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    Any 26” slicks that are supple and don’t break the bank?

    Looking for alternatives to the eye-wateringly expensive Rene Herse tires.

    I love the Continental Contact Urbans on my commuter but they are heavy and not as supple as I would like. I’ve got a few Panaracer tires (Smoke/Dart, Gravel King, old Ritchey tires) as well as Maxxis tires (Ravager, Rambler, DTH) and they are quite nice and supple, but I struggle to find a true slick tire in the 26×2.0 size that is supple and cheaper.

    Has anyone tried Panaracer Paselas and Gravel Kings and can compare the two? I’d be willing to step down to the 1.75 size if they’re as supple as a GK slick.

    Anyone have any other tire recs?

    by senorhappytaco

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    27 Comments

    1. -LetsTryAgain- on

      I like the Panaracer paselas a lot. They don’t seem to hold up / last as long as a nice RH rat trap pass but they’re half the price so ….

    2. LiGuangMing1981 on

      If you’re using these on a commuter, why would you want to give up the Urban Contact’s excellent durability / puncture protection?

      I find the Urban Contacts to be plenty fast and comfortable, and don’t notice the weight either (they’re significantly lighter than the Marathons I used to use) – so I’d just keep using those.

    6. RidetheWalrusj2 on

      Looking over the comments, I’d recommend the Naches Pass (26 x 1.8) if you’re going for something like a road setup. I ran them on my Bridgestone XO-3 for years. They were plenty comfy, and definitely worth the price.

    8. YEinherierY on

      I am also looking for 26″ slicks. I was considering getting either the WTB Thick Slick or Conti Contact Speed (technically a semi slick). I don’t have any experience with either though.

    10. BluebirdOld4191 on

      I like using Continental speed kings. They’re discontinued but you can sometimes find old stock cheap. I have 6 as spares for down the line. You can get them for £25 a tyre on UK eBay.

    12. rcyclingisdawae on

      I’ve tried Paselas and contact urbans, and I love my Paselas but the 26″ pasela isn’t really much more supple than the contact urban I think, although I only very shortly tried the contact urbans after installing them on a friend’s bike.

      Sadly the 26 and 27.5 pasela are a heavier thicker construction at the tread than the 700C paselas. The 700C Pasela is my true favourite tire but I still love the 26/27.5’s too.

    14. MaksDampf on

      Has anyone tried the Michelin Pilot Pump Competition?

      It is wider than what OP is looking for, but other than that is seems to be exactly that: Slick pattern for tarmac, supple, grippy, folding tire and still pretty lightweight considering its size.

      It should be a fun tire on a 26″ tarmac speedbike considering it was designed for the pump track.

      Running them tubeless probably beats the 26×2.0 Contact urbans in weight and suppleness.

    15. wentworth69 on

      I’ve been using paselas for the last year and while mine are 1.25 so I can’t vouch for supple-ness, they are fast ish and I haven’t got a flat yet!

    16. Negative_Spiral on

      After more than 2000 kilometres of use I switched from the Contact Urbans (1.75) to Goodyear Wingfoot Parks (2.2). I really like how supple the Wingfoots are. The overall ride quality is way better. Especially since I have a stiff aluminium frame. They’re not as fast as the Contact Urbans and I suppose they’re not as well protected from flats, but I’m happy with the Wingfoots. Another plus is they look way better imo.

    17. rocket_flo on

      GF has some used René herse on her commuter, not slick.
      Well… It makes you want those tyres ! Expensive but long lasting too. 
      For now i’d say Reneherse is not that hoverhyped. But i’d like to hear someone with different point of view

    19. MaksDampf on

      I just saw the Panaracer RiBMo. Seems to be a city tire with a semi-slick profile, almost like a contact urban.

      It is available in 26″ in widths of 1.35 – 2.0″ and a bit lighter than contact urbans. Still not the lightest 26″ tire, but apparently these get used by Bike Polo players, so they must have good grip and reasonable performance.

      has anybody had experience with them?

    20. gagnatron5000 on

      I have not compared the two, but Panaracer Paselas are awesomely supple. I never knew you could be comfortable on a 27″ road bike, it’s all I run on my tourer now.

      I also use Panaracer Urban Max tires on my beat-around bike. Would highly recommend,

    23. utilititties on

      I’d never pay more than 20€ per tyre. That’s my limit. It should be that expensive. It’s not a car. I’ve fine getting some Big Ben or similar on sale and always staying below that price.

    24. EndangeredPedals on

      Anybody try the BMX stuff?

      Quick search shows Cult Vans, and S&M Speedball in 26 x 2 sizes. I’ve suggested clients with cargo bikes try the 20 versions vs Big Apples with good results.

    25. openmindwildheart on

      So, these are heavy but roll fast and are very durable. Schwab’s Fat Franks. They’re still available, right? Have had a few sets because they seemed to fit the bill and I was suprised at how happy I was.

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