Forum menu
It will batter you, it's a hardtail, that's what they do. Try all the things posted on the thread, but the answer to this is a short travel FS really.
2.6 with insert in the rear. Thudbusterr sus seatpost. Looks ugly, heavy but it's pretty comfy for a ht.
I wonder if the squaretaper BB softens things up too?
Hi all
Many thanks for your comments and feedback.
I completely appreciate that hardtails do tend to batter the rider, but I’m wanting to take the edge off the onslaught.
I’ll probably lower the stem while looking for a wide 27.5” rear and go from there…however if I see a short travel fs that’ll accommodate all of the HT components and pedals well, I’ll probably need to get the domestic boss some flowers.
Thanks again
Hi all,
Just thought I'd give a little update in case my post becomes relevant to someone in the future.
I looked online for a shortish travel FS...absolutely nothing that tickled my fancy, not one ticked enough boxes.
So instead I purchased some 29" Hunt Trail Wide V2 wheels and 2x 2.6" tyres.
My first ride was yesterday....what an absolute riot!! Most fun I've had on a bike in years. On bigger drops obviously made minimal difference, but they certainly took the edge off small stuff like root/rock gardens etc.
Sooo yeah, big volume tyres FTW
Thanks all for your input, enjoy!
Sooo yeah, big volume tyres FTW
Don't tell all the steel is real crew...
matt_outandabout
Full Member
Don’t tell all the steel is real crew…
Just imagine big tyres and steel - mind. blown.
Just imagine big tyres and steel – mind. blown.
Or a suspension seat post.
"Or a suspension seat post."
Stand up! 😉
I've written some ramblings about big wheels and steel etc over here:
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/gnarly-silly-fun-pointless-new-hardtail-ordered/page/2/
I remain clueless as to which elements are making the difference but drops to flat definitely sting the ankles less on the new bike and if I'm landing on flat tarmac I'm not sure the bigger wheel can be making a difference (similar tyres) so it's the fork or frame or both.
I find, in order:
1. Tyres and pressures
2. Seat post - 27.2 in flexible material please.
3. Saddle.
4. Handlebars and grips.
5. Frame material and design/specifications
6. Shoes.
Matt +1.
I'm about to follow my own advice after breaking my FS recently and relying on my HT for a couple of weeks out of its normal seasonal use.
Bigger tyres after being battered to F!
I’m not sure the bigger wheel can be making a difference (similar tyres)
youve got ~10% more diameter - so about the same increase in "air volume" within the tyre, which is what is providing the spring in your rear suspension.
That assumes you are running the same pressure, if you have gone to a lower pressure to get the same rolling feel/grip, this changes things even further.
I experienced the same problems, solved it with a Crane Creek Thudbuster seat post. Less expensive than a FS change over and you can tune it with the supplied elasomister inserts.
I was sceptical to start with but it proved a game changer. Include some of the advice above as well, higher volume tyres & insets.
"youve got ~10% more diameter – so about the same increase in “air volume” within the tyre, which is what is providing the spring in your rear suspension."
But does that change things? The force applied by an air spring is the pressure x piston area and in this case the piston area is the contact patch. On a larger wheel the contact patch growth will increase proportionately with the wheel diameter as the contact patch is pressed towards the rim, so that will negate any reduction to the rate that the tyre pressure increases due to it being a larger volume air spring.
I'm actually running Rimpacts in these tyres, as before, although Rimpact Pro in the back now.