New Season, New Tires, New Thread

[g_man80]

I'm going to try something similar on 30mm IW 29er wheels. Rekon 2.6 3c front and Ardent Race 2.35 back. As you mentioned the Rekon 2.6 appears to measure out around 2.5 and the AR 2.35 has been running a bit bigger at around 2.4 to 2.5.

[Rossymcg]

has anyone tried the continental tyres, I've heard good reports about them

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[D(C)]

has anyone tried the continental tyres, I've heard good reports about them

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I tried a Der Baron Projekt. The sidewalls were quite porous and I had trouble keeping it aired up tubeless. Too bad, because the tread and rubber compound was good.

[PhishingME]

I'm going to try something similar on 30mm IW 29er wheels. Rekon 2.6 3c front and Ardent Race 2.35 back. As you mentioned the Rekon 2.6 appears to measure out around 2.5 and the AR 2.35 has been running a bit bigger at around 2.4 to 2.5.

Was thinking of trying Rekon on rear with DHF up front as a fast rolling summer type tire. In the past I've used Tomahawk on the rear, but they wear out really quick. Rolling 27.5s.

[toast2266]

something lighter and faster rolling

...

2.6

You and I have very different definitions of light and fast.



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[scrublover]

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.

Swap those to Forekaster front/Rekon rear.

I'm currently digging a Rekon 2.6 back/Magic Mary 2.6 front combo on 30mm IW rims. Not stupid heavy or wide, but fun! Works well in my locale.

[Jonny Snow]

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.

It's really the best of both worlds. You get all the hype of claiming to run a plus tire, but with none of the shitty performance.

[skaredshtles]

It's really the best of both worlds. You get all the hype of claiming to run a plus tire, but with none of the shitty performance.

It's almost as if 2.4-2.5 is the sweet spot for mountain bike tires...

[Jonny Snow]

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

I understand your wife may have demo'd bikes with those better tires and identified (very obviously) that they are MUCH better. They are also likely attached to a better bike.

But that doesn't mean that she going to be well served by them for normal riding.

Keep in mind, the 2.3 minions in 3C MaxxTerra compound have more traction than a 2.5WT Minion Dual compound. Also keep in mind that the DHR2 is about a 100g lighter than same size DHF. 3C MaxxTerra is sometimes heavier than DC.

The Schwalbes she was running are utter garbage. I tried some 2.25 Nobby Nic (new style) in Gatestar/Pacestar, arguably the best traction 2.25 they make, and they were completely terrifying compared to a Maxxis Tomahawk. The Tomahawk is ok but dicy compared to a 2.3 Minion 3C. The Minion 2.3 3C offers more than enough traction for all but the most aggressive riders, most people will not approach it's limits. The 2.5WT DHF 3C has even more traction, and is completely overkill for almost everything.

If you really want her to be on the most confidence inspiring thing imaginable, the Minion Exo Super Tacky/MaxxGrip's have absolutely unreal traction, you feel like a god when riding them. They don't make them in 29 AFAIK. You could get her a LIGHT $1k+ 27.5+ wheelset and run the 2.5WT DHF EXO/MaxxGrip front with a 2.4 DHR2 MaxxTerra rear, that would be about the most unstoppable wheelset I can imagine that you could still pedal up hill.

[toast2266]

If you really want her to be on the most confidence inspiring thing imaginable, the Minion Exo Super Tacky/MaxxGrip's have absolutely unreal traction, you feel like a god when riding them. They don't make them in 29 AFAIK.

They make them, but only in a DH casing. ~1300 gram tire.

[plugboots]

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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This works for me, (Arch is 26 mm I.D., for example):

[ticketchecker]

Curious whether it matters to be in the middle of these ranges vs at one end or the other

[Jonny Snow]

They make them, but only in a DH casing. ~1300 gram tire.

Yes, that's why I said EXO.

[beaterdit]

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.

My experience is limited to Minions but mine are noticeably bigger than the 2.5 WT to the eye and measuring bears that out. Bigger in every dimension, height, width, tread, knob size and space between knobs. I think they're using the old 2.7 tread. Another thing I can tell you is the 2.6 IS NOT faster than the 2.5 WT to pedal. Definitely almost all the way on the 'fun' end of the 'fun/fast' spectrum. They are fun as hell though, and worth the drag IMO as long as you're not racing.

You and I have very different definitions of light and fast.



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Yep...

[funkendrenchman]

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.

I tried a 2.6 Forekaster and it is definitely bigger than my 2.4 Ardent which is very close to an actual 2.4.

[Jonny Snow]

I understand your wife may have demo'd bikes with those better tires and identified (very obviously) that they are MUCH better. They are also likely attached to a better bike.

But that doesn't mean that she going to be well served by them for normal riding.

Keep in mind, the 2.3 minions in 3C MaxxTerra compound have more traction than a 2.5WT Minion Dual compound. Also keep in mind that the DHR2 is about a 100g lighter than same size DHF. 3C MaxxTerra is sometimes heavier than DC.

The Schwalbes she was running are utter garbage. I tried some 2.25 Nobby Nic (new style) in Gatestar/Pacestar, arguably the best traction 2.25 they make, and they were completely terrifying compared to a Maxxis Tomahawk. The Tomahawk is ok but dicy compared to a 2.3 Minion 3C. The Minion 2.3 3C offers more than enough traction for all but the most aggressive riders, most people will not approach it's limits. The 2.5WT DHF 3C has even more traction, and is completely overkill for almost everything.

