What 26ers are people riding for mostly city/gravel bike path that’s fairly quick on pavement for getting into the city but still fun on moderate wet/loose path and hopping curbs? Currently have Vittoria Mezcals but they are near the end of their life. Thinking something a bit quicker on pavement without having a pure road tire or marathon. Thanks.
by MarkuMark
22 Comments
Continental Race King
maxxis hookworm
I love my Maxxis DTH tires. Primarily ride on pavement. Can handle some light gravel.
Maxxis pace for me
I like my simworks super yummy tires. They really come alive on gravel trails, but are fast rolling enough to be fun on pavement
I’ve been running a Michelin Country Rock as a rear tire and it’s been a joy so far. It feel fast and reliable. Probably great for both tires if you mostly run gravel and tarmac.
And they’re affordable!
Me: you changed my life
Rene Herse Rat Trap Pass 26”x2.3”: I’m literally just a tire
1.75 x 26″ conti travel contact. Really nice compound and can be found on offer cos they’re older model
Schwalbe fat frank. Pretty supple and fast rolling for a good price
I’ve a pair of eastern growlers. Can’t go wrong for £30-£40 a pair. Done plenty of off-roading and can get up to a decent speed on roads
We’re on xbiking and no one has said anything about tan walled Billy Bonkers yet? (note – I do not own nor can speak to these tires – they’re just on everything xbike. I use Continental DoubleFighter 2.0 and they work a dream)
Points to u/longwalking7 for dropping the hookworms. (again – I do not own or can speak to these)
I find that all the xbiking tire usual suspects are expensive AF in Victoria. I’d keep pedaling 50m down the Switch Bridge to Recyclistas and see what new/used options they have. Ask Shane or Ryan what they’d recommend for that type of riding, it’s the type of riding most people working there do IME.
If ordering online, continental race kings are a good option.
Bicyclitis on Oak Bay also has decent prices on the lighter weight addix-compound Billy Bonkers last time I checked.
Go full slicks/inverted tread. Learn2corner on hardmode in slick conditions. But seriously as a former mountain biker used to Minions x2 I’d say that most pavement/gravel bikes are over-tired. Choose tires for 80% of your riding.
Rene Herse for the best. Maxxis DTH for a very solid choice. Kenda K-Rads if you’re broke/hate traction. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a flat in any of these tires.
Personally been using budget bead wire versions of Maxxis Paces, mostly suited for city riding and hardpack trails, and are fast-rolling. I have one pair which endured some 10,000km and still usable on my third bike, a rat machine.
I’m looking at eventually upgrading to Mezcals or Ikons for my main ride once I saved enough.
Fairweather for XC tire. Fast on pavement and gravel, love em, and they’re pretty cheap.
Most of the guys in my area run Schwalbe Billy Bonkers. They are lightweight, have enough grip off the streets and roll quite fast!
Whatever the fastest rolling 2”+ pair in your local coops cheap bin lol
I’m the kinda person that would rather spend on tires than not. They’re the component that most directly affects ride quality (e.g., rolling resistance, elasticity on different paths, rotational mass).
Only ridden the Gravelkings in 26″. I think they’re nice for city riding and then instilling confidence if taking them off-road. I’m interested to someday try René Herse’s selections! (*But that day will come when the wallet agrees lolol.*) Many of the tires listed are definitely hyped and *well-treaded* (heheh) tires on this sub.
* [*Panaracer Gravelking SK*](https://www.panaracerusa.com/products/gravelking-sk-knobby-folding-gravel-tires?srsltid=AfmBOoqrnPPCElTXUpfINrQSMRiuTmpoTwztyHkk5Ata7BwETL4hPqTC) (26 x 2.1) – fast-rolling small knobs. Will become Gravelflings with the right size pebbles lol. So, mind your downtube!
* [*René Herse Humtulips Ridge*](https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop/components/tires/26-inch/26-x-2-3-humptulips-ridge-tc-tire/) (26 x 2.3) – premium option with knobbies that are fast rolling and seem to perform well off-road.
* [*René Herse Rat Trap Pass*](https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop/components/tires/26-inch/26×23-rat-trap-pass/) (26 x 2.3) – premium slick option.
* Ultradynamico Cava (26 x 2.1 – [*Race*](https://ultradynamico.com/products/cava-race?variant=40762135019605) & [*JFF*](https://ultradynamico.com/products/cava-jff?variant=40762134888533)) – premium boutique ‘slick’ option!
* Ultradynamico Mars (26 x 2.2 – [*Race*](https://ultradynamico.com/products/mars-race?variant=32916219199573) & [*JFF*](https://ultradynamico.com/products/mars-jff?variant=32926187880533)) – premium boutique knobby option!
* [*Various Fairweather options* ](https://global.bluelug.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=fairweather+tire)in 26″ (Blue Lug!)
* [*Simworks Homage* ](https://www.sim.works/collections/panaracer-tire/products/the-homage-tire-26?variant=39543944839342)(26 x 1.95) – hybrid tread; seem to be fast-rolling on pavement.
* [*Limited color in Sand Beige*](https://www.sim.works/collections/panaracer-tire/products/the-homage-26-tire-copy)
* [*Simworks Volummy*](https://www.sim.works/collections/panaracer-tire/products/volummy-26) (26 x 2.3) – slicks!
* *Or you can do a 650b swap and enter a whole other rabbit hole…*
Note that these are all made by Panaracer, so their advertised widths likely will be smaller when mounted. Width will also vary depending on rim inner diameter!
I swear by DTHs. I’m 70:30 pavement to gravel and these are amazing. I’ve also taken them on some mellow mountain biking trails with the kids.
What bars are those? They look great
Gravelking SK 26ers come in 2.1″.
I use GK SKs mostly for commuting, albeit in 700x42c and they are pretty good, roll nicely, very grippy even over wet pavement and can obviously handle gravel. They make some noise while rolling fast because of the knobs
The billyest of bonkers.