Mavic or American Classic

[ACM]

That's false (the narrow tyre = low rolling resistance bit) - wider and lower pressure has been repeatedly shown to have lower rolling resistance in MTB applications, due to the constant undulations of the terrain itself. In perfectly flat instances, like road riding, higher pressures and narrower tires are preferable for lower rolling resistance. 

 

Not the case in MTB. In MTB, wider = better grip, lower pressures, lower rolling resistance. 

 

The tread pattern & rubber durometer and tread depth are what you need to look at to determine fast rolling or not, not how skinny it is. Go as wide as you can, within reason obviously. 

 

Yes, you're absolutely right; my mind left me there for a while! 

 

The only reason then for a narrower tyre would be for weight savings. Example... the difference between the Fast Trak 2.2 and 2.0 is about 40grams - if that matters.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

The math behind the wider & lower pressure is better theorem is essentially as such:

 

Wider & lower pressure tires deform to the surface more easily than narrow tires of the same pressure, and tires of higher pressure. As a result, when the tire hits an obstacle in the road / trail, the wider, lower pressure tyre will deform to the characteristics of the obstacle, and not be diverted from it's path as readily as a tire that is either narrower with the same pressure, or higher pressure. That allows more energy to be converted to forward motion rather than keeping it in a straight line. 

 

There's a lot more to it, but essentially that's what it comes down to.

 

So - 2.25 front and back. 

 

you also have to consider that if you put a 2.1 / 2.0 on to a rim that wide, the characteristics of the tread itself may be compromised. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Yes, you're absolutely right; my mind left me there for a while! 

 

The only reason then for a narrower tyre would be for weight savings. Example... the difference between the Fast Trak 2.2 and 2.0 is about 40grams - if that matters.

yeah, indeed. But 40g weight loss on a tire that won't grip as well and roll as well as a larger, more voluminous tire - not worth it at all. Not to mention that in the same tests, tire weight was shown to be almost inconsequential when compared against the gains with width, tread and pressure changes. 

[ACM]

yeah, indeed. But 40g weight loss on a tire that won't grip as well and roll as well as a larger, more voluminous tire - not worth it at all. Not to mention that in the same tests, tire weight was shown to be almost inconsequential when compared against the gains with width, tread and pressure changes. 

 

Jip, thanks for the feedback.

 

So, on the AC wide lightning (29mm internal width) you recommend Ralph/Ron 2.25 snakeskin.  I'll then stick to my plan in terms of fitting my current 2.25 Ralphs (front and back) and test as such before trying something else.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Jip, thanks for the feedback.

 

So, on the AC wide lightning (29mm internal width) you recommend Ralph/Ron 2.25 snakeskin.  I'll then stick to my plan in terms of fitting my current 2.25 Ralphs (front and back) and test as such before trying something else.

Indeed. In the Schwalbe stable, nothing but snakeskin or Super Gravity casings. Their "performance" line is ****. 

[mtbride]

Thanks for the input guys, I'm dropping close to 1kg in wheelset weight if going with the 2.25 RoRo and RaRa tubeless snakeskin setup, from my current wheel setup (PXC2 with non snakeskin RaRa 2.25's with the slime tubes), so I guess a 40g here and there is not worth it in terms of less grip etc. etc.

[ACM]

Thanks for the input guys, I'm dropping close to 1kg in wheelset weight if going with the 2.25 RoRo and RaRa tubeless snakeskin setup, from my current wheel setup (PXC2 with non snakeskin RaRa 2.25's with the slime tubes), so I guess a 40g here and there is not worth it in terms of less grip etc. etc.

 

40g over 1kg... no brainer

 

Just for interest sake.... the RaRa and RoRo claimed weights are 605g each (2.25 snakeskin).  I've had 5 tyres (3 x RaRa and 2 x RoRo) and each of them weighed between 640g and 660g (on a parktool electronic scale).

[Cacey]

My AC wide lightnings are on the bike, RaRa back and RoRo front, both 2.25 and the feel of the rims are absolutely awesome, did not gain allot from my Bontrager RL rims in terms of weight (about 200g for the pair) and yet the roll over feels very light. Used to have the RaRa on the front and can't believe I didn't do the RoRo front sooner, grip is SOOOOOO much better.

[ACM]

My AC wide lightnings are on the bike, RaRa back and RoRo front, both 2.25 and the feel of the rims are absolutely awesome, did not gain allot from my Bontrager RL rims in terms of weight (about 200g for the pair) and yet the roll over feels very light. Used to have the RaRa on the front and can't believe I didn't do the RoRo front sooner, grip is SOOOOOO much better.

What pressures are you running & your weight?

[Cacey]

Started on 1.8 front and back and weight currently (before xmas) was 76kg but will try 1.6 front next and see if it is good or not.

[Cacey]

Weight of front and back