20 Best 26 Inch Road Tires For Mountain Bike (Jan 2023 Update)

These tires are great for pavement use. I recently replaced my mtb tires for these big apple. You can immediately feel the difference in comfort and reduced rolling resistance in these tires. Im a heavy rider so comfort was important to me. Very happy with these tires and will will replace with the same times when these do eventually wear out.Daniel G.

I was so happy to get these tires and riding around town they are great. Very comfortable, fast and added at least 10% to my bikes range. I had total confidence in them until one day I had to ride on gravel for a short distance, it was like riding on ball bearings. As I get further from town it only gets worse, I am not trying to ride trails or even casual off road but these tires are dangerous on gravel or any loose surfaces as such they can't remain on my bike. I am disappointed the expert at Scooteretti didn't mention this.David H.

I use Big Apples on the rear of my Mountain Bike. They are great for summer when it's dry. I run them soft so I get a nice smooth ride over loose stones and small bumps. Tread has withstood several 100 mile rides on the lovely but flint strewn and rutted South Downs Way. Good for road use. Great for towpaths too. Rolls well. Reasonable puncture resistance. I use Slime sealant as an extra puncture protection. Works well.woodgate2144

These replaced Continental 4000S tyres. The Gatorskin is a tighter fit so be prepared to use tyre levers for the last bit when fitting. They are tough especially on the sides because just as many punctures happen there as elsewhere on a tyre. I'm in the Swansea area which has a lot of bikeways cos the Council wants to make the place into bike city and they are succeeding, but the roads are diabolical. Nothing is ever puncture proof but these Gatorskins are about as close as you can get and they roll along wonderfully. I wouldn't put anything else on my bike and I don't really care that they cost in the 25 to 30 quid zone. My bike is a Cannondale Caad8. Stevecymro61

I am now in my second year of riding on these tires. I live in mid Michigan = crappy,rough, debris filled roads. I was riding light weight high performance Michelin tires. I loved them. but only could get 2000 miles out of them. I would average at least 10 flats in a season = 5000 miles. With the Gatorskin's I got 5000 miles out of the rear tire, and still have my first one on the front @ 7600 miles. Still looks good. I have had only one flat in all this mileage ! They ride and handle great. Not a super light racing tire. but for real world long bike rides these are fantastic.coi138

I've been using these tires for many years and have found them to be quite reliable. Yes, I've had a few flats, but I'd like to think that number would been much higher had I not been using the Gatorskins. I've been able to get what I consider good mileage out of them with nominal wear to the tread surface. However, what does give me cause for concern are the sidewalls. When I first started using them I began noticing black hair-like threads hanging off the sidewall close to where the tire is seated to the rim- *not* at the point of contact with the rim, but about 2-4 millimeters away from the edge of the rim. Moreover, this happened not just on one rim or one bike, but it's happened on multiple rims and bikes. I've come to the conclusion the sidewalls are simply delaminating on a thread-by-thread basis and I haven't experienced a complete sidewall failure. I just have to take a pair of scissors after the threads every so often. Just for reference, I generally use 700×23's, but have had the occasion to use 700×25's and 700×28 (only once). I had originally thought it might have been a heat build-up issue from using a trailer, but I haven't used that in several years now and it didn't seem to make a difference. All that said, I like the tires- but I wish I could have greater confidence in the sidewall construction. If not for that, I would rate the tires with a "5".aboone768

I’m so glad that Maxxis still sells a true 27.5×3.0” aggressive trail tire. I’ve been riding 29ers and 29+ for more than a decade and never had an interest in 27.5” wheels…until now. I’ve built up an aggressive hardtail as a mullet bike (29+ upfront and this 27.5×3.0” High Roller 2 out back). I’ve tried several different rear tires over the years but for the desert chunk I always come back to the DHF or DHR2 as those have provided the best combination of grip and longevity. The HR2 definitely provides the grip. If the longevity is also there and can hold up to the desert chunk then it deserves a 5 star rating.Tim N.