If you really want her to be on the most confidence inspiring thing imaginable, the Minion Exo Super Tacky/MaxxGrip's have absolutely unreal traction, you feel like a god when riding them. They don't make them in 29 AFAIK. You could get her a LIGHT $1k+ 27.5+ wheelset and run the 2.5WT DHF EXO/MaxxGrip front with a 2.4 DHR2 MaxxTerra rear, that would be about the most unstoppable wheelset I can imagine that you could still pedal up hill.

Here's a further "happy medium" option for the existing 29x21mm wheelset:

Front: Minion DHR2 29x2.4WT 3C/Exo/TR. Claimed 955g weight (accurate). Will appear VERY large, but not too rounded over on the 21mm rim, they are very square. Lighter than the 2.5WT DHF and not quite as big, but close. You can do the center knob cut (Bing it) to make it more front friendly and shave a bit of weight. Large casing for the 21mm rim but OK if you accurately set sufficient tire pressure before every ride. Very reasonable rolling resistance as a front tire. Heavy, but ok with a light tubeless setup - light tape and minimal sealant.

Rear: Aggressor 29x2.3 DC/Exo/TR. Claimed 900g (accurate). Will appear ample but not huge, good profile on 21mm rim, good rounded rear tire shape. Low rolling resistance but still excellent climbing, braking and cornering traction with good durability. The Aggressor is truly a unicorn/goldilocks all around rear tire, it lives up to the hype. Great on an FS bike.

This is about as good as you're going to get for an aggressive trail riding setup on that wheelset. I still say the 2.3 DHR2/SS setup is better all round, but this will be only about a half pound heavier while being very beefy for technical and downhill, with passable climbing and maneuverability.

[Jonny Snow]

It's almost as if 2.4-2.5 is the sweet spot for mountain bike tires...

[frorider]

Yeah when the tires arrived at the shop I quickly realized that the 2.6 Forekaster 60 tpi version is an 860 g mildly chunky tire more suited as a rear AM tire. Or a decent XC/AM front tire in the 3C version. Both it and the 2.6 Rekon have decently large casings. It’s still stretching out but yeah thisll be close to 2.6” wide. The Rekon 3C is fast rolling as a front. I’m gonna buy a Rekon dual compound 2.6 rear I think. The 2.5WT category from maxxis are equivalent. For loose conditions but pedaling efficiency, the forecaster rear / DHF 2.5WT (which I really liked last sumner) looks like a good compromise. But I usually run a heavier rear casing on my Nomad. YMMV.

[jamal]

I think the forekaster is meant to be used as a front XC tire in the mud while the rekon is the plus version of the ikon.

Doesn't seem like rekon front forkaster rear would be a good combo, but maybe the other way around?

[skaredshtles]

I think the forekaster is meant to be used as a front XC tire in the mud while the rekon is the plus version of the ikon.

Doesn't seem like rekon front forkaster rear would be a good combo, but maybe the other way around?

Can we just agree that they both suck?

[beaterdit]

Can we just agree that they both suck?

Just here for the LOLs!

[jm2e]

After several months of trying, and several flats, I ditched the 26x2.3 Aggressor. They don’t do a 26x2.5, which may have worked. I’ll never know.
Back to the DHRII. This time, tried out the WT. I’m about to rebuild my badly abused EX471 rim and figured this would be a great time to decide whether the WT does okay on a 25mm ID rim, figuring I could go bigger on the rebuild if it feels sketchy or flexy.
I’m here to say it works great. Not finished testing, but so far so happy to have a full commitment tire on there.

I’m not in it for the climbs. In fact, I don’t like climbs. So a 3% improvement in climbing efficiency is lost on me. But a 10% los in DH performance is felt on every single run and it hurts my fun factor.


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[jono]

Thanks for all the feedback on my wife's setup. I got her to looking at tread and shared a bunch of the collective's thoughts and wound up ordering a 2.3 Minion SS for the back and a 2.4 Trail Boss for the front. Worst case they both make good (but different) rears. Will report back.

[forty]

anyone comment on spec 26x2.3 vs maxxis 26x2.3 sizing?
grid vs dd casing?
finally found dhr2 dd 26x2.3 in stock but its $$$, spec tires are a bit cheaper but havent ridden any since sx casings
looking for a rear to match 26x2.5 dhf exo up front for pnw mostly fair weather riding, ive got a dh ply dhf and cut dhr to mix in when needed but the current exo isnt cutting it for me in the rear for pedally rides

[LeeLau]

anyone comment on spec 26x2.3 vs maxxis 26x2.3 sizing?
grid vs dd casing?
finally found dhr2 dd 26x2.3 in stock but its $$$, spec tires are a bit cheaper but havent ridden any since sx casings
looking for a rear to match 26x2.5 dhf exo up front for pnw mostly fair weather riding, ive got a dh ply dhf and cut dhr to mix in when needed but the current exo isnt cutting it for me in the rear for pedally rides

Specialized 2.3 is a touch wider than Maxxis 2.3

Grid seems to me to comparable to DD. Perhaps a touch less thick. As data I do rip Maxxis EXO where I don't rip Spec Grid