MTB Tyre Width

[flymango]

I'm sure this has been discussed a million times before, so apologies upfront for starting this as a new thread.

 

What width MTB tyre do you use, front and back, and why? My question is mainly aimed at XCO riding, with a fair measure of single track in the mix.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Me - 2.35 front and back. More like a 2.5 in a actual size though. Firmly in the "as much St as possible" category.

[RocknRolla]

Nothing less than 2.2

 

on the SS (build in progress) i have some fat 2.3 WTB's (29er)

 

Current SS has 2.2 rear and 2.4 mountainking in front. 26inch

[Mojoman]

2.2 up front and what I thought was a 2.2 rear, however once fitted the tyre is more like a 2.0!

[flymango]

Please enlighten the uninformed - why you guys going wider? Mainly for DH and single track traction? How does wider role compared to narrower?

[Flippa]

2.35 Nobby Nic on front and 2.25 Bontrager 29.3 Team for the rear on a rigid SS 29er. Higher volume=lower pressure, better traction.

[RocknRolla]

There is a lot of compromise, as I think a wider tyre with less agressive tread will not benefit as much as a less wide tyre with a really aggressive tread.

 

Theory is that the wider tyre has a bigger contact patch with the ground, thus increasing grip - but this also increases rolling resistance.

 

Edit>

 

My personal preference is to have a tyre with the most agressive pattern possible, to increase grip. I like cornering, a lot and Tyres with sketchy grip spoils my riding experience (such as the Black Panthers I currently have on my FS 26er)

 

I used a Kenda Karma during last years Sani, and i must say I did not regret it for one bit, it made the Singletrack sections most enjoyable.

 

so for me: grip over weight/rolling resistance always.

[Vangar]

2.35 Scwalbe Racing Ralphs on my Silverback 26" though. I prefer a wider tyre at slightly lower pressure, just feels better to me and more planted. And 2.1 Geax Mezcal's 26" on my Giant, got them cheap, great combination tyre for some road riding inbetween, rolls great but not great grip in sand.

[flymango]

I guess the question I posed is incomplete, if I don't also ask what type of tread.

[Skylark]

Off road riding a wider tyre at lower pressure is faster than a skinnier tyre of the same type at higher pressure.

So wider is faster and more comfortable, wider is heavier though...

[RocknRolla]

My opinion is that at recreational level tyre weight is not a consideration.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Off road riding a wider tyre at lower pressure is faster than a skinnier tyre of the same type at higher pressure.

So wider is faster and more comfortable, wider is heavier though...

 

And wider rims make it even better - help stabilize the tire by preventing it from rolling onto itself (sidewalls become flatter, instead of being pinched in to the rim)

[ThePubSA]

"Sorry guys slight hijack"

 

which brand makes the biggest diameter/circumference.. (if im using the right words) tyres regardless of rim width.

I know the sizings are abit different across the board.

 

Who makes the biggest 2.2/.3 trying to get the biggest tyre i can, as 2.4 wont fit.

[Capricorn]

"Sorry guys slight hijack"

 

which brand makes the biggest diameter/circumference.. (if im using the right words) tyres regardless of rim width.

I know the sizings are abit different across the board.

 

Who makes the biggest 2.2/.3 trying to get the biggest tyre i can, as 2.4 wont fit.

 

schwalbe is well known for having tyres wider than other brands at the same width. So ppl say the 2.35" schwalbe is more like a 2.5 Maxxis for instance. I read somewhere else that schwalbe widths are actually truer to size than the rest with the latter underreporting the sizes.

[Nofearnofun]

"Sorry guys slight hijack"

 

which brand makes the biggest diameter/circumference.. (if im using the right words) tyres regardless of rim width.

I know the sizings are abit different across the board.

 

Who makes the biggest 2.2/.3 trying to get the biggest tyre i can, as 2.4 wont fit.

 

WTB Bronson is pretty phat, The 2.3" is wider than a 2,35" High roller and very close to a 2.5" Minion!

[Capricorn]

for MTB: wider tyre with lower pressure = more grip & less rolling resistance

The counterpoints are: increased windage and weight (rim and tyre).