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2.4 and 2.6” Tyres....
 

2.4 and 2.6” Tyres. What’s the advantages/disadvantages?

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The reason for the question is that I’ve ordered 2.6 Magic Marys from Leisure Lakes as part of my Cycle 2 Work order. My order contained a screenshot of what I wanted but the invoice shows 2.4 tyres, it’s hard to tell really as the pdf was poor quality (like a scan) and so missed the difference on the invoice. 

I ride and ebike and that’s the reason I chose 2.6 and my current tyres are 2.6, I’m guessing it’s best to have 2.6 tyres on an ebike due to the extra weight of the bike?

What are peoples thoughts? I probably need to send them back but I don’t where I stand as the invoice shows them as 2.4 and my screenshot of the order being 2.6


 
Posted : 22/06/2026 9:47 pm
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 mboy
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Lots of variables, but ultimately comes down to personal preference...


 
Posted : 22/06/2026 9:51 pm
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I generally ride Dartmoor or visits to Trail centres in south wales. My major concern is the tyre  being too small for the weight of the ebike and damaging the rim if the pressure isn’t high enough. 


 
Posted : 22/06/2026 9:55 pm
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I've gone from 2.6 butchers on the front to 2.4 hillbilly on one bike and 2.4 purgatory on another.

The hillbilly's grip much better in mud, the purgstory's oll a wee bit better.

The 2.6 butchers soaked up a wee bit more trail chatter.

So not a huge difference for me. 


 
Posted : 22/06/2026 11:17 pm
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I'd say for the same tyre make and model a 2.6 will grip better as it can be run at lower pressures.  Loved a 2.6 Forecaster on the front of my Ripley


 
Posted : 23/06/2026 5:38 am
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The real world difference between the two might not be that great too. My 2.6 front tyre is basically the same size as my 2.4 rear tyre on my 30mm rims. I certainly don’t think the slightly smaller size will damage your wheels.


 
Posted : 23/06/2026 6:16 am
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I doubt you'll notice the difference, and you may even prefer the smaller size. You will need to run them at a slightly higher pressure to compensate for the smaller size, and that will make them a b it less compliant and grippy. On the plus side, they'll feel more precise in the corners.


 
Posted : 23/06/2026 9:23 am
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As above, I can't really tell the difference between the 2.6 on the front and 2.4 rear (when I've  a Mary on the rear) on the same rims - There ought to be 0.2" of width difference but it's not that much.  

You won't die either way.


 
Posted : 23/06/2026 9:39 am
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I liked 2.6 on the back of my old Pace hardtail but can't say I'd be bothered between the two on full suss. Casing and compound are more important.


 
Posted : 23/06/2026 11:47 am
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Sizing is very inconsistent but I’ve found that on both my hardtail and my ebike I prefer tyres that actually measure 2.4” - wider is more fussy with pressure (boingy if too high, squirmy if too low) and worse in proper mud (floaty). Any extra smoothness isn’t worth it for me.


 
Posted : 23/06/2026 11:56 am
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Posted by: chiefgrooveguru

Sizing is very inconsistent but I’ve found that on both my hardtail and my ebike I prefer tyres that actually measure 2.4” - wider is more fussy with pressure (boingy if too high, squirmy if too low) and worse in proper mud (floaty). Any extra smoothness isn’t worth it for me.

 

Its more about the rims dying than me

 


 
Posted : 23/06/2026 1:40 pm
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"Its more about the rims dying than me"

You need a bit more pressure in smaller tyres. 2.4" is pretty much the standard size for MTB racing, be it XC, enduro or DH. I run a downhill casing on the back of my ebike and a foam insert on the back of my hardtail, to stop the rim being clanged hard.


 
Posted : 23/06/2026 2:27 pm
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These are the tyres, so should be ok then. 

SCHWALBE MAGIC MARY 29IN EVOLUTION

SUPER GRAVITY ADDIX SOFT TLE E-50 FOLDING

TYRE BLACK


 
Posted : 23/06/2026 2:51 pm
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I went from 2.6 Schwalbe Hans Dampf tyres on a hardtail to 2.4 Maxxis (Assagai/DHRII) tyres on a full suss ebike and haven't died. I do run the eBike tyres a little firmer though, less so due to the width of the tyres and more due to the weight of the bike. I never feel like I lack traction though. I reckon you'll be fine.


 
Posted : 23/06/2026 4:21 pm
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0.2 of an inch is 5mm so 2.5.. either side of the centreline. About the length of this dash — 


 
Posted : 23/06/2026 4:34 pm
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Posted by: AngusWells

0.2 of an inch is 5mm so 2.5.. either side of the centreline. About the length of this dash — 

but one brands 2.6 is much bigger than anothers - my 2.6 contis are flipping huge compared to the 2.6 schwalbe magic marys. so much so i had to buy a 2.4 conti on the rear as it clogged on the frame - never did that with teh 2.6 mary!. 

Maxxis /spec always seem to come up smaller than schwalbe for a given size. 


 
Posted : 23/06/2026 5:56 pm