As a rider who enjoys the downs more than the ups (considerably more), the original Maxxis High Roller was a favorite rear tire of mine, even living in the arid clime of Colorado. When they updated it to the High Roller II, I likewise updated my setup because I was so enamored with the tire. Faster rolling than a DHR II, but retaining many of that tire's braking and cornering characteristics, the High Roller II sports Maxxis burly side walls which are a must in the rock filled, tire eating trails of Colorado. It has a slightly wider gap between the center knobs and the cornering knobs than some other tires we offer, which gives it a bit of a different feel. A drift point becomes noticeable part of the way through a lean, which allows you to aggressively slap the tire into a berm, where it hooks up and propels you out the back of the turn. This is a disconcerting sensation at first, and if a "loose" feel is not something that appeals to you at all I would look for a different tire. This tire runs the gamut of conditions, from the rocky, hard pack of CO to the wetter conditions in my current home of the PNW. It is a great all around tire for those of you who like to get rowdy, and features Maxxis' hardy construction. It isn't the lightest tire out there (none of Maxxis' tires are) but as it's name suggests it rolls well for how aggressive it is. The 3C tread is always a solid choice, quite durable, and will still grip when things get slippery. As a long time favorite, it is definitely worth a try.Dan P.

I've been running this tire in the Pacific Northwet (the s is silent) for about half a decade. I've yet to find a rear tire I like better. It is a great compromise of grip to rolling resistance, and clears mud well. Exo has been fine for me, without a single issue, riding all over the PNW. Probably ought to knock on wood after that last sentence. I've ran both minions (dhr, dhf), assegai, most of the wtb lineup (vigilante, judge, verdict, verdict wet), and my favorite combo is still verdit/verdict wet front and hr2 rear. The minions did well pointed down, but lacked the climbing traction the hr2 has. The vigilante and judge are both skittish on roots and the verdicts are bit aggressive for putting on both ends.Edward

Using as rear tire on Turbo SL ebike on MTB trails west of Denver. Much much better than the Specialized Eliminator 2.3 that came with the bike and only lasted a few weeks before multiple puctures and lots of side knobs were falling off. DHR II is heavier, which doesn't really matter on an ebike, but I think the thicker casing will eliminate a lot of flats. Still fairly new but seems very supple and you can feel some cush which helps with more grip/traction. Dual compound is great for the rear and will last much longer than the more expensive Terra or Grip compounds. Shipping is expensive but you still can't beat this price. Just bought two more and they arrived about 10 days faster the second time.Chris

It always should be said to choose the proper tool for the job. With respect to traction in turns and on the damp, these tires are legit. I doubled up and ran DHR II both in the front and rear. Still getting a feel for it but so far I think it is just as good as a DHF/DHR combo. I push about 25psi/26psi front to rear (195lbs). I am notorious for being rough on tires and tend to slice side walls in the chunky stuff here in CO. I switched to Bontrager SE4 and they stood up well. So why come back to Maxxis and if you are rough on tires why go with a tan sidewall which is less durable… Because it will lighten things up weight wise,, but really because it looks dope as hell. I'm working on line choice this summer and sparing my bikes trauma. I'll look good while doing it.Bryce R

I love the DHR2 as a rear mtb tire. I tried the Dissector, but it didn't have quite the breaking traction I was looking for. I am about 3 yrs into this mtb journey after years of bmx racing. I want the lightest toughest tire I can get my hands on, like everyone. Maxxis EXO came OEM with EXO. Took a while to cut the rear tire, but did on a very sharp rock. The rock was like a knife, stuff happens. However EXO+ is not the way to go. I have been through 3 EXO+ rear tires in less than 2 yrs. I ran the Dissector DD for 6+ months no problems. I go back to the DHR2 for the grip. I have a Cushcore installed to keep from getting pinch flats like I did on the last EXO + DHR. 1 min into a 8 min stage, I hear the rim hit, not hard and then feel and hear the air screaming out of it. Ultimately kept me off the podium. Now I read articles from 4 months ago, Maxxis knows the EXO+ casing is not holding up it's end of the bargain, so they are making it now like they should have in the first place. Maxxis, can I get my $105 back or a new tire that doesn't puncher if the wind blows to hard? I had less than a month on a DHR2 and a hole smaller than pin head cost me the money and a race. I like Maxxis and have only purchased Maxxis for my mtb. I have now had to purchase another $100+ tire a DD. However, a brand new tire should not become useless after 10-15 rides, unless you are riding something the tire wasn't designed for. Traction and rubber compund are a 4 star +. Please make sure you rate your tire sidewalls appropriately. I could have saved $25-$30 and gotten the same performance out of a EXO. If Maxxis would like to contact me, and offer a new tire that would be awesome. The tire looks brand new except for a very very small hole. The tire literally got a hole, the first rim ding after putting on Cushcore.Pat M.

