well i haven't touched my mountain bike for years and having just got it out the tyres on it, the classic kenda nevegal/blue juice combo, are nailed. 2.25 width i think.
the bike is an intense 5.5 evp, 26" wheels, i'm after something all round general mtb usage and if i do go out it tends to be the local trail centre (cardinham woods) or local terrain which is mainly granite moors. i like to think i'll do some rides on dartmoor this summer but i've been planning that for years. i am old school wheels on the floor XC.
i need folding, i use stans no tubes, i'm around 75kg, in the past ive got on with panaracers, kenda small block 8s i liked in the dry on a hardtail i used to have, and one thing i hate are flimst lugs on the sides as they always seem vague to me when cornering.
if anyone can suggest anything to look at i would appreciate it, thanks
Budget for tyres?
Pretty sure anything Maxxis or Schwalbe make is available in 26", Schwalbe still make 27 1/4 size!
Specialized Purgatory Grid front and Ground Control rear are a good combination for what you describe.
Maxxis DHR2 front, ardent rear would work for you. Both available in 26"
£30 per end in 3C compound if you look around
Whatever On One are knocking out cheap this week.
On my last 26er I had an On-One chunky monkey 2.4” on the front and a smorgasbord 2.25” on the rear. Worked ok as a 3 seasons sort of tyres -
But not good when it got really wet as too lightly treaded. For the price I don’t think they can be beaten (when on offer for £20 each or less).
If you’ve got more budget and you can get them I’d go Maxxis DHF front and DHR2 or Agressor rear.
I wouldn't be wanting the drag of a 2.5 3C compound maxxis for old skool XC riding.
If you liked the speed of the small block but want nice good sized cornering knobs try a minion SS rear. Dual compound, is the fast rolling one since maxis changed their compound names. TR exo is the lightweight folding tubeless ready casing. (although a single ply will go up tubeless fine with more stans).
Spesh butcher on the front, purgatory on the back
I’ve tried the on one tyres (smorgasbord) and they made me want to stop riding the bike. Hateful things. Draggy and heavy with a total lack of grip!!
i get the spesh tyres from sigma sport. Generally 30-40. They do seem to last as well.
Spesh butcher on the front, purgatory or Maxxis Ardent on the back
Thinking about it, I have a 26" purgatory grid in the shed that's in really good nick. DM me if interested in it
I have a Minion DHF 26x2.3 EXO TR that I could offer. It amazed me on the front of my Soul when I put it on there. It only had a bit of use though before I got the 27.5 version for my Anthem and stopped riding the Soul. Drop me a message if you're interested.
Evo cycles in Eastbourne have some Michelin wild rock R’s in 26 x 2.35 flavour, very grippy with good sidewalls but a bit draggy
I've been putting On-One Chunkey Monkey and Smorgasbord on my boy's bikes for a while, but I've just looked and they don't seem to have 26" any more 🙁
Ah nuts, I'm a fan of Chunky Monkeys too. I'm getting a bit worried that tyre choice is going to force me into getting a bigger wheeled frame soon!
I've sent you a PM Mikeys.
Conti are still making new 26" stuff and it's really good.
Id say Minion SS on the rear and either a High roller 2 or Minion DHF/DHR 2 up front. Great combo. lots of grip and due to the SS out back, not too slow either.
John
thanks all, lots of options to check out.
The larger Decathlon stores sometimes have tubeless 26" in stock for around £15. Decent Michelin tyres as well. Work well enough on my Orange 5.