Is 26" dead?

[Inbred]

I've heard the phrase "26 is dead", quite a lot lately, but never took much notice...
That is until a did a bit of online shopping and noticed that 26" tyres are, more often than not, "out of stock!"
As a proud owner of a Thorn Sterling, I'm getting a little paranoid about the availability of tyres and rims in the future.
Although, SJS/Thorn seem to be sticking to their guns and continuing to sell their range of 26" bikes.
Does anyone have any experience, views, information?
Thanks

[mickeg]

You can still buy 27 inch (ISO 630mm) tires years after everyone stopped making bikes with that size wheel.  Selection is not that great, but they can be found.

My folding bike takes a 24X1.5 tire which is really hard to find, I keep a few spares on hand because of that.  I can't fit the more common 24X1.75 into the frame.

Years ago (before internet shopping existed) I eventually gave up trying to buy a totally obscure tire for a three speed bike that I had bought used, the tire was a 26X1 1/2.  That tire size is 650b and now they are easy to find again.

There are other things that I am going to worry much more about than my ability to buy tires for my three 26 inch bikes.  A decade from now I might be a bit more concerned, but not yet.

[Mike Ayling]

There are other things that I am going to worry much more about than my ability to buy tires for my three 26 inch bikes.  A decade from now I might be a bit more concerned, but not yet.

A decade from now 26 (559) will probably be all in vogue in the MTB area again!

Mike

[Mike Ayling]

Although, SJS/Thorn seem to be sticking to their guns and continuing to sell their range of 26" bikes.

Thorn may be hedging their bets slightly as they now offer the choice of 26 or 650B (wirh disc brakes) on their Twin Raven tandems and may also offer it on their singles.

Mike

[John Saxby]

I think that a 650B wheel & tire would fit on my Raven:  I have 52 mm x 650B mudguards/fenders, and there's half an inch-plus of adjustment available on my Deore brakes. Schwalbe offers a Marathon Supreme in a 42 x 584 size if the 42 x 559 is declared obsolete.

[Danneaux]

Back in 2012: http://thorncyclesforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=3893.msg17072#msg17072
 

Best,

Dan.

[John Saxby]

Thanks, Dan.  That predates me 'n' my Raven    (But I shoulda known, I guess.)

OTOH, maybe I future-proofed myself without knowing it...fortune favours the clueless sometimes, eh?

[Andre Jute]

A decade from now 26 (559) will probably be all in vogue in the MTB area again!

And earnest "experts" will tell you it is a "premium format" justifying the higher price.

[Inbred]

Back in 2012: http://thorncyclesforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=3893.msg17072#msg17072
 

Best,

Dan.

Thanks Dan. This was a real eye-opener!
I checked my Thorn Sterling and it too has ample tyre clearance (Thorn say up to 2.4") and V-brake adjustability (At least 18mm, that I can see).
It's also disc brake ready, as an added bonus!
However, converting to 650b would mean at least a new front wheel, a rear wheel rebuild (To keep my Rohloff hub), plus tyres and tubes. It may also mean swapping to disc brakes, due to the scarcity of rim brake compatible 659b rims. Which would also mean new forks!!! 😳😳😳
Maybe I should just stock-pile 26" tyres.
I hear Duremes are nice?
Thanks for the help 🙂👍

[energyman]

If the worst comes to the worst then I will do what my great aunt did during the occupation of the Channel Islands in the 40's and use a length of rope spliced into a circle.
With the added bonus of being puncture proof.

[Pavel]

by the time 26" is dead ... so shall I be.

[Andre Jute]

If the worst comes to the worst then I will do what my great aunt did during the occupation of the Channel Islands in the 40's and use a length of rope spliced into a circle.
With the added bonus of being puncture proof.

Right handy for garroting invaders too.