I have been bike commuting for about 4 months 2,000 miles. I really wanted to keep going through the winter but my stock tires did not provide any traction on icy conditions. With these winter tires, traction is greatly improved. Over smooth ice you will feel very confident. In soft snow the bike will press down and give a good grip. Sometimes there are frozen tire tracks from cars which will will pull your bike along like a train on tracks. This was downright scary with my stock tires. Now I feel a bit uneasy but it is manageable. Noise: they aren’t as quiet as the stock tires but you could use them all year if you wanted to. On pavement I would compare the noise as cracking of a fire or a bowl of rice cereal haha. It really doesn’t bother me. On ice they are quieter. When you go through snow they are perfectly quiet. Shipping: they arrived one day sooner than expected which was great. I was disappointed that REI charged me two $60 oversized package charges even though both tires fit in one box. Installing: I installed these myself with little difficulty. Just take note of the arrows that indicate the rotation of the tires. My stock tires were 28” and these are 29” but they fit perfectly on my Gazelle T10 ebike (See picture)Brian

It's the first time I ever ride a bike in winter, and I got these as a birthday gift. I run on 45×700c in summer and these are 40×700c, so I could reuse my tube. On dry roads or asphalt, the studs make it sound like you're cycling on a gravel road. You can feel the difference on icy or snowy patches: you can keep the ride going without much hassles.. It feels safer than summer road tires, but don't expect to beat Mother Nature! On ice, locking down your wheels will make you slip. The studs allow you to build up speed and keep the momentum just enough. Muddy or compacted snow will build up and your rear wheel might slip. And it's a normal behavior – your bike will try to get on the tracks. Slow down, get on easier gears and keep control. I did not have the chance to try them on freshly dropped snow. So far, I'm not disappointed. I'm glad to be able to use my bike all year long!Diego

Last winter I was riding on non-studded tyres in Boston, MA area. There were few close calls and sometimes I had to dismount. Looking forward to give these highly rated tyres a try. Will report. The international delivery time was typical (weeks) but with duly provided tracking number it was not a problem.Al

I’m a huge Maxxis fan, and the Ardents are another great example of why I love Maxxis tires. These are fast rolling but still aggressive tread. I haven’t put a ton of miles on them yet, but they mounted up tubeless easily and ride and look great. Thanks to Cambria Bike for a great deal and fast shipping too, top notch!Josh M.

Before I moved to the wet, muddy, and rooty Pacific Northwest, I spent six years riding out of Fort Collins, CO. Dusty hardpack hicking trails littered with baby heads were my stomping (or cycling) grounds, conditions that require a certain compromise in tread pattern to maintain traction. The Maxxis Ardent became my rear tire of choice for these arid conditions. The knobs are closely spaced enough that it rolls quickly, yet aggressive enough that there is loads of stopping power when you need it. The widely spaced transition knobs offer enough feedback that you can comfortably zoom through those off camber bench cuts that Colorado is known for, and then lay into those steep switchbacks knowing the fairly aggressive cornering knobs may slide for a second on that moondust, but will catch you in time to keep you away from the abyss. One common encounter in these rocky, desert conditions is slashed sidewalls. Although Maxxis doesn't make the lightest tires in the business, they do know how to make a tire that can hold up to abuse. The EXO casing is above par in terms of it's ability to fend off sharp rocks that are doing their best to slice through and send your tire sealant spewing all over the place. If a fast rolling yet aggressive tire for dry, arid conditions is what you need, I'd highly recommend the Ardent. Like I mentioned, I'd typically run this tire in the rear, usually in the form of a 2.25 with the EXO casing. For a front tire in dry conditions, I personally like the ubiquitous DHF, but the Schwalbe Nobby Nic also does a good job if you are looking for something a little less aggressive.Dan P.

