i have a hardtail and will be going to the Alps this summer and want a large volume tyre and was thinking of something like a 2.4 Schwalbe or 2.5 Maxxis (as these come up small)

what is the max tyre size i could get on a mavice 819 ust rim.

Is anything above a 2.35 asking too much of the rim?

I ride a 2.5. YMMV

2.5 Big Earls on mine…

Mine felt squirmy at lower pressures with anything much bigger than Scwalbe 2.35's.
(2.4 MK's were awful at 35-40 psi IMO)

2.5's on the front here – no problems.

I imagine that the 2.4 Schwalbe would be at bit much, just based on how big they look on my 5.1's.

I've run 2.3 tyres on 819's though, but happier at 2.1/2.25.

2.4 MK's were awful at 35-40 psi IMO

Really? I've had those on a 717 and they were fine.

looks like it is down to personal choice.

i am tempted by the Maxxis 2.5 up front and a schwalbe 2.4 out back as they seem to work.

2.5 maxxis, no hay problema

2.5 maxxis tambien, no hay una problema