Decently "fast" 26in commute tires

[KWalker]

I commute on an '87 Stumpjumper that currently has 2.5in Specialized Rhythm Lite's mounted. They roll pretty smooth for the most part, but by no means are they a fast rolling tire. There are not a ton of puncture risks on my commute other than glass, etc. so I'm looking for a tire that would be faster, likely smaller diameter, and likely more supple.

I've read some about rando/touring tires and have no real domain knowledge to how these tires would work for my use case since. I'd appreciate any input on what would be a faster rolling, more balanced commute tire.

Fast is simply defined as a lower crr and likely better casing. If I can reduce crr by a reasonable percent, it results in a lower commute time which is always great.

[guido]

The current state of the art in 26" rando tires is the Compass Rat Trap Pass. 2.3" but very light and supple.

[Avincent52]

I've got a pair of super sweet Kevlar-beaded 2.3 inch Schwalbe Super Motos that are reasonably light, roll really nicely and have a nice plush pseudo-suspension feel.

I think they may be discontinued in 26-inch though. I bought mine from Germany at Bike Discount.De for a very nice price and they might still have a few. (I checked and they seem to be out of stock, sadly.)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_hTHHCVpvq0/U95K_i-I9oI/AAAAAAAACIo/rzhweouXwQo/s1600/bikedesignproject16.jpg

If you want sheer roll, try the Schwalbe Kojak (1.4 and 1.9 inch) or the Ritchey Tom Slick (1.5 inch IIRC)

[pdmtong]

I commute on an '87 Stumpjumper that currently has 2.5in Specialized Rhythm Lite's mounted. They roll pretty smooth for the most part, but by no means are they a fast rolling tire. There are not a ton of puncture risks on my commute other than glass, etc. so I'm looking for a tire that would be faster, likely smaller diameter, and likely more supple.

I've read some about rando/touring tires and have no real domain knowledge to how these tires would work for my use case since. I'd appreciate any input on what would be a faster rolling, more balanced commute tire.

Fast is simply defined as a lower crr and likely better casing. If I can reduce crr by a reasonable percent, it results in a lower commute time which is always great.

my wife rides her '98 FSR to work on the kenda trax - reflective sidewall. they will work better than what you have but with the iron cap may not be supple as you prefer.

http://bicycle.kendatire.com/en-us/find-a-tire/bicycle/commuter/kwick-trax/

[p nut]

2.5"? Too fat for commuting for my taste. I'd get some 26x1.8-2.0" tires. I've had good experiences with Conti Town & Country and Kenda Crisp tires. In fact, I think I still have a pair of the Crisp tires with good tread, if you want to try them out. They're a bit old, but yours free + shipping. They're wire bead, so box will need to be a bit bigger.

[weisan]

Continental Town and Country.

[JAllen]

Continental Town and Country.

I agree here too. I haven't put in a lot of miles on them but I've always loved the ride quality.

Panaracer T-servs ride really nicely. I can't really speak to the speed of them, but I haven't done too poorly with them.

[JLP]

Paselas are great 26 inch commuter tires. Affordable too.


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[donevwil]

Schwalbe Marathons (pick your version) are pretty incredible tires, they're very durable, fast and smooth rolling and very true (round). Many available sizes and belt options. My wife's commuter runs Marathon Plus 650bs and I replaced a set of Barlow Passes on my M'cross with a pair Supreme 29 x 2.0s for a specific event and never took them off.

[rodcad]

Continental Travel Contacts, slick and indestructable.

[Ronsonic]

You didn't mention any budgetary concern .... but for like dirt cheap you can go with the Kenda K-Rad 1.95 that I've been running on an urbanized '87 HooKooEKoo for years. Good traction dry or wet pavement, enough tread to not fear sand patches or shortcuts, wear like iron, cost nothing, roll smothly and easily, what's not to like. Pretty damned good and for the price, awesome.

[RFC]

1.85 WTB's.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0355_zpsoxtcn3dc.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_0355_zpsoxtcn3dc.jpg.html)

[rugbysecondrow]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/01/3b3dc923a5767fe1b0d67283df7319b9.jpg

I have a similar ride and I use Schwalbe Fat Frank's.

Can't speak to fast, but the feel faster and not sluggish.


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[Peter P.]

Paselas are great 26 inch commuter tires. Affordable too.


Another vote for Panaracer Paselas. For commuting on the road, 2" tires are silly overkill. 26x1.25" or 1.5" at most. They even have a folding version for substantial weight savings. A fine casing and not too much tread.

[RFC]

Another vote for Panaracer Paselas. For commuting on the road, 2" tires are silly overkill. 26x1.25" or 1.5" at most. They even have a folding version for substantial weight savings. A fine casing and not too much tread.

