Recommendations of a good capable off-road tyre that's available in 26"

[shedobits]

2nd Maxxis ardents

+1 more for Ardents on the front with Ardent Race on the rear, even better set up tubeless.

 

[Tommy27]

Looking through this, to get inspiration for wider tyres to replace my modern Ritchey 2.1 with something wider since these don't sit anywhere near that width!

Do the Maxis Ardent actually sit at stated width?

I also know some people who run Vittoria Mezcal as 27.5/ 29 and are really happy with them, again do these sit around stated with?

 

[Swelo]

On 17mm rims, the 26x2.1 Mezcals measure 55mm (including the edge lugs).

 

[Mkane]

They'll be fine for good weather but terrible in the slop of winter.

On my modern bikes I always run a Magic Mary up front. Not the lightest but another world grip wise compared to any older style. I switched back to some Conti Mountain/X Kings for a while and they scared me to death! Same as the XC tyres on my XC MTB, fine for gentle stuff or dry riding but I hit the deck as soon as it got wet and muddy.

Out back I run a Schwalbe Hans Dampf on my HT, Nobby Nick on my FS. The Dampf used to be my go to but is actually quite draggy so I probably won't get another. Yet to try the Nobby for winter riding.

Plenty of 26" available.

https://www.merlincycles.com/mountain-bike-tyres-75332/?diameter=26-&brand=schwalbe

All too wide

 

[shedobits]

Running Ardents on 19mm rims they are just a little narrower than Hans Dampfs without the side knobs (with a lot less drag).

 

[Mkane]

I’ll stick with the Panaracers. Just ordered Swoops and Comets for dry summer.

I like the Smoke/Dark combination for winter. Just got to keep lean angle in check.

We stay off the trails when it gets real muddy. Just wish the equestrians would do the same. Our beef since 1980. Some things never change.

 

[Tommy27]

On 17mm rims, the 26x2.1 Mezcals measure 55mm (including the edge lugs).

So a shade wider than advertised.

Torn between these and the Maxxis Ardent.

I tend to do quite a lot of offroad touring, so something period correct like the Smoke 'n Dart is a little too draggy for the mixed terrain bits. Though very good for more difficult terrain.