In an Instagram post last month, Schwalbe reaffirmed its commitment to offering 26-inch tires for the countless riders who still rely on them for commuting, touring, and more. What are your trusted 26er tires on today’s market? Chime in here…

Twenty-six-inch wheels have long since fallen out of the industry spotlight, and for most bikepackers riding 27.5, 29, and now 32-inch wheels, they’re a thing of the past. Still, for others—especially globally and outside of our niche enthusiast world—they remain a reliable and plenty capable everyday standard.

Schwalbe recently shared an Instagram post maintaining its dedication to the size, writing, “While bike trends evolve, countless riders around the world still rely on 26-inch wheels every day – for commuting, touring, and adventure. That’s why we’re continuing to expand our 26″ lineup with new models and technologies, ensuring riders can enjoy the same performance, reliability, and innovation as ever.”

Even if innovations in the world of 26ers aren’t likely to make waves, we’re glad to see continued maintenance and development for the classic tire size. Many of us on the BIKEPACKING.com team had fun returning to 26-inch wheels for our Budget Bikepacking Build-Off, as that’s undoubtedly where you’ll find the best bang for your buck. Used wheels are readily available for relatively little, and there are many affordable tire models on the market, at least for now.

Though folks aren’t racing 26ers to podiums these days, for getting around town and traveling further afield alike, 26-inch wheels and tires are fun to ride, surprisingly competent, and spares are easy to find throughout the world. In my experience, taking a spin on a bike with 26-inch wheels offers a quick and concrete reminder that, despite all the advancements since small wheels were the standard, not that much has changed, at least in terms of what truly matters. Naturally, the experiences will differ, but the joy of riding is accessible whether you’re on a $30 garage sale find or a $10,000 titanium dream build.

If you’re still using 26-inch wheels, what are your favorite brands and models of tires, especially for commuting and bikepacking? We’d love to have some user-tested recommendations for folks dabbling in the wheel size. Let us know in the Conversation below!

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