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They roll more efficiently than narrower tires on rough ground, have excellent traction with smooth transition to drifting, and improve the ride quality on telescoping forks. Lateral collapse is only an issue on hardpack and perfect berms. With a set of stiff, wide wheels, I've become used to the lateral deformation of the tires and prefer the feel of this over narrower tires on less-stiff wheels.
I'm finding more upside than downside, and I think I can reduce the downside with a wider rim and a modification to the tire design.
Tires have been steadily getting wider for decades and it's always been the same conversation. When 1.8" - 2" (actual width) was the norm, people questioned why some riders preferred tires wider than 2". When 2" - 2.1" was the norm, people questioned 2.2". Now 2.3" - 2.4" (again, actual casing width) is the norm and it's the same questions. I think currently available tires with 2.6" actual width may be about the maximum for good-but-not-pro-level riders with current casing designs and aspect ratios - especially on the rear - but improved casings and modified aspect ratios will allow widths to continue to increase for all riders. That's what I'm trying to determine.
Since I have long legs and 6'1 height I do prefer 29' since more bb drop and higher front end achieved;
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/bike-check-chris-kovariks-heavy-metal-int…
A 2.8" (actual) tire on 45 mm rim isn't crazy as it initially sounds - nor is it as heavy as it looks.
Carbon rims don't gain much weight as they get wider, as the weight is concentrated at the bead lips and spoke bed. There are decently robust 45 mm rims that are the same weight as a DT EX511.
As I continue to test wider tires and rims, it seems "plus" got an unfairly negative reputation due to poor initial execution, much like dodgy early rear suspension designs, the fragile first wave of carbon products, and sticky tire compounds in the '90s that would last only a couple rides - and, since the thread topic is wheel sizes, early 29ers with horrible geometry.
I am going for the 27.5 Swoop, as this has been on my list since it came out. And I agree with alot of the sentiment about 29ers, i really love the speed and stability, though I have found out that the low and slack has its limits. So my objective is fun and adgile, and I only do one race each year on our local DH track. And I only need to beat my buddy Børre, and i bet this is the last year, since he is gaining to much speed. Haha.
I did try to be sure about geo more than wheel size, when i decided between the GG megatrail/Swoop and other bikes(read 29ers), so RAD numbers, stack, reach, chainstay length, and i wanted them to match up with my last 29er Cube stereo. That bike gave me my best time down my DH track, it was fun and agile.
I will try to report back to this thread when i get some riding in, but that will probably be sometime this late fall/winter.
Cool stuff about the plus size tires.
This was only an issue taking well built berms at silly speeds, the added grip for the majority of the time is fantastic. Plus a nice wheel I literally do no maintenance on. Food for thought.
I've got a 26/27.5 setup on my park rig and it's absolutely wicked for getting sideways on the jump lines (as much as I'm able to). Sadly the tire selection for 26 gets narrower each year. Might have to stock up on magic marys and get a tread cutter tool
Post a reply to: Re: Spoomer ca 2017. Anyone gone from 29er back to 27.5?