As refined as modern enduro race bikes have become, the difference between winning and losing can still come down to the most basic of components – the tire. Finding the balance between a tire that's light enough to use for a long day of pedaling
and able to withstand the punishments delivered by courses that aren't far off from full-blown downhill tracks has proven to be challenging, and every race weekend we see racers' chances for victory dashed by punctures or pinch flats.
Jared Graves has had his share of tire troubles in the past, but this weekend he will be aboard a new version of the Specialized Butcher for round six of the Enduro World Series in Whistler. While the tread design is slightly different than before, more notable is the fact that the tires measure 27.5" x 2.6” wide. That width is approaching the territory currently held by 27.5+ bikes, but according to Graves, “2.6” tires are trying to find the balance of a high volume tire on the rough stuff and still ride like a little tire, where you can really get that edge and get aggressive with it in corners.”
The claimed weight of the 2.6" tires (there's also a 2.6" version of the Slaughter semi-slick) is just under 1000 grams. Part of that weight comes from Specialized's Grid Casing, which adds another cap ply in order to increase sidewall stiffness, and hopefully reduce the likelihood of a flat. Graves also had a new version of the Hillbilly tire on hand, a cut mud spike that could prove useful in muddy or extremely loose conditions, although that tread pattern hasn't officially been announced just yet.
What About 27.5+?When 27.5+ bikes first arrived on the scene there were rumblings that enduro racers would soon be using them, but so far that hasn't ended up being the case. The extra weight, reduced puncture resistance, and the on-trail-feel of the bigger tires at high speeds have kept them from being adopted by the sport's fastest riders, at least on the race course. Specialized racers Jared Graves and Curtis Keene have tried 27.5+ bikes (where tires measure between 2.8” - 3.0”), but in Graves' words, “For the right type of riding and the right type of person they're fun, but I personally wouldn't want to race on one.”
Rim width is also an important factor to consider when it comes to tires - installing a 2.6" tire on a narrow rim won't yield the same results as using something with a 27mm or greater internal width. Graves is currently running Specialized Roval rims with a 30mm internal and 35mm external width and has been happy with the results, although he also said he'd was hesitant to change up anything else in the middle of a race season. As it is, his bike setup for this weekend is already a good deal different than what he was aboard at round five in Aspen.
If 3.0” tires are too wide, and 2.3” tires aren't wide enough, will 2.6” tires may end up being the happy medium for enduro racers and more aggressive riders? Only time will tell, but if the rumors are true a number of other options will be hitting the market over the course of the next six months. Of course, not all bike or forks have enough room to accommodate that wide of a tire – there's not a whole lot of room between the tire and the arch on a 15x110mm 27.5" RockShox Lyrik. Still, with the improved tire clearance that 12x148mm rear spacing can provide, it's very possible that we'll start to see more bikes coming with wider tires front and rear. In any case, it's going to be an exciting showdown when racing commences this Sunday in Whistler.
For the rear I prefer a tougher casing such as the Super Gravity, semi fast rolling with good breaking power and good shoulder knobs. I have tried the Rock Razors SG (excellent tire, but lacked braking power on steep gnar), WTB Trail Boss TCS (excellent casing, but very small volume), Mavic Charge XL (Excellent all around, fun drift zone, sticky rubber, but bc of that it didn't last very long), and am currently trying the Bontrager SE4 (new version) and have been pleased so far, it has a good balance of all the qualities that I'm looking for in a rear tire. Another good option would the WTB Breakouts. Maxxis Agressor DD could have been a good option if it was available in 2.5
Definitely better than HR2 for grip and quicker than MM, although there will be conditions (MuD and roots) where I would prefer MM on the front.
They are handling nasty rocks very well. Great for the weight. Loving them.
Two years ago everyone was saying 1x11 was wide enough gearing, and how wonderful it is, but low and behold: now a 1x12 is coming out with lower gearing!
Next up: high bottom brackets will be fashionable again after everyone realizes that having pedal strikes every 30 seconds is retarded.
Ride what works for you and ignore the idiot sheep endurobros.
The Primer (same front triangle) looks a better option. Don't see plus as an option other than for slower riders looking to build up confidence.
Have you ridden a plus size tire in mud? They pack up and cling on to mud horribly.
If you think you need a bigger tire, a fat bike in the spring with 4" tires will do the job. It will also ride on snow in the winter.
A plus bike is good at nothing, I've been nothing but un-impressed with them.
What's fun about a bike that's so slow that it makes it difficult to keep up to your buddies? Most of my friends don't race but they get after it. Because, Fast is Fun!
once again, you're stuck on the idea that the only way to have fun is to go as fast as possible.
I am sceptical of people who say that plus is slow... it must be the same breed who says that 5" bikes are faster than 6' bikes. I ride with one of the fastest in my town, and even if we are only three, our pace ist still far from race pace. If we take one of the most mixed trails in my area, a good "friendly" run takes almost 8 minutes. My best is 5.50, KOM comes at 5.20. Gravy would do it under 5. So what "fast" are we talking about? IF I was to generalize, then I'd say that Generalizations are generally silly.
Oh the Bike Radars article: www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/article/are-275-wheels-and-tyres-better-than-29ers-47047
Hmmm, there's other