New Season, New Tires, New Thread

[jono]

I’d go with the 2.3s. On my 26 mm Arch MK3, the 2.5 DHF was workable but looked a bit balloon-like. The Minions, even in 2.3, should be a good step up grip-wise from the Rapid Robs.

I lean that way for the same reason, but since it's her bike and she wants to look down at something silly wide that becomes a problem.

Did yours roll over too easy or have any functional issues besides the look?

[LeeLau]

I put 2.5 Minion WTs on wife's 26mm ID E13 rims. She loves them. They're on a Chromag Surface 29er

[cmcrawfo]

I'm looking at putting a set of Maxxis' WT tires on my wife's 29er, which is sporting 21 mm rims. I ran a DHF in (old) 2.5" width on rims of about that width on my old 26" bike with good results, but what's up with being "optimized for 35 mm rim widths?" Is WT too wide to work on a 21 mm rim? Is she gonna die?

She wants to go wider than her worn out 2.25 Rapid Robs, which seems a solid move. Considering 2.5 DHF/2.4 DHR2 vs. 2.3's which don't seem like a minimal step up (she's going to be looking down at that front tire; apparently this is a major factor). TIA

WT tires are designed to fit 30-35mm rims. For a 21mm rim, you just need a regular tire profile. You should be able to find a Minion in 29x2.5 that doesn't have the WT designation (No?)

Edit .. after a quick look, maybe not.

A WT tire on an rim less than 30mm is going to change the shape of the tread profile, in that it will require a greater lean to engage the side knobs

[skaredshtles]

<snip>
She wants to go wider than her worn out 2.25 Rapid Robs

Almost anything will be a step up from those worn out crap-tires.

[cmcrawfo]

Almost anything will be a step up from those worn out crap-tires.

Jeepers, no kidding. I just looked at that tread pattern.

Just get a minion in a 2.3, it will be night and day. It will be lighter than a 2.5 and have less rolling resistance. Win.

[toast2266]

I'm looking at putting a set of Maxxis' WT tires on my wife's 29er, which is sporting 21 mm rims. I ran a DHF in (old) 2.5" width on rims of about that width on my old 26" bike with good results, but what's up with being "optimized for 35 mm rim widths?" Is WT too wide to work on a 21 mm rim? Is she gonna die?

She wants to go wider than her worn out 2.25 Rapid Robs, which seems a solid move. Considering 2.5 DHF/2.4 DHR2 vs. 2.3's which don't seem like a minimal step up (she's going to be looking down at that front tire; apparently this is a major factor). TIA

Going from a relatively narrow, relatively low knobbed tire to one of the biggest, knobbiest tires on the market seems like overkill. There are probably better options that will give her the balloon-ish visual that she wants but will fit a 21mm rim better and probably weigh less and roll faster than a DHF. I'm making some assumptions about how aggressively your wife is riding here, but jumping all the way over to the DH end of the tire spectrum might be unnecessary, and for a bigger tire on a narrower rim, a tire with some transitional knobs might ride better (especially for a less aggressive rider). Big tire + narrow rim = rounded tire profile, so it can be hard for someone who isn't leaning the bike way over to engage the side knobs (but some transitional knobs will pick up the slack, to some extent). So maybe a 2.4" Ardent, or a 2.4" WTB Trail Boss would work well, or a 2.35" Nobby Nic.

[jono]

Almost anything will be a step up from those worn out crap-tires.

True. But she's had time on a number of bikes wearing DHF, DHR2, HR2 and Aggressors in the last few years, so it's not just a comparison to crap. She Hates the RR's and for the way she's riding lately I can see her benefiting from a lot more tread.

I'd take Lee's comment and run with it, but her wheels are Turbines with 21 mm ID, so it's kind of extreme. Wish I could find some non-WT's.

Going from a relatively narrow, relatively low knobbed tire to one of the biggest, knobbiest tires on the market seems like overkill. There are probably better options that will give her the balloon-ish visual that she wants but will fit a 21mm rim better and probably weigh less and roll faster than a DHF. I'm making some assumptions about how aggressively your wife is riding here, but jumping all the way over to the DH end of the tire spectrum might be unnecessary, and for a bigger tire on a narrower rim, a tire with some transitional knobs might ride better (especially for a less aggressive rider). Big tire + narrow rim = rounded tire profile, so it can be hard for someone who isn't leaning the bike way over to engage the side knobs (but some transitional knobs will pick up the slack, to some extent). So maybe a 2.4" Ardent, or a 2.4" WTB Trail Boss would work well, or a 2.35" Nobby Nic.

I've given some thought to the transition knobs, too, as she's not as accustomed to leaning the tires hard. OTOH, her only tread left just now is on the shoulders, so she's getting a Little practice! Interesting thought on the Trail Boss. I have that in the rear and it definitely likes to lean, too, but the transition is less abrupt than a DHF (or the Convict).

[jono]

So what's the story with the Ardent? Maxxis says it is more hard pack oriented but otherwise has higher rolling resistance and lower "cornering control" than several of their other tires: DHF, DHR2, Rekon, Griffin, and Forekaster, at least. Is there more to that? What gives?

[LeeLau]

Fwiw I kind of agree with others that 21mm ID is pretty narrow for WT tires.