I actually agree. That's why I have another set of old XT wheels with 1.25 Ribmo's. One set for street another for MUP, trails, gravel grinding.

I wish these Fatboys were still available.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0328r_zps0w2c4cgd.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_0328r_zps0w2c4cgd.jpg.html)

Same bike in geared gravel grinder form with 1.5 Avocet Crossroads. A great, bullet proof tire, also no longer made.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/SRP%20Canel%2034r_zpsyesc7ian.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/SRP%20Canel%2034r_zpsyesc7ian.jpg.html)

[SlackMan]

Another vote for Panaracer Paselas. For commuting on the road, 2" tires are silly overkill. 26x1.25" or 1.5" at most. They even have a folding version for substantial weight savings. A fine casing and not too much tread.

Another advantage of the skinnier tires is that you can later add fenders if you want. Many fenders for 26" bikes will not fit tires around the 2" mark.

[fiamme red]

I'd love to try the Compass tires, but for now I'm very happy with Schwalbe Marathon Supremes.

[Robbos]

I've been using these for commuting for the last 5 years. They have very good puncture protection, but whats more, they actually have great ride feel. They're not overly heavy or dead feeling like many puncture proof tires. I just find them fiddly to mount without any vertical buldges. I mount them with soap on the tire bead then pump them up to 60-70 pounds to pop them in place.

[KWalker]

Thanks everyone!

Price isn't the biggest concern nor is outright puncture resistance. I have pretty good luck being smart about where I ride in lanes and I'm also not going all that far or on different roads. Same route every day. What I'm looking for most is basically the fastest riding tire, which usually means a non wire bead, high-ish TPI casing, however, it seems not as straightforward as with road tires from the limited testing I've seen.

For example, the Schwalbe Marathon Green Guard is shown to be faster than the Marathon slicks, albeit a ton heavier (not a concern in this case) so I normally would look at the specs and think the opposite. Having some actual knowledge helps, but I'm super limited in this area.

[RFC]

Check out the Ribmo's. I haven't ridden mine yet, but they get very good reviews for speed and puncture resistance.

[adampaiva]

I have the Ritchey Tom Slick Pro (folding bead) in 26 x 1.4 and they are pretty decent. Not anywhere near as nice as the Challenge tires I have on all my 700c road bikes, but pretty good for a commuter. I haven't had flats, but did wear through the rear thanks to a bit too much enthusiasm on the power slide skids.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/625/21726479640_9df679c2de_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/z6TTsy)20151003-DSCF3257.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/z6TTsy) by Adam Paiva (https://www.flickr.com/photos/adampaiva/), on Flickr


I would love to try the Compass Rat Trap or Elk Pass tires but am having trouble justifying the cost for a commuter tire (in NYC). The McClure pass is a bit more affordable but I wonder if it will be much improvement over what I have, or Paselas (which are only a little cheaper in a folding bead version).

[Keith A]

I've got a pair of super sweet Kevlar-beaded 2.3 inch Schwalbe Super Motos that are reasonably light, roll really nicely and have a nice plush pseudo-suspension feel.

I think they may be discontinued in 26-inch though. I bought mine from Germany at Bike Discount.De for a very nice price and they might still have a few. (I checked and they seem to be out of stock, sadly.)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_hTHHCVpvq0/U95K_i-I9oI/AAAAAAAACIo/rzhweouXwQo/s1600/bikedesignproject16.jpg

If you want sheer roll, try the Schwalbe Kojak (1.4 and 1.9 inch) or the Ritchey Tom Slick (1.5 inch IIRC)
Amazon has them, but they aren't cheap at $74 per tire...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product//B0074O9OUW/ref=twister_dp_update?ie=UTF8&psc=1

However, the Big Apple looks pretty similar and is quite a bit cheaper.

[HillDancer]

Another option for the Super Moto http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;product=101751;menu=1000,2,103,104 ;mid%5B6%5D=1;pgc%5B81%5D=272;pgc%5B82%5D%5B445%5D =1

Schwalbe Marathon Almotion (http://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/marathon-almotion.html), low rolling resistance due to no overlapping plys across the center and high synthetic compound mix, puncture resistant belt yet crown remains supple (even when cold), stiff sidewall allows lower air pressure and stable cornering performance. Mount tubeless for even less energy consuming hysteresis. The recent Microskin version isn't available, but I've been using the original non-TR/TL-Easy casing mounted tubeless for a couple thousand miles. It is my favorite all-around tire.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iE8coHUnah8/VUKpXiM3CQI/AAAAAAAABuU/zQZ5A4Qui7E/s400-Ic42/P1030261.JPG