[Closed] The future for 27.5 x 2.8

I thought 27.5 was the future?

I was a fan of the 27.5 'chubby'. Firstly on my Mojo3, then both of my Solaris's and for a lot of time on my original FlareMax. Used to run Rekon's in the summer and seemed to have just the right amount of grip/cushioning. Also ran a few WTB tyres with the thicker carcass for more rocky trips.

Now run 29x2.6 on my HT and my RipMo. Probably overkill but they seem to have all the advantages of a large volume tyre with more choice and being more robust (also run rimpact tho).

I did go back to some narrower (still 2.3) on my Mojo4 for a bit but didn't get on with them al all.

So I guess the answer is 'maybe the same as happened to 29x3'

I also still like 2.8s on my hardtail.
Have both 29 and 27.5+ wheels but prefer the +
Using DHf/DHR combo which still seem to be available from a few places.

I've run them on my Turbo Levo since day one 2.8 Butcher Blck Dmnds. Prefer them to running 29ers. Got a few spare so will be OK for quite some time. I tend to buy them when I see them on offer

They are horrible to ride at any speed so will die out.

I've gone to 2.6s super gravity which are still a bit floppy but much better at going around corners.

Oh- and do t get me started on the rolling resistance 😯

I hated the 2.8s I ran so soon swapped back to 29ers. Reckon + and some scwalbe tyre. Still in the loft somewhere

I loved 2.8s (DHF and DHR2)for some a smooth ride and the grip was immense.

OP, If you’ve been riding the Maxxis 2.8s you’ll find the Scwalbe 2.6s almost the same size.

I have now moved to 29 x 2.5 Assegai up front and 2.4 DHR2 at the back. The main reasons being, better role over and less rolling resistance. I also prefer the stability, and lack of squirm in high speed corners.

Will 29 x 2.6 fit Whyte 900 hardtails?

If you can fit in an extra 0.2" then Chain Reaction had WTB Bridgers for £10.99.

Decent grip but still roll well. I like them.

They are horrible to ride at any speed

This is the thing I sometimes hear but have never really experienced.

On 50mm rims at 15 psi they feels less floppy in hardpacked fast corners than the 2.5 tyres at 20psi (same brand and model) on 30mm rims on my ebike.

I have a WTB Vigilante 2.8 for sale.....see my classified ad 😉

They are horrible to ride at any speed

Including at higher speeds downhill than the same bike with normal tyres?

https://www.bikeradar.com/features/whats-the-fastest-tyre-size-for-mountain-biking/

Hopefully they will stay available. At least for a few years until 28.75 x 3.142 becomes the new must have size! As you, I love them on my hardtail. For me they give the best compromise for everything (rocky Lakeland/Scotland downhill to bikepacking) other than thick mud. I even prefer them for certain riding on the full suss and tend to swap around with 29er depending on the ride. As someone above, I buy the odd one when I see a good offer (Stif had Recons the other month) so have a few to tide me over.

As soon as manufacturers realised they could sell 27.5 x 2.6 as being practically plus, that was game over for the mainsteam. The classic "All of the advantages none of the disadvantages" nonsense that made 650b happen in the first place.

I hope they don't Dodo completely. My preferred tyre size on all my 'modern' bikes, hardtail or FS. Great grip, great comfort, and they look proper cool in a Mint Sauce kind of way. I will admit though, that tyre pressure is super critical - just a couple of PSI out and they're either squirmalicious or skipping everywhere on the smallest bump.

I guess I'll be back to the internet scouring days of trying to source 26 x 2.8 tyres for my designed-for-650b Rocket...

I currently run 27.5x2.8 Rekon+ on my Stooge and I've been very impressed. I tend to do open moorland, muddy singletrack and bridleways on it, so nothing crazy steep or rocky, but they suit me just fine.

I've got a pair of Spesh Purgatory and Ground Control, both in 3.0 to go on once I've worn through the Rekons, and while the 3in and up width seem fairly hard to get (unless you want WTB - but I've not had great experiences with WTB tyres) I think 2.8 stills seems fairly available for what was a niche market anyway!

I've got a set of Specialized Butcher downhill tyres in 27.5x2.8@ on my ebike (full sus enduro style thing) and they work brilliantly for it. The motor overcomes the drag.

[Cheeky Ad, sorry] 😉

I have a couple of 2.8 WTB Trailblazers and 3 x new tubes if anybody is interested in them. They have hardly been used TBH, so in great nick.