Thanks Clobber, southern fairy though so unlikely to make it that high. Incidentally can you get the butcher in big wheel over here? I didn’t think you could. Tried having a browse on Jenson USA as they ship to the UK and they don’t seem to do spec tyres.

On ones look interesting, might give one a try.

Maxxis Ardent 2.4 x 29 work well IME. Quite fat but not as tall as Hans Danpfs to better for shortish chainstays.

Gotama, no xl demo just now but should be building one for myself shortly. Unless you are really tall a large should still give you a pretty good idea of how they ride.