I don't normally leave reviews but thought my experience could help others. I've ridden with this as a rear tire for the last 6 months and many, many miles and rides across Arizona, Utah and Colorado. 1) This was the hardest tire ever for me to get on the inside of the rim. No issues seating tubeless after that though. 2) Sidewalls are VERY thin. So thin sealant constantly leaks through them everywhere (see photo). I have to constantly add more sealant than I've added on other tires to keep them from going flat or very low on a regular basis. 3) Grip was noticeably improved over my warn Bontrager XR2s but the tire is narrower. But that's what "race" is going for I guess.Kevin C

Sunlite tires hug the road and don't lose contact on sharp turns. The lightweight durability keeps one on the road or trail longer. Know this because I went around water and hit a hole in grass. Thankfully, the high quality Sunlite tire kept the rim from getting bent. Having 55 psi helped. The structure of the tire is made well. Here we pay for quality & with Sunlite tires one can't go wrong. Use Sunlite Tires and ride with more pleasure in one's peace of mind.joelrwon

One of the tires came damaged, it had a little bit of the wires exposed and when it became inflated it burst and caused more damage to my cherished three wheel vintage 1975 Schwin! This was my first time ordering using google, and delivery took almost a month. I need to send the one tire back, and have it replaced along with a tube to go with it. Here is the picture… how and whom do I contact to have this done? Thank you
Tanya and Brian Dibble Tanya Dibble

The tire arrived without any defects or imperfections. It was easy to install on the rim of the wheel. When inflated the edge of the tire fit snugly within the rim of the wheel. The tire rides smoothly and quietly. The tread is even and is not wearing out too quickly.hoas-27

Can't beat these tires for a mountain bike that's on the road a lot or a bmx cruiser like I put mine on. They bead up easy and look mean, wish they made a 29er tubeless version.taynor_6725

Instant grip compared to the standard ones fitted. Got thorns on tyre but no puncture. Even look good. Quick delivery guys. Love your siteAlby B.

I’ve wanted these for years and finally bought a set to make my 90s MTB look and feel updated. These ride great. Shipping was fast and packed well.James M.

I purchased two of these, at the same time. Changed it right there in the parking lot…. I ride over and up to at times 50 miles a day. Average 30…..Were talking highway roadside…highway debris….Ozarks, railroad tracks……KATY Trail….and a lot of commercial city parts…and construction sites…and alleys. I do a lot of volunteer work, salvage, and survey….and first response. I use my bike to make a living. It has to roll like a top, and my tires have to be indestructible and reliable, hassle free….I use my bike. Period. These tires, are not for casual cruising, but can be…they have a cruiser tire for that…..these have tread, that will cause some drag wind wise. and the good ol humming from well, the tread…vibrating..on smooth concrete…..But if you need a bully…of a tire…. They are for bully travel… They are very grippy, and will throw water straight up in the air behind you up to 8 feet due to the design….at low mph….like a grippy…sticky tire should. They are grippy. You need mud flaps for these… I recommend running them at 40 psi. Which is what I have on my Roadmaster, Mtn Bike…the last year they made those….by the real company. Since I have bought this set….I have put on over 850 miles of highway, and 250 of country, and 350 of city….and they still look new. I have ran over, glass, thorns, metal, metal debris…nails…cans….side of mountains..curbs….etc. etc. No flat yet. I paid 21 dollars a piece…so a set of these for me was 42 plus tax…Well worth it….I expect to make it last. You get what you pay for. Kevlar….a bullet proof vest material….now in a tire. It works well. We'll see how long it last before they dry rot…But so far. They have held up great. A normal tire, I blow in a week. These are still holding up….highly recommended. Just put them on right, and air them up to the recommended psi. No complaints here.SmittyTheRedElf

Got some good use out of these things, having replaced the tires two years ago. One of them finally punctured today from a piece of broken glass, after the ridges filed all the way down, but for two years, you can't get better quality than this. It did what it was supposed to do; can't ask for more than that! In my city, the sidewalks and streets are old and cracked, there's pebbles everywhere, and plenty of broken glass which I've found myself driving through, so I definitely recommend these for bad road conditions even if you're not doing a lot of actual "off-roading".Nicholas

