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Cheap + quality + 26 tires = unicorn?

1521 Views 19 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Timothy G. Parrish, Jan 28, 2022

noapathy

Discussion Starter · Jan 27, 2022 (Edited)

First, yes I know I'm a cheap so-and-so. Anyway...I've been searching on and off the last year or so for some decent 26er all around tires for under $30, but they don't seem to exist. Not talking about wire bead or "performance" level, but at least mid-tier. They used to pop up under $20 and often much less fairly frequently, but I'd be happy to just keep it under $30 these days. I've found several deals on 27.5/29 in this range on my hunt, but none on 26 and they tend to start around $50 for what I'm looking for (Conti ProTection, Vittoria with graphene, Schwalbe Evo, Maxxis EXO+, etc). It's for a backup bike, but c'mon. It's almost Feb - the dead zone of riding. There should be something!
Pic for attention.

Tire Wheel Automotive tire Synthetic rubber Tread

(mods - if this should be in tires, feel free to move it there. I thought it might get more "traction" here

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1 - 20 of 20 Posts

Bonnie&Clyde

· #2 · Jan 27, 2022

I think those thrilling days of good quality for a good price "non wire bead" are gone. Im a 26 inch wheel rider and the last tire I bought this summer was a
Maxxis - Ardent Dual Compound Tubeless MTB Tire | Excellent for All Mountain Bike Trails | EXO

and I looked high and low I paid $58.91. In fact I bought 3 sets of 26 inch tires this past year and none where cheaper than that Maxxis above.

Reactions: 1

Timothy G. Parrish

· #3 · Jan 27, 2022

Browse eBay. I regularly pick up tires for less than retail. I see several 26" tires and sets for cheap right now.

Since 26" is relatively dead for the big name brands, you're not going to find much and not much on the cheap these days outside of eBay.

Sent from my brain using my hand.

Reactions: 1

noapathy

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 27, 2022

Timothy G. Parrish said:
Browse eBay. I regularly pick up tires for less than retail. I see several 26" tires and sets for cheap right now.

Since 26" is relatively dead for the big name brands, you're not going to find much and not much on the cheap these days outside of eBay.

Sent from my brain using my hand.

Thanks, but I definitely have. What's your threshold for cheap? Can you give an example so I'm sure we're on the same page if you don't mind? My ebay search skills aren't the best with their new craptastic format, so I may be missing a lot.

Reactions: 1

phantoj

· #5 · Jan 27, 2022

Schwalbe Tough Tom or Rapid Rob? Too cheap?

Reactions: 1

noapathy

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 27, 2022

phantoj said:
Schwalbe Tough Tom or Rapid Rob? Too cheap?

They were off my list, but it may come to those unless I happen upon something in the next month before typical March price increases kick in.

IMeasure

· #7 · Jan 27, 2022

Unfortunately no 26", but while we are discussing value tyres these are supposed to be excellent value for money 27.5 and 29"...

www.deliumtires.com

DELIUM TIRES

Browse our collection of 29 and 27.5 mountain bike tires. Delium mountain bike tires cover all terrain conditions, ride styles and disciplines: xc, light trail, enduro, gravity, downhill.

www.deliumtires.com

Here is a review incase you missed it

https://m.pinkbike.com/news/review-deliums-versatile-tires-offer-value-and-performance-for-45.html

There are 4 tyre types, Fast, steady, versatile and rugged. Each type comes in 2 different constructions. Prices range from $35 to $55.The Rugged is basically a DHF, and the All round compound is somewhere between Exo and exo+ MaxxTerra and the Reinforced is more like MaxxGrip DD.

Have not tried them but they could be something to shake up the industry a bit.

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noapathy

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 27, 2022

IMeasure said:
Unfortunately no 26", but while we are discussing value tyres these are supposed to be excellent value for money 27.5 and 29"...

DELIUM TIRES

Browse our collection of 29 and 27.5 mountain bike tires. Delium mountain bike tires cover all terrain conditions, ride styles and disciplines: xc, light trail, enduro, gravity, downhill.

www.deliumtires.com

Here is a review incase you missed it

https://m.pinkbike.com/news/review-deliums-versatile-tires-offer-value-and-performance-for-45.html

There are 4 tyre types, Fast, steady, versatile and rugged. Each type comes in 2 different constructions. Prices range from $35 to $55.The Rugged is basically a DHF, and the All round compound is somewhere between Exo and exo+ MaxxTerra and the Reinforced is more like MaxxGrip DD.

