Vintage Mountain Bike Tires

[27motorhead]

In the RetroBike archive is this catalogue:
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/archive/1986-trek-catalogue.64/
Last x2 pages have a 1986 Trek Antelope 850 with specs which can't be too different to yours... couldn't see a 1985 catalogue with MTB's in it.

 

[ratzkiwatzki]

My favourites. Made by Panaracer. 1.95 tanwall available with black or green tread.

View attachment 898494

Thank you. These look very interesting. What kind of conditions would you say they're best for? Any thoughts on durability?

 

[JCS]

Thank you. These look very interesting. What kind of conditions would you say they're best for? Any thoughts on durability?

They’re best for relatively dry, firm trails. Also good on road due to the smooth mid section.
If you ride in a lot of damp and mud, something like the Smoke/Dart combo would be better as they have a more aggressive tread pattern giving more grip.
Durability - my oldest pair is 1 year old and is holding up well.

 

[Tsundere]

These might fit the bill.

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/early-80s-26-hutchinson-atb-tyres.485944/

 

[27motorhead]

These might fit the bill.

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/early-80s-26-hutchinson-atb-tyres.485944/

Already outed these earlier (minus the link!) guessing @ratzkiwatzki is after new "retro" rubber. @Tootyred was concerned over durability.

 

[Gtpulse]

I have a set of Matrix tyres I found out in another thread are Trek own brand from around that era. I’d ride them on gravel/forest tracks still. As others have mentioned puncture protection can be added with slime in the tubes, also Zefal and others make a tyre lining tape. I’ve had some success (well lack of punctures compared to previously!) with a combo of the tape and slime in the tubes. Does come with both a financial and weight gaining cost.

Matrix tyre

 

[Gtpulse]

Or these just seen posted on the forum could be great
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/terra-one-‘rider-t1’-tyres.486824/

 

[27motorhead]

Or these just seen posted on the forum could be great
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/terra-one-‘rider-t1’-tyres.486824/

I want those Terra One's now that I've seen them! Good price too!!!

 

[trailstar82]

Possibly too modern (and wide) but I just posted these in the bike bargains section

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/halo-tan-walls-26x2-2-sport-pursuit-£20-99ea-plus-£4-99-del.486826/

 

[Black_puma]

They’re best for relatively dry, firm trails. Also good on road due to the smooth mid section.
If you ride in a lot of damp and mud, something like the Smoke/Dart combo would be better as they have a more aggressive tread pattern giving more grip.
Durability - my oldest pair is 1 year old and is holding up well.

The Panaracer Smoke/ Dart combo is a nice combo but I thought they were typical for early to mid 90's mtb's? I have them on my '92 GT Bravado and they're a lot lighter on the road than I expected for such an aggressive tread.