Good tire for my mountain bike. I rode on this tire all last summer and didn't get any flat tires due to the kevlar composite construction. Bought it at a good price also. I rode on blacktop, cement, and common trail conditions and very rugged trail conditions and this tire handled it all. I will probably buy another one and put it on the front to match the pair.bookbuilder

Years ago, I got the 26" X-King, which is a similar tread, for my 125 pound intermediate wife. She tore those tires up within ten miles or so. I decided to give them another try, in the reincarnated Cross King version, 29×2.3 and they have definitely solved the durability problem! 750 grams, 2.28" carcass width at sub 20 psi and knobs slightly wider. If you like the Rocket Ron or the Rekon, you'll like these. They roll fast and hook up well. I've only tried them on the back, but they work well on the mellower XC type trails on the Wasatch Back. I decided I needed a little more traction, so I went to a Mountain King on the back, and wrote a review on those, but if you don't need more rear wheel traction than a Rekon, for example, these are 5 star. BTW, I did not notice the stiff sidewalls described and in fact, found them supple. Similar to a 29×2.35 Nobby Nic, or Rekon, in fact, but grippier than the Rekon.Nawrocki

Ive been using Maxxis HR and HR2 for many years but just got sick of their high prices and figured there must be an alternative. I tried a bog standard Trail King and I now have them fitted front and rear on both my hardtail and full sus bikes. Cant say anything about longevity yet but the grip is good in conditions from mud, snow and dry trails and they roll well on the road too. Ive even managed to set them up ghetto tubeless and they work fine run at about 28psi. They are very very tight to get on initially though. Get a big long strong tyre lever!johnf8175

My previous tires were halfway worn. I changed tires to try a tubeless setup for the first time, and also to improve grip. I ride XC trails most of the time and never do jumps, downhill, or anything crazy. I do enjoy going from 15 to 30 miles distances with climb challenges. So these tires seem a good fit for what I do. I was able to install these tubeless in my cheap non-tubeless-ready rims by adding more layers of tape. These are my first tubeless tires, but I had installed tubeless tires before for other bikes. I could say these were the easiest to install so far. Still you will need a compressor, and also install them first with a tube for several hours to straighten the edges. These have more grip than the tires that came with my bike. With the stock tires I had a few close calls, that is why I wanted to improve grip. But, as expected, with the additional grip came more rolling resistance. So far I am very happy with these tires.ramirezv

Great durable tire, and I even ran it tubeless despite being non-TCS. Never had a problem. Just be aware that the 2.3 is considerably larger than a Maxxis HRII of the same indicated size. I was unable to run it in the rear because it simply did not fit without significant rubbing (Kona Process 153). PROS: Durable, Easy To Install CONS: Oversized BEST USES: Mountain Biking, Tacky, LooseDMac

These are great tires. They are a bit large as far as 2.3's go. Traction is excellent. Whether climbing steep slopes or descending . They also mounted very easily for wire beads tires.Daniel

The WTB Vigilante tire is a incredible bike tire. The bite it has in the trails on rocks,hard pack and loose soil is awesome. Tires are very self cleaning and don't get clogged with dirt and mud. They completely changed they way my Specialized FSR rides and handles in the trails. I will definitely purchase these again when I need a new pair.gam_5028

I was looking for new tyres for my bike and decided on Schwalbe Maraton Plus for their puncture resistance. I have a Halfords lass than a mile from my house so I checked and they were in stock. However, I wasn't sure on the sizing as the widest ones stocked were slightly narrower than the markings on my existing ones suggested. I intended to order for click and collect due to Covid restrictions but decided to walk up to the store so I could ask for advice. I couldn't have been happier with the service I received. The member of staff who served me was both polite and knowledgeble and put my mind at rest that the tyres I had in mind were easily wide enough for my rims. The tryres were marked up at a higher price than on the website but the store were happy to match the online price. I made my purchase, went home and fitted the tyres. My first ride on them confirmed I had made the right decision. Thank you Halfords for helping guide me to this decision.martinetuk