Have not tried them but they could be something to shake up the industry a bit.

Saw it, but thank you for the effort. Did you notice my post is about 26" or that I said I've had no issues locating 27.5/29?

sgltrak

· #9 · Jan 27, 2022

My 5'0" wife is still on 26 so I will be in the market soon for her. Maybe there is something useful here?

www.performancebike.com

Mountain Bike Tires

Shop our huge selection of mountain bike tires. Durable and fast designs from top brands like Maxxis & Schwalbe

www.performancebike.com

KenPsz

· #10 · Jan 27, 2022

If your frame/fork can handle the width look at Duro tires.

cookieMonster

· #11 · Jan 27, 2022

I have a 26” Magic Mary new in a box I’d sell pretty cheap if you’re interested. It’s a 2.35” wide version AKA actually about 2.5.” I ran another one on the back of my bike last year and it lasted all season with still some life left. My new bikes are 29” or mullet so I don’t think I’ll need this tire. PM if interested.

Reactions: 1

milehi

· #12 · Jan 27, 2022

Some places like Jensen stopped carrying 26". Cambria has a good selection but wait for a holiday when they go on sale. I picked up some kevlar bead Contis for my wifes bike for not much over $20 around Thanksgiving. I just checked and they're $54 now. I was looking on Amazon but the inexpensive stuff is all wire bead.

noapathy

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 27, 2022

KenPsz said:
If your frame/fork can handle the width look at Duro tires.

I don't have any experience with that brand other than I've gotten tubes long ago. The frame won't go much more than 2.4 and the fork only slightly wider. Is there a model or something I should look at? All I get is Walmart-looking stuff when I search.

sgltrak said:
My 5'0" wife is still on 26 so I will be in the market soon for her. Maybe there is something useful here?

Mountain Bike Tires

Shop our huge selection of mountain bike tires. Durable and fast designs from top brands like Maxxis & Schwalbe

www.performancebike.com

I remember looking there and wondering about the quality of those CST tires, but maybe you've heard different? IIRC, the reviews said something about being unpredictable (maybe in the wet?). And then not much below $30 so I sort of gave up.

milehi said:
Some places like Jensen stopped carrying 26". Cambria has a good selection but wait for a holiday when they go on sale. I picked up some kevlar bead Contis for my wifes bike for not much over $20 around Thanksgiving. I just checked and they're $54 now. I was looking on Amazon but the inexpensive stuff is all wire bead.

That's the kind thing I'm after - not too picky on brand as long as they're good n cheap. Maybe Valentines?

KenPsz

· #14 · Jan 27, 2022

noapathy said:
I don't have any experience with that brand other than I've gotten tubes long ago. The frame won't go much more than 2.4 and the fork only slightly wider. Is there a model or something I should look at? All I get is Walmart-looking stuff when I search.

Duro has a 26 x 3.0 tire that is pretty good if put it on Rhyno lite rim.

Duro 26 x 3.0 DH Tire

Pretty beefy and seal up tubeless really nice.

The forks I have (manitou and marzocchi) can fit the tire.
Now for the rear I have gone to using 24 inch rims with 3 inch tires that fit nice in two frames I have done so far.

I have a soft spot for the old bikes.

rton20s

· #15 · Jan 27, 2022

If you haven't checked, look at Bike24. They often have very decent spec tires very cheap. Of course, it could take some time and you're paying for shipping from Europe. That could negate the cheap cost of the tires themselves. A quick search showed quite a few folding bead tubeless 26" tires from Continental, Schwalbe and Michelen for under $30. For a little more, you get into Maxxis.

Also keep an eye out for the big sales from Specialized. A few months ago, they had absolute steal prices on a lot of their tires.

