Best 26" Tyre for Road & Gravel

[Heavy]

With lockdown and 26" tyre choices being limited, which currently available tyre would people recommend for a mix of mostly road plus easy gravel?

I'd prefer less than 1.95" and a smoother centre-line.

I like the look of the Schwalbe Hurricane Addix 2.0 (with the smooth centre) and the WTB Riddler 1.95.

Are there any I'm missing?

 

[CassidyAce]

Re:

I have the Hurricanes on my 650B bike. They're okay but that bike isn't getting much use these days. They're hard to beat for rolling well on the road and are generally fine on the gravel. I'm not very keen on the profile for cornering, though, and I end up slowing down more than I would on, say, the Continental X Kings on a corner (even on road) especially in the wet.

You might also want to consider the Schwalbe CX Comp tyres. They do a 26 x 2.0 version, they're the same weight as the Hurricanes and tend to be a bit of a bargain. They're not completely smooth in the centre but they roll very well. I have a 700c set on one bike that's used for road and gravel and I'm pleased enough with them.

Anyway, it's an option. I've never tried the WTBs so can't comment on those.

 

[rwm1962]

Mostly road & easy gravel pretty much describes my old commute but for most road substitute paved cycle tracks & hardpack - as well as gravel. Conti Ride Tours with the puncture resistance did well for me except when I added in steep muddy detours. I went back to more rugged tyres mostly cos I thought they spoiled the look of my P7 I was commuting on & to cope with those detours, but have just dug them out again for another build which will be mostly road , lane & a bit of gravel

 

[Heavy]

Re:

Cheers Cassidy. I'm looking for then to be more suited to road but able to cope with easy gravel such as sustrans stuff.

The Hurricanes I fancy are the tread pattern below (rather than the other one) but the 26 only seems to be available from Germany.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-hurri ... gK2kvD_BwE

 

[CassidyAce]

Re:

My Hurricanes are the old tread pattern, not that there's much difference. They are good on the road and I doubt if you would be disappointed. As it happens, I've just ordered some tyres from Germany for what was your old StumpJumper, which I bought from prezza. I think it's going to be about a two week wait for them to arrive.

 

[iveto1983]

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I like the Panaracer Pasela. They’re available in different widths and with either black or amber walls.

I have the folding 1.75” width on my 26” tourer and have had no issues with them.

 

[Heavy]

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Cheers RWM - there's no doubt that a set of commuter tyres will do 90 % of what I want, but a bit of vanity creeps in so look for something more gravelly

Cassidy, I'll have a look at those two tyres again and see where I end up. Good to hear that Stumpy is getting some love - I rescued it from a house clearance and never did anything with it as it wasn't my size.

 

[Heavy]

Re:

Iveto - good shout - they look like they'll roll well and not too wide - Gumwall too !!

 

[rwm1962]

Re: Re:

....but a bit of vanity creeps in so look for something more gravelly

Aye, same but trying again!!

I like the Panaracer Pasela. They’re available in different widths and with either black or amber walls.

Oh - Amber walls - one I'll look at when next needed.

 

[Freddyman90]

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Second vote here for the schwalbe cx comps. Got a pair yesterday for a bargain £10 locally. The difference between them and some wtb’s I had on are night and day. So much less resistance and great on gravel and corner well too.