FOD ripped the rear 2.25 ardent to shreds today. I want a bit more cushioning on the rear so do I:

A. get a 2.4 ardent

B. get a 2.4 x King on rear – what is the volume like on these?

C. move 2.4 tk ( currently on front) to rear and get another on the front

D. move tk to rear and get a 2.6 tk on front

E. move tk to rear and get a minion or Hans Dampf on front

F. my thinking is all wrong, what I actually need is…

2.4 Xking is bang on a 2.2, because ****ing cont, not a big tyre at all.

Hans dampfs are shite

Rock Razor? Nice big volume, fast as ****, but gripper than your ardent in corners. Moderate risk of death in the FOD if it were wet though I think.

A or C.

Or as it’s STW I’ll recommend the tyres I use!

I discounted the rock razor as I like a bit of slide at the back.

Aggressor on the back to replace the ardent?  Dual compound / Exo / tubeless ready.

I’ve no experience of your front tyre to comment. I like my 2.5wt DHF though.

Aggressor on the back to replace the ardent? Dual compound / Exo / tubeless ready.

I’ve no experience of your front tyre to comment. I like my 2.5wt DHF though.

This is the exact setup i’ve been running for the last 3-4 months and I love it.. Aggressor is grippy but seems to roll pretty well, DHF 2.5 WT is like a different tyre from the 2.3 DHF it replaced, grip forever in seemingly all conditions.

Oh and both went up easy as pie tubeless on DT rims too, no tyre levers, no swearing, no soapy water.  Fit the tyre pour sealant in, pump up to pressure, spin and jiggle tyre around, go ride.  They have been holding pressure better than tubes too, I just need to put a couple of pumps from the track pump in each tyre about once a month.

I like a Specialised Butcher on the front and Rock Razor on the back.

Everyone is different mind you…

Both my Maxxis went up ok too on DT 25mm internal rims. I fitted them by hand, banged them up / seated them with an airwave pump, although it took 2 blasts to seat them. I then put sealant in and inflated to 25psi. Shook them / spun them round a bit then ridden them. Occasionally top them up as they lose a little bit of pressure over time, but not much.

Having said that I have 2.4 chunky monkey / 2.25 Smogasbord On One tyres on my 26er with wtb i25 rims. They also went up with the same lack of faff – although I understand they are made by Maxxis for on one so I guess that’s not a surprise. Literally less than half the price of Maxxis to buy at that.

@joebristol

Are you running the DHF widetrail on the 25mm internal rim. If so, any problems with drag or shoulder tread being in wrong place?

Yep, the 2.5wt dhf is on a 25mm internal DT Swiss e1900 wheel – using it with a non boost Yari (now actually a Lyrik as it’s got a charger in it).

I find it much more reliable in the transition from straight to lens over into corners than the 2.3 dhr2 that was on there before.

Cant say I’ve noticed it’s any draggier than the dhr2 either – although the bikes a 160mm enduro bike so it’s not massively quick accelerating anyway (except downhill when it’s an absolute rocketship 🚀).

Thanks all. I went for a 2.4 ardent because I know roughly how it will behave, and it’s a tall tyre so should make things a bit less uncomfortable.

As I alluded to in Seosamh77’s thread the 2.4 Ardent felt a lot more comfortable over rocks/ roots at speed but did not seem to be much different in rolling resistance. A few more rides and I will have forgotten what the 2.25 was like so it wont matter!.

I am happy with my choice.