11053

· #16 · Jan 27, 2022

Lots of options for you if you have an open mind...(and hopefully great dental and health insurance).
26" bikes have received new life in the pandemic as "kid's bikes"...at least where I live. The number of kids thrashing around on old 26" Superbikes is amazing. What was once a 5K+ dream ride in back 1860 something is now little Billy's sub $500 skid machine.
Parents freak out when they new see tire prices as 1/4 of what they paid for the whole bike.
So, I've been outfitting locals on several of the cheap 26" tire options from amazon. Several 2 for 1 deals that meet your price requirements if you have an elastic interpretation of "decent". Some have great tread and good quality.
Or, just spend a bit more and get your known 26" favorites at the higher price. Do the amortization? How often are you going to be replacing 26" tires from here on out?

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Timothy G. Parrish

· #17 · Jan 27, 2022

noapathy said:
Thanks, but I definitely have. What's your threshold for cheap? Can you give an example so I'm sure we're on the same page if you don't mind? My ebay search skills aren't the best with their new craptastic format, so I may be missing a lot.

$50 or less per tire, including shipping. No Chinese or off-brand junk. Often, you can score on NOS discontinued ones. I've been picking up a few discontinued Michelin models I like for a few years now, but in 27.5s.

Sent from my brain using my hand.

noapathy

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 27, 2022 (Edited)

KenPsz said:
Duro has a 26 x 3.0 tire that is pretty good if put it on Rhyno lite rim.

Duro 26 x 3.0 DH Tire

Pretty beefy and seal up tubeless really nice.

The forks I have (manitou and marzocchi) can fit the tire.
Now for the rear I have gone to using 24 inch rims with 3 inch tires that fit nice in two frames I have done so far.

I have a soft spot for the old bikes.

Dude, that's $55. I can get actual premium tires for that. And it won't fit to boot.

rton20s said:
If you haven't checked, look at Bike24. They often have very decent spec tires very cheap. Of course, it could take some time and you're paying for shipping from Europe. That could negate the cheap cost of the tires themselves. A quick search showed quite a few folding bead tubeless 26" tires from Continental, Schwalbe and Michelen for under $30. For a little more, you get into Maxxis.

Also keep an eye out for the big sales from Specialized. A few months ago, they had absolute steal prices on a lot of their tires.

Totally on board with the bike24 idea if I can think of something else to get at the same time to help the shipping make more sense (something like $25 IIRC).

I have some 27.5 coming from Specialized right now...delayed by FedEx, but a great price.

11053 said:
Lots of options for you if you have an open mind...(and hopefully great dental and health insurance).
26" bikes have received new life in the pandemic as "kid's bikes"...at least where I live. The number of kids thrashing around on old 26" Superbikes is amazing. What was once a 5K+ dream ride in back 1860 something is now little Billy's sub $500 skid machine.
Parents freak out when they new see tire prices as 1/4 of what they paid for the whole bike.
So, I've been outfitting locals on several of the cheap 26" tire options from amazon. Several 2 for 1 deals that meet your price requirements if you have an elastic interpretation of "decent". Some have great tread and good quality.
Or, just spend a bit more and get your known 26" favorites at the higher price. Do the amortization? How often are you going to be replacing 26" tires from here on out?
View attachment 1967317

Not sure which ones you're talking about. I've heard of amazn, but most listings I see are too high, OOS, Walmart quality or some unknown thing from overseas. Also, their search plain sucks.

noapathy

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jan 27, 2022

Timothy G. Parrish said:
$50 or less per tire, including shipping. No Chinese or off-brand junk. Often, you can score on NOS discontinued ones. I've been picking up a few discontinued Michelin models I like for a few years now, but in 27.5s.

Sent from my brain using my hand.

Gotcha - $50 is $20 more than I've ever paid for a tire even when I needed one right away (last year). And I can still find those prices...just not on 26. Well-stocked on 27.5 these days (I think like a dozen or more).

Timothy G. Parrish

· #20 · Jan 28, 2022

noapathy said:
Gotcha - $50 is $20 more than I've ever paid for a tire even when I needed one right away (last year). And I can still find those prices...just not on 26. Well-stocked on 27.5 these days (I think like a dozen or more).

www.ebay.com

New Michelin Wild Grip'r 26x2.10 Tubeless Ready Tire | eBay

Tubeless Ready.

www.ebay.com

It easy. Just go to category, sporting goods, cycling, tires, 26 inch. I see some good stuff, like the link above.

I bought a bunch of Duro brand tires on clearance, like $5 per tire. I regretted it. They had about $5 worth of grip.

Sent from my brain using my hand.

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