I'll try to remember to get a shot of the WTs on the 26mm ID rims (they look "normal")

Wife wanted a bit more compliance for the hardtail which is why she got the 2.5 Minions. On another bike (Firebird dual sus) with 30mm ID rims she has 2.5 and 2.4 non WT Maxxis and is perfectly happy with that

[whyturn]

I really like my ride after moving aggressor to rear and minion DHF to front. Both are 29x2.5 and it handles well and grips good and seems to climb pretty well. Now if I can just build up cardio.

[sethschmautz]

I have Enve XC rims on my Tallboy. They are 19mm IW. I'm running a 2.5 DHF on the front and either a 2.3 Aggressor or Minion SS on the rear. I went from having a ~2.3 Ardent front, ~2.3 Ardent Race rear and the difference was night and day for me. The DHF/Aggressor/Minion SS are WAY more confidence inspiring and as a result, more fun to ride. Probably not the fastest rolling tires out there, but they are sure are fun.

The 2.5 DHF is the DC version - maybe it rolls a little faster...

Seth

[detrusor]

Looking to put a nobby nic 2.6 on a carbon rim, 26mm inside width, 30mm out side. Thoughts if this is wide enough?


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[sethschmautz]

Looking to put a nobby nic 2.6 on a carbon rim, 26mm inside width, 30mm out side. Thoughts if this is wide enough?


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Is there a recommendation from the rim manufacturer? I have a small ID, but Enve states that they will work fine up to 2.5s.

Seth

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[ticketchecker]

Faster rolling, but a good bit less cornering and braking traction than the DHF.

So maybe enough cornering and braking for a smaller rider that isn't pushing redline all over the place?

[skaredshtles]

So maybe enough cornering and braking for a smaller rider that isn't pushing redline all over the place?

Probably.

But it sure won't help them progress to a rider that *does* redline it all over the place.

[ticketchecker]

Probably.

But it sure won't help them progress to a rider that *does* redline it all over the place.

Yeah, at 54yo I'm happy with my JRA all over the place

[jono]

So maybe enough cornering and braking for a smaller rider that isn't pushing redline all over the place?

How much traction is enough can be dependant on the rider's goals more than anything. For someone that isn't pushing the limits constantly but can feel little traction losses (even subconsciously) more traction equals more confidence. (Not to dissuade you, it's a compromise anyway, of course.)

[skaredshtles]

Yeah, at 54yo I'm happy with my JRA all over the place

May as well just run slicks. Really good rolling resistance on those.

[ticketchecker]

May as well just run slicks. Really good rolling resistance on those.

Right, now get off my lawn

[skaredshtles]

Right, now get off my lawn

Wait. That's my line...

[Jonny Snow]

I'm looking at putting a set of Maxxis' WT tires on my wife's 29er, which is sporting 21 mm rims. I ran a DHF in (old) 2.5" width on rims of about that width on my old 26" bike with good results, but what's up with being "optimized for 35 mm rim widths?" Is WT too wide to work on a 21 mm rim? Is she gonna die?

She wants to go wider than her worn out 2.25 Rapid Robs, which seems a solid move. Considering 2.5 DHF/2.4 DHR2 vs. 2.3's which don't seem like a minimal step up (she's going to be looking down at that front tire; apparently this is a major factor). TIA

I'd strongly recommend a 29x2.3 DHR2 EXO/3C/TR front, and a 29x2.3 Minion SS rear, set up tubeless. Works well with that rim width, very little or no weight gain, MUCH MUCH more traction, still very good low rolling resistance. Excellent all around trail riding combo.

[ticketchecker]

How much traction is enough can be dependant on the rider's goals more than anything. For someone that isn't pushing the limits constantly but can feel little traction losses (even subconsciously) more traction equals more confidence. (Not to dissuade you, it's a compromise anyway, of course.)

Compromises are the name of the game in skis and bikes right? I'm running 2.5 DHF/ 2.4 DHR on i35 rims now, just test rode some industry nine wheels on my bike at NEMBA Fest with 2.3 Ikon/Minion SS combo. I get back to the I9 booth and the rep asks how the wheels were, I said hard to really say but holy crap those tires are fast. Has me thinking wider isn't really better for how I ride.

[jono]

Compromise: the reason a quiver of one is usually a little off? A second set of wheels might be calling after all.

[ticketchecker]

Compromise: the reason a quiver of one is usually a little off? A second set of wheels might be calling after all.

True, I can't imagine having a ski quiver of one.

You might have just helped me decide which width to order the i9 wheels in since I'm keeping the wheelset I already have. 27 & 35 will give me choice of a rolling rocket and a burly setup. The 35's will probably live in a Karate Monkey w/3" tires until needed on the Bronson.

[frorider]

Just built up some 28 mm IW rims for my 150 travel ibis mojo HD AM/XC bike. While I went for heavyish 2.5WT tires on my Nomad/Fox 36 with similar rim width last year, my Ibis will get something lighter and faster rolling. Leaning toward maxxis Rekon 2.6 3C up front, and Forekaster 2.6 dual compound rear. These nominally 2.6 tires coming out seem to have a casing width around 2.4” ie biggish but nowhere near a plus size tire.

Open to other suggestions.