Powered by Outside

Narrower tire or lighter thread for better rolling?

PB Forum :: All Mountain, Enduro & Cross-Country
Narrower tire or lighter thread for better rolling?

 Post Message | Latest Comment
Author Message
flag BARAVNZLA
Posted: Oct 13, 2023 at 5:49 Quote
So, it's almost time to say goodbye to the 2.3 DHR II that came stock on my Giant Trance 29 and I want something that rolls better.

I've narrowed it down to a few options that I can only find on 2.4 width:

Maxxis Rekon
Specialized Ground Control (available in 2.35)
Pirelli Scorpion Trail M
Vittoria Agarro

I think the 0.1" difference in width will be negligible, but I don't want to end up getting something that would be about as heavy and slow rolling for my trails as the DHR II, but sacrificing the traction this one provides...

I've compared the weights on each of the tires and they are similar to the 2.3 DHR, the only one significantly lighter is the Spesh GC. And the only one I've actually tried on the trails is the Rekon, but on a High end full carbon borrowed bike for a short spin, so not really a comparison point for me.

What would you chose, A wider tire with a less aggressive thread or something narrower with more aggressive knobs?

Btw, My local trails are normally dry, hardpack with some fine dust or sand in the dryer months, not lots of rocks/roots so no need for a super resistant casing (I've never had a flat in three year with the EXO on the DHR II)

Pd: apart from the Rekon that I actually tried, my short list is based on internet reviews so feel free to recommend any other tire. And the plan is to also replace the DHF with something like a Dissector or similar from other brand when time comes .
flag BenLow2019
Posted: Oct 13, 2023 at 6:17 Quote
I'd choose a narrower tire over a wider tire even with more knobby tread pattern. The aggressive tread will wear down and become faster rolling with use - that's my theory anyway.

Also - maybe look at other tires if possible. Maxxis Ikon may be a good choice for your trails and style of riding.

Good luck.
flag Ontario123
Posted: Oct 13, 2023 at 6:27 Quote
Can't help you with your selection, but don't start with the premise that a wider tire rolls slower. The wider (higher volume/lower pressure) tire will roll FASTER off-road than a narrower tire. It may not pedal as efficiently, but that's different...

A narrower tire is going to have more bite when you're carving hard in corners or if you're trying to bite into mud. Flip side of this is that a wider tire will float much better over sand.
flag Gravelben
O+
Posted: Oct 13, 2023 at 13:26 Quote
A narrower tyre will only roll faster on a smooth road, lots of different tests have found wider tyres have less rolling resistance off road.

When I had a Trance 29 I swapped from the original DHF / DHR2 2.3 combo to Bontrager SE5 2.6 / SE4 2.4 and have been happy with much less rolling resistance, though the SE4 doesn't bite the edges into soft/loose surfaces as well as a DHR2 (especially off-camber). Everything is a compromise I guess.

Dissector/Rekon would probably be a good all-round combo too, I've found the Dissector a pretty good balance between speed and grip.

I'm running Spec. Ground Control 2.6 front and FastTrak 2.6 rear (both Grid casing) on my hardtail and find them pretty good, but the FastTrak is a bit too XC (very efficient, but not much braking grip) so my next experiment will be the GC to the rear and maybe an Eliminator 2.6 on the front.

I've come to prefer wider tyres with faster tread pattern and a trail or enduro casing for most of my riding - haven't had much puncture trouble even with lighter casings, but XC/light trail casings just don't have the support/stability and I need to run higher pressure to stop them feeling horrible. I'm about 110kg though, a lighter rider might be ok with lighter casings.
flag gmoss
Posted: Oct 13, 2023 at 14:13 Quote
If you are considering the Rekon and get Bontrager tires, look at the XR4 Team Issue in 2.4. 780 grams and works well in lots of conditions. Rolls well too. I have tried many Maxxis tires including the ones you posted, and others. The XR4 is my tire front and rear now, been on it for a few years. Lets me move front to back to wear it out and replace one at a time, no switching for seasons. I ride down country type trails for lack of a better term, with some light jumps. No park or big stuff. Just down as fast as I can go thru roots and rocks, harpack. Let the bike eat.
flag Gravelben
O+
Posted: Oct 13, 2023 at 16:12 Quote
I tried the XR4 for a while but found the casing to soft and flexible for my taste, I had to run higher pressure than other tyres to stop them feeling squirrelly landing even small jumps and drops. Might be ok for a lighter rider though, I gave my leftover XR4s to a mate who likes them.

SE4 is the same tread pattern with a burlier casing, which I like on the rear.
flag gmoss
Posted: Oct 13, 2023 at 16:16 Quote
Gravelben wrote:
I tried the XR4 for a while but found the casing to soft and flexible for my taste, I had to run higher pressure than other tyres to stop them feeling squirrelly landing even small jumps and drops. Might be ok for a lighter rider though.

SE4 is the same tread pattern with a burlier casing, which I like on the rear.

Right tire for right terrain. I find them more than sufficient for my 210 lbs riding in the foothills and mtns of NC. And, I run about 25 psi rear and 19 front. But, I may not ride as you do, so we all have to experiment to find the right balance. I cannot stand the feel of a tire heavier than what I run, so I am glad to have found it.
flag iffy
Posted: Oct 14, 2023 at 3:00 Quote
Onza Citius is good for dry trails, chunky edges and small centre knobs for fast rolling.

Worth a look for your terrain I think. FRC casing is the lighter option.
flag justwan-naride
Posted: Oct 14, 2023 at 9:15 Quote
I've found the current Hans Dampf to be a good choice as a trail bike's rear tyre. The knobs are tall but they are much closer together compared to a DHR2 or similar. It has a round profile so goes from side to side very smoothly and is very easy to lean. Rolling speed is very good for a knobby tyre and the design is not directional, so when the braking edges get worn you just switch it around and have fresh edges. It comes in many casings and compounds too.

Cons, not the best in off camber sections or super steep trails. It doesn't carve a turn on the sideknobs like a DHR2 would. 2.35 size is accurate, so not that wide.

Like the name suggests, it offers acceptable performance almost everywhere but doesn't excel at anything in particular.

Another similarly performing option is the Maxxis Aggressor in 2.5 and dual compound. WTB Trail Boss is in the same category as well.
  • Previous Page
  • Next Page

 


Copyright © 2000 - 2026. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.006904
Mobile Version of Website