Some say these tyres are difficult to fit, I tied a piece of cord around the rim and tyre for the 'tight' last few inches of fitting, and then just pushed the tyre on with my fingers; job done. These tyres weigh approx. 960g. and whilst that's some 230 grammes more per tyre than the originals on my Crossfire 2; I haven't noticed any increase in resistance whilst cycling. After about 120 miles, no punctures to date, they're nice and quiet, with no perceptible effect on handling either. The reflective strip around the bead is a very smart idea, especially if you're a night-time cyclist, and the tread depth is more than the original tyres. The bike handles well on tarmac surfaces, and not too bad on gravel and mud, they are after-all a sort of one size fits all tyre. Overall, I'm happy with these tyres; and hopefully I'll get a few thousand miles out of them this year. Click and collect from the Whitstable branch, which still isn't listed; hence showing Canterbury instead.Arthur Eyetus

I had intended to replace the Schwalbe Tyrago rear tyre which had been on my e-bike from the start with one the same as it had given good service and had an ideal tread pattern for my needs. Unfortunately, that model was no longer available, but the Marathon Plus seemed like a good alternative as according to the manufacturer's description and customer reviews it seemed like a pretty tough hybrid tyre with good puncture resistance and is e-bike rated. I would have preferred a more knobbly tread pattern at the sides for extra grip on the odd muddy track, but since most of my riding is done on firm forest and estate roads as well as tarmac, that wasn't a priority. The fit on the rim was reassuringly snug and it centred itself nicely. I just managed to fit it without tyre levers, which reduces the risk of nipping the tube. So far I've only ridden a couple of hundred km on it, mostly in dry conditions, so it's too early for a performance report, but the obvious quality of manufacture and good fit means that I feel confident inflating it to max pressure to minimise rolling resistance.AlanBadger

This is the best tire I've had. It is so smooth and fast on smooth trails. The knobs are not too aggressive but enough grip for loose gravel but not so much on wet conditions. Sticking with Maxxis on next purchase.Angelo M.

I have run this tire for years. A very smooth rolling tire on both the street or trail. Fast yet a great grip. Long lasting even at 60 psi. I’ve consistently gotten 3000 miles on the back tire. Rotation I’m thinking would add to that. Want a fast mountain bike tire to ride anywhere this is it.city by the river dude

Use this for gravel riding. Really good rolling. Felt stable in gravel. Really good price. Shipping was a bit longer than expected date. Very happy with the tire.Mike

I've put about 2,000 miles on these and there is still tread left. I commute mostly on paved rail trail and some road. I just had my first flat a few weeks ago. A small piece of glass had worked it's way through to the tube. When I looked over the rest of the tire I found additional glass, a little piece of wire, and rocks also stuck in the tread. I don't know how long it had all been in there, but the fact that only one thing made it through made me feel good about these tires. They roll fairly fast for a 1.75-inch width, too. I run them at about 60 psi on pavement, and would drop them to about 50 for gravel. PROS: Durable BEST USES: Road Biking, Casual RidingBrother Jev

Great tyres, Affordable, good traction, looks awesome. Totally different ride compere to my old mtb tyres 27.5 x 2.10. Fantastic service. Received them quickly.Piotr

I like this wide tire for my mid 90s rocky Mountain mountain/gravel bike. I needed to replace an old tire that came with the bike, (like 15 years old) I like the fact that is has punchture resistance built in because I ride where there are lots of stickers. This has a good tread patern for my riding mix of 70-80% pavement and 15-20% dirt. its quite and smoth on the pavement but has enough grip for the times I go on dirt road excertisions. I quite like the look of the tire also.royphotog

I was looking to replace a set of drifters because the ride quality and the construction are a huge draw to this tire. It has a dual compound longer wear in the center and better grip off center. Plus it has flat protection. I went with a narrower profile (1.5" vs 2") This time since I no longer ride it off road but, on the 2" previous set it was great and survived everything thrown at it. the inverted tread means it rolls super smooth but still has traction in dirt mud and sand. The new tires feel great and much lighter give the 200 gram per tire difference. The service from Cambria was awesome as well. I ordered the 1.5" based on the rims as i could not find the size on the tires themselves. So I asked customer service and based on my usage they thought the tires would be fine and they were right. I am very happy with this purchase and glad I chose Cambria!CHRIS N.

