All my life I have always ridden 2.1 on both the front and back. Just about to fit a 2.35 on the front with a 2.1 on the back. How will it ride and handle?
It'll be fine. Before full suspension was ubiquitous, it was normal to run 2.3/2.1 or 2.1/1.9 as the front has to do all the work of cornering and braking, whereas rear traction was only really important on a climb, when all your weight is pressing on the rear tire anyway.
How will it ride and handle?
Better
Safer.
Less likely to lose the front with more grip.
Doesn't everyone still do this?
Doesn't everyone still do this?
Makes less sense on a FS (where rear grip becomes more important as speeds go up) or with more suspension travel (than 80-100mm) on a HT the back end needs a bit more cushioning to keep up.
It will handle better.
I have a 2.4 front and a 2.35 rear.
29x3 front, 29x2.1 here, rigid fork, handles great. Unless your geometry was rubbish before a fatter front will enhance your ride
2.8 front 2.25 rear here 🙂