[Closed] 26+ Hardtail - Who's done it?

I've got a sixty plusster rigid with 3" knard in the summer and 2.75 Dirt Wizard when it's looser.  Loads of fun.  light to start with, and now SS too, so it's very playful and climbs very nicely.

I'm not sure if I'd bother with new wheels and tyres in a 650b hardtail to get to 2.8 though.  Especially if you're riding steep sloppy trails.  I went big in the front to slow the steering down a bit and take the sting off the rigid forks.

What are the biggest tyres you can get in there on 650B?

The frame will take up to 2.6 in 650b size. I'm not sure about the fork though (Mazzochi 350cr).

Possibly a daft question, but I thought narrower tyres would be better in the sloppy conditions? Wouldn't a plus size tyre give more float, while a narrow tyre has more bite?

I only ask as I'm contemplating 29er 2.5 Maxxis Shorty or a 2" Bontrager 29er mud tyre. Previously used Maxxis Shorty 2.3 for winter, but intrigued about the plus aspect as I can also fit 650B + tyre.

Woodster - That seems to be what the internet suggests but if you read a bit deeper it seems like less of an issue:

https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/review-going-26-with-maxxis-minion-dhf-dhr-ii-2-8in-tyres/

My mate who is running 650+ also thinks that's a bit of a myth around plus sized tyres.

The Surly 1x1 is a 26" bike, and Fatties Fit Fine - they take up to 3".  🙂

I've got 2.8" in mine, and it makes a huge difference. Prefer riding it to a 29er with 2".

Some of the 26+ tyres don't have a good reputation in mud.

However the tyres on my bike are Dirt Wizards, and they are almost as good as the Nates on my fatbike.

Love these from defiance frameworks in Alaska

My mate who is running 650+ also thinks that’s a bit of a myth around plus sized tyres.

I'm not sure it's a 'myth' more a simplification; like any other tyre grip thing, it's partly down to volume and float and partly down to tread pattern. Things like WTB Rangers which are lightly treaded are grippier than you'd expect on to medium stuff, but quite poor on softer surfaces there they tend to float and slide ime. I've found the 2.8 Minion DHF pretty good to be fair, but still, subjectively, less grippy on sort of medium-density slop than the equivalent 2.3 or 2.5.

It also depends on the quality of the mud. There's a world of difference between gloopy Cotswold mud and the sort of gritty slurry you find in the Dark Peak for example. Not all mud is created equal.

I think people get carried away with the whole internet black-and-white thinking thing, so they're either great or not great. In reality, based on quite a lot of plus-sized riding, I'd say that aggressively treaded plus-sized tyres are okay in mud, though in some types, not as good as narrower equivalents. And big, fat, lightly treaded plus-sized tyres tend towards being awful.

As BadlyWiredDog says, it's a lot more complicated than "plus tyres good!" or "plus tyres bad!". Those Maxxis ones in the article aldo56 linked are the first ones I've liked in mud, and even then, I wouldn't run the DHF on the front.

The problem is that giving plus tyres big enough tread to grip in mud and clear it, along with sturdy sidewalls, makes them really heavy. Most manufacturers seem to shy away from that and make plus versions of their lighter, balder tyres (presumably because, in theory at least, that supports both OEM deals and after market sales better than "hey everyone, look at our really heavy tyres"). Particularly with the kind of low tread, optimist tyres brands spec on complete bikes, UK riders then end up shit out of luck on nearly bald plus tyres that skate right over mud.

As I said in the article, climbing on those Maxxis ones is absolutely no fun with a hangover, alright if you're in the mood to muscle up, but they're an absolute steamrollering hoot downhill and through slithery corners. That bike's been back on 27.5"x2.4" for the summer, but I've been looking out the window and thinking of putting the 26+ fun tyres back on these past few weeks.

I had some 26 x 2.8 light/grip Rangers in a 26 Soul, 650B Bfe and a Flare. It was fun, loads of grip despite the small knobbles and the tyres weren't massively heavy.

I've tried 26 fat (Surly & Ritchey), 29+ (Stooge), 27.5+ (Stooge) and 26+ (Surly 1x1), plus all the non plus options (I'm a fettler and like building wheels for relaxation).

For all 3 plus sizes I have preferred to run a narrower rear tyre and wider front (3" front and between 2.2 and 2.8 rear).

For dry/moist offroad 29 + front is hands down the best. BUT for wet Wiltshire mud clearance rules in winter, so 2.6 front and 2.2 rear is how I'll run. 26+ Dirt Wizards are awesome in all conditions but don't fit well in the rear of a newer 1x1 frame on wider rims, best to go to the older 1x1 that epi has.

Mr T

p.s. my favourite is fat 4" tyres, but don't tell anyone.

p.p.s Smorgasboard on a 35mm internal rim are great in 26 and 29 flavours for a cheap intro.

Here my old (stolen 🙁 ) BFe 650B with 2.8 Rangers in it-

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