When we talk about the legendary "old MTB" bikes from the 80s and 90s—the dawn of the mountain bike era—surely many of you have seen a cool bike sporting these tires, haven't you?
Thanks to the kindness of Panaracer, we are pleased to announce that we are now carrying the classic MTB tires, Smoke & Dart, in Japan—tires that were previously only available in the North American market!
【PANARACER】 Smoke Classic
Size: 26×2.10″
Color: Black x Skin
Price: 5,940 JPY (incl. tax)
【PANARACER】 Dart Classic
Size: 26×2.10″
Color: Black x Skin
Price: 5,940 JPY (incl. tax)
These will also be available for wholesale distribution through our wholesale division, CWD (Circles World Distribution). You will be able to purchase them at shops across the country, so we hope you use them to help restore or customize your old MTBs or revive your 26-inch frame bikes.
A Monument of MTB Tire Design
Brought to you by the world-renowned Japanese bicycle component manufacturer PANARACER, the Smoke & Dart are the ancestors of all MTB tires and remain the gold standard. Although refined from the original models, these tires are still firmly established in the overseas market today, beloved for their classic aesthetic and proven functionality.
The Dart was specifically designed for the front wheel and the Smoke for the rear, utilizing the latest technology of the time. According to Panaracer, "The rear Smoke's 3D knob design provides unparalleled grip during climbing and braking, while the front Dart's arrow-shaped tread ensures you never lose your line," making these truly a monumental achievement in MTB tire design.
A New Choice for Revitalizing Old Mountain Bikes
With the advancement of a sustainable society in modern times, "reuse" is being re-evaluated, and this is an issue the bicycle industry cannot ignore.
In the U.S., there is a reality where mountain bikes from the 1980s and 90s are still in active use today as commuter bikes or daily fun tools. At Circles, we never run out of consultations from people wanting to pull out their fathers' or grandfathers' mountain bikes, which have been sleeping in storage, and put them back to use.
26Inch Is Not Dead!
I believe that the essential fun and joy of bicycles do not change, regardless of whether they are the latest standards or old ones.
As modern MTB equipment advances rapidly and older bikes are often forgotten due to the fast pace of trends, why not choose this monumental tire from Panaracer—a source of Japanese pride—as a new option for revitalizing an old mountain bike that is receiving renewed attention as a cool bike for city riding?
While the 26-inch standard is often treated as an endangered species, we at Circles carry 26-inch bike parts, so please feel free to consult with us!
