (26×1.75) and they roll well enough and I don’t have any problems on the short gravel stretch

[CXR94Di2]

Schwalbe G One 40mm
Schwalbe G One 40mm

[ktache]

Conti travel contact folding,

Conti travel contact folding, used them for my summer comute, fastish on the road and cycle paths, will give grip on slightly rough stuff.  

[Argos74]

Contintental Doublefighters.

Contintental Doublefighters. Fast, durable and fine with rough stuff unless it gets muddy.

[Simon E]

The Marathon Plus MTB tyres

The Marathon Plus MTB tyres weigh over 1kg each and will have really stiff sidewalls. Not a recipe for fun if you ask me.

If you’re doing mostly road I’d look for something with a fairly smooth centre and knobbly edge for the dirt. Schwalbe Land Cruiser is popular with 3 Peaks racers.

Alternatively Sammy Slick, Black Jack and CX Pro/Comp are all available in 26″. Spa Cycles have the Black Jack in several width at £10 (Spa offroad).

[Author]

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