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Just when I was thinking about selling my dearly beloved Bandit 26 and expecting peanuts in return 🙁
Lo there is an article about 26+ on the homepage...
A quick perusal of the 2.25 Nobby Nics on my bike suggests there is easily enough clearance for a similar tyre at 2.75 or so.
Could my bike go from scrap heap sadcase to uberniche quicker than a marketing mangers proest shizzle?
What have people used that works and is fun?
(I am Schwalbe/Maxxis agnostic)
Wack some Surly Dirt Wizards on there and have done with it, just make sure you have 50mm rims to accom them mind or you’ll no doubt roll like John Candy’s tongue at the thought of Mars bars.
I was wondering what I might get away with without new rims - I did read a thread on dirt wizards a while back
A perusal of t'interwebz suggests I have more chance of sealing my tyres with unicorn jizz than getting the minion 26+ tyres described in the article - unless anyone knows better?
Running a Ranger 2.8 on the back of my Rocket, and a Dirt Wizard 2.75 up front. Both on 29mm rims (Flow mk3), so I probably should have died by now...
Both are VERY pressure sensitive on this rim width. Very small window of goodness (maybe 2 or 3 psi between oodles of grip, tyre roll chaos, and Bambi on ice...).
Been trying to get hold of some Minion 26 x 2.8s for a while since I saw them on the US Maxxis site. Have a contact of a contact at Madison and they can't get them yet...
Watching this with interest has I give been out on my Gen 1 Bfe today ... and was thinking the same ...
Certainly can get a 2.5 in the rear and wider up front...
But what is the max on std rims ...?
The latest Flows are good to 2.8" apparently - I love my bike and would quite happily stick with it and if I can eek some extra fun and gnarr from it by getting wider rims next time I need new wheels then that would be grand...
I've had 2.4 Ardents on 25mm rims - should I be dead?
Sort the wide rims you want and fit 'regular' tyres and you'll likely not be far off + widths
I've not really looked at WTB tyres before but that Ranger looks good - anyone got them on front ? Maybe in the high grip version?
Ranger on the front is a bit scary. To the point I 'happily' paid 80-odd quid for a Dirt Wizard to replace it...
I went rigid SS with an old 26er and the steering was a little flightly and something to take the edge off the buzz would have been nice, so I tried a Dirt Wizard on the front. It was barely any bigger than the 2.4 X King. I built a Hugo front wheel and got the full advertised width from the DW - so as above, you could try something like a 2.4 X King on a wide rim for starters. It'd be a sight cheaper than anything "big" from Surly or Schwalbe.
I really like plus on the front, sorted both "issues" beautifully. A 3" Knard goes on for the summer. If I had room in the back, I'd do the same there, but I'm pretty much maxed out with a 2.4 race king on a crest.
I've not really looked at WTB tyres before but that Ranger looks good - anyone got them on front ? Maybe in the high grip version?
I've got ranger 3.0 on my dude, great in the dry. Useless in the wet both front and rear, rear spins up when trying to climb out of the saddle.
If your just plodding then there OK, if you want to ride at warp speed then look for something with better grip and mud use.
tdog - Member
Wack some Surly Dirt Wizards on there and have done with it, just make sure you have 50mm rims to accom them mind or you’ll no doubt roll like John Candy’s tongue at the thought of Mars bars.
I put them on my 1x1 and they transformed the bike to the extent I preferred to ride it over my much fancier 29er with 2.35" tyres.
I have them on 40mm rims which makes them nicely rounded but secure.
You'll find that low pressures are better.
The problem with trying 2.35" tyres on wide rims is that although you do get more volume than a normal 2.35", the tread is not wide enough. Thus things like ruts, riding along a slippery cambered slope etc where you need side tread can be an unforgiving experience. It is slightly better than standard but in no way is it as good as proper plus size tyres.
If anyone is interested in dabbling in 26+ I have a alex/chosen 30mm rim i.d wheelset with 2.8 wtb rangers setup that I would be willing to take offers on. that's been barely used .pm my email in profile if interested.
Does anyone know if Surly make a DW tyre in 27.5er in specifically 2.75” in the higher tpi variant?
Goes off to check google too.
Digging out some old DH rims - (but) who's got any 26+ tyres in stock? - not sure I want to pay 80gpb!
I've got a good pair of 26 x 2.8 WTB Rangers here spare- £50 posted? I've gone back to skinny, rock hard XC misery tyres in my BFe.
Can you still get Nokian Gazzaloddi? I seem to remember them being the go to tyre last time this was a fad.
simondbarnes - Member
Can you still get Nokian Gazzaloddi? I seem to remember them being the go to tyre last time this was a fad.
Completely different animal and aimed at DH rather than XC.
The current 26+ size tyres are a lot lighter and more supple. That enables you to get the benefit of low rolling resistance as well as the superior 'flotation' in soft going. You won't get that feeling that you're dragging a big sandbag behind you.
(Speaking about Dirt Wizards here - don't have experience of any other 26" tyres in plus range until you hit 4")
Yep, Gazzaloddis are comedy slow and draggy and not plus at all.
Also echo that a 2.4 tyre on a wide rim is pretty crap - you don't get the volume.
Also it's a way more exp try-out.
Check out some of the trials specific rims. Very good value for money imo.
https://www.tartybikes.co.uk/26_inch_rear_rims/c25.html