Tires arrived quickly and in well protected In individual boxes. I’m restoring a 30 year old mtb to mainly ride on pavement for exercise. Just finished going through cleaning the rear wheel, cassette and bearings And mounted the first tire. It looks awesome but I haven’t rode it and that’s why I rated it four stars. When I get 500 miles on it it could be a five star !Kevin S.

I got 3 flats with MaXXis in a week, on different tires. I couldn't believe it! I tried Vittoria tires and absolutely love them. I have replaced all my Maxxis (15) with Vittoria. Love the Mazza to replace DHR and DHF, the BARZO for trail, and Mezza for XC and Trail. My stable is covered by Vittoria. Oh, in two years, no flats. What's that worth in fun and money and reputation, and, and, and….Anonymous

aggressive for a drop bar gravel rig but i go through grass and fields and muck pretty routinely. love how well they take me through it all. 700×2.1 had rubber hairs rub the fork so they likely need to go but only if i can find the 27.5×2.2s first. not noticing the higher rolling resistance on pavement b/c i am too busy looking for places to jump onto dirt. set up required LBS to pop them onto rims to set as my little pump could not seat them. once seated they filled nicely an easily though they still leak through side wall prolly b/c they're the race version. but they air up before rides and keep topped off through rides just fine. am refilling with air every 3 days and have also added a bit more sealant which seemed to help. these have transformed how and where i can ride. i am in love, but know they're still a bit long in the tooth for the fork. still, they look brilliant and ride extremely well. may be seeking more Vittoria out for my bikes especially since Panaracer tires seem to have lost their stick over the years.spychica

I normally run the excellent Vittoria Mezcals for XC racing……a super quick tyre thats fast rolling, progressive in grip and excellent in dry conditions. But I needed something that could cope better with damp conditions and slippery off camber sections that seem to becoming the norm in British XC racing these days, so tried the Barzo. It looks more agressive and has deeper side tread, spaced out slightly taller knobs but still retains a fast rolling off set centre tread. Quite honestly it doesn't feel any slower than the Mezcal in a mixture of conditions – even on the road, but off road, its definitely more grippy and can be leaned on loads more – turns in much better etc. Perhaps slightly heavier due to the extra tread so I went for 2.25 versus 2.35 that i ran on the Mezcals to compensate. They set up easy tubeless and they also look super cool with the grey side walls……(if the looks are important to you). Not cheap but you pay for what you get. So a great all rounder and highly recommended.Lawson

I needed a pair of tyres to fit new wheels I had purchased, because I could not get a replacement freehub for the rear wheel and a replacement hub for the front wheel. I had decided to go slightly narrower than my existing 38C tyres and picked these as they seemed to offer good rolling resistance, grip and puncture resistance. Most of my cycling is carried out on Cycle Paths/ Trails. Currently they have only been used on three rides on cycle trails varying from 18 to 30miles. Each time they have been used I have improved my previous times for the same ride so it would seem that the improved rolling resistance claims are correct. It may be the reduced width but they seem a bit squirrely at just under 40mph on fly ash, but it may also be that is not the optimum surface or speed for these tyres. I would recommend these and will purchase the equivalent if these ever wear out.Roy D.

So pleased I bought these tyres. Upgraded my old 38mm tyres to these 40mm tyres and couldn't believe the difference it's made. The ride is so much more comfortable and the added grip is truly exceptional. The tyres are heavy but worth it for that extra puncture protection. The extra tread also means I can venture further off the beaten track. Reflective sidewalls are an added safely feature. Fantastic tyres!Dudley C.

