Quick question on tyre sizes...

[GoatBeard]

I'm going to drop the knobblies off a MTB and get some slick, faster road style tyres. Currently on 26x1.95. Happy to go down to 26x1.50. Doing some tyre shopping, what would the equivilent compatible sizes be? 50-559? Or are those size units only applicable specifically to road or other bike/rim types?

Or could I go down to 1.35 ;-)

 

[GoatBeard]

Amazon product ASIN B001IB1BZSView: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Schwalbe-Performance-Raceguard-Speedgrip-35-559/dp/B001IB1BZS/ref=sr_1_252?crid=1L4U9FCZDOVBF&keywords=26%2Bbike%2Btyre&qid=1653405823&refinements=p_76%3A419159031&rnid=419157031&rps=1&sprefix=26%2Bbike%2Btyre%2Caps%2C59&sr=8-252&th=1&psc=1

 

[Threevok]

I recommend these

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-es...Dr9dQ325N8HyfIB1Xx0aAuiwEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

and at £7.99 each, you can't go wrong.

Had mine for ages now and still good as new

I wouldn't go down any lower than 1.5 and check your rim's min spec

 

[T4tomo]

Yes 559 is correct ERTO rim size for a 26" MTB

 

[Wobblers]

The first number in the tyre size is the tyre width in millimetres, so 50-559 is roughly 1.95 inch width. For 1.5 inch width, look for 38 mm tyres (38-559). I've got an old rigid steel mtb shod with 1.5 inch tyres which cope perfectly well even with the craters masquerading as roads up in Glasgow. You should be fine with 1.5 - and in fact, using a slightly wider tyre means you can run at lower pressure so have a more comfortable ride.

 

[Ajax Bay]

I wouldn't go below 1.5" (37mm) on a MTB rim / bike. It'd just look a bit odd, for no ride quality or rolling resistance benefit. Slicks 1.95 for the win.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

I got hold of some Marathon Greenguards in 26" x 1.75". very tough tyres.