Why would you want this narrow a tyre on a 26" MTB type touring bike? They will roll no better, they will be less comfortable, given you'll have to run them at a higher pressure[Edit: and they'll look odd.] The only benefit might be that they are (a bit) lighter. Get rid of (or minimise) the tread (especially knobblies) - yes. Narrower - ?
Picked up yesterday
They still have some Schwalbe Table Tops for £4
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYSCTTW/schwalbe-table-top-wired-tyre
With you on that one matey............on the MTB anyway! Might look a bit comedy on the roadie!
My best rims are for narrow 26 inch tires, and I find a narrower tire easier when covering greater distances. I am faster on narrower lighter tires, in my case.
When they were available, some years ago, I used to like Continental Cross Country 1.5"s. Might have looked a bit odd I suppose, but here on the Isle of Wight a lot of the bridleways are made up of clay soils. I used to find that the 1.5"s would cut through the sticky, claggy surface to bite on something a little firmer underneath. Those same trails ridden on 2.1"s or similar would mean slipping and sliding around. The narrower tyres also gave massive frame clearance, minimising the inevitable build up at the brakes (back in the V-brake days) and the chainstay / bottom bracket area. Have traditionally always run my tyres a little on the firmer side anyway, so no problem with pinch flats with the Conti 1.5"s.
Thank you. I shall look into those, as I like Continentals. Being tall and heavy, I prefer the 26 inch option for touring. I modified a Schwinn Impact with drop bars etc., and it functions much like a Surly 26" Long Haul Trucker. It has the taller frame, and can take different wheels for differing situations. It is steel, lightweight, and has all the braze- ons I could imagine.
Ahhhh.........the lure of steel! I still love my 1993 Kona Lava Dome. A great quality example of a steel frame......and just a great bike all round in my opinion.
You obviously didn't know about the brilliance that was Smoke/Dart combo.
Panaracer Smokes and Darts were a favourite too back in the day, as were the original Specialized Storm Control tyres, the ones with the large teardrop shaped knobs on then. Now that has to be the best mud tyre I used.........and it was a revelation on wet grass. In its 1.8 version, still gave me plenty of clearance too.You obviously didn't know about the brilliance that was Smoke/Dart combo.