For a heavy rider or heavily loaded bike or just for the ultimate in commuter reliability these are the best you can buy. They have reinforced sidewalls & wire bead and the 26×2.0's are rated for 130kg per tyre. I've only had one puncture on two bikes used daily for the last 3 years and that was a 6inch nail that went in and out! They even roll well for such a heavy tyre. There are only 3 downsides. 1. The 2.0's are very difficult to fit & get to sit evenly on rims under 30mm. I use Ryde Andra 40 & Halo SAS rims and they go on by hand & sit perfectly with no effort. 2. They look like off road tyres but have no grip on anything other than tarmac or gravel tracks. 3. The price.NOtotheEU

The Schwalbe Marathon plus tires are very dependable and perfect for commuting on gravel or asphalt roads. After 3000 km no punctures.Tim

This tyre gives a good compromise between the road and trail. The reflective band is a good safety feature. Being puncture 'proof' is reassuring. Good all around tyre for the keen cyclist.3370james

Love these! I have a Merida Big Nine 5000 and had begun experiencing punctures on every other ride – so, I decided to swap out the stock Maxxis Ikon tyres that came with the bike from new Not knowing much about bike equipment, I did the normal research over a few weeks and these Schwalbe Marathon Plus' seemed to keep cropping up in my puncture-proof tyres search – looking through the normal review sites (Amazon and specialist bike blogs etc) whilst most reviews sang their praises, there were the odd comments about weight/slower/not so quiet etc Having swapped them out myself (which was easy, 30 minutes tops for both tyres), I could not be happier with them – can barely hear them at times, a big improvement in 'rolling' especially on tarmac and no noticeable difference on dirt paths from the Ikons It is still early days re the punctures (none yet), but I look forward to getting out now, with no fear of flats every time Couldn't be happier with them….like REALLY happy!!2015leighc

I only have about 100 miles on this tire (being used as rear wheel for recumbent trike). So far it has low rolling resistance and good handling. Happy so far.kchenderson-half

This tire doesn't grip super well on wet pavement. It has very little traction on gravel or grass. What it does do is roll fast on dry pavement. I replaced this same tire with a max pressure of 65 psi with this tire that can hold 100 psi. My hybrid bike gained about 1 1/2 mph in speed. I love riding smooth paved trails with this tire. On my bike this tire lasts about 6000 miles on the front wheel and about 4000 miles on the back wheel. I tend to get more flats near the end of the tire life as the rubber wears down and gets thinner. Most of my flats are from metal slivers that pierce the tire. It's also a good idea to let out most of the air when you put the bike in storage for the winter. One year I left the tires fully inflated and in the spring the tires had bulges on the sides. I don't ride in the rain and I stay on pavement. This makes the 100 psi Kenda Kwest my favorite tire. I always seek these out when I need new tires.scodygoods

I was a tad bit apprehensive, buying Kenda. For an inexpensive tire, this is a very nice surprise. Went on easily, pumped 'em up to 100 PSI (rated max), and had a very nice test ride. Roll well, with very little effort. These "slicks" with tread, transformed a mountain bike with knobbies, to a very nice street machine. The 26 x 1.5" tires measured 37mm at 100 PSI, and are just right for street/commuter use; and, look like they belonged there all along. . Very nice, Kenda and Jensen. Will buy more when needed.Phil

Continental has vastly improved the quality of tires. The Cross King has great grip and superior quality, perfect for mountain biking, but drags a bit when rolling on tarmac. You also have to be careful with the pressure that Continental recommends, it's an exaggeration and I don't even know how they recommend 44 psi! I use 27 at the back and 25 at the front and it's perfect. Anyway, a good tire I strongly advise. Unbeatable quality price. I will buy again.Artur

I ordered the 2.3 version. Its a very high value tire for 20. Dont be fooled by the "Cross country" label: this is a full-on trail tire that I would happily ride on bikepark flow trails. It rolls quite slow on damp terrain, but is less draggy on tarmac when run with not-to-low pressure. Tire has good support and excellent grip. The corner grip is very good too, the sidenobs are big and supportive. Again: the 2.3 is NOT a cross country tire: it outperforms the "mountain king 2.3" it replaced on cornering grip.Kees ko.

I've literally mountain bike using these tires over the years all around th world on every type of terrain. I prefer the 2.3s because you can run lower tire pressure (better grip) for bigger volume tires without a rolling resistance penalty. The side knobs are great for bite in the corners as well Pros: – durable – tread pattern is fast rolling, but grippy in most conditions and terrain – competitive weight for racing or if you like a lighter wheel set-up – sidewalls are strong! Cons: – can be hard to install on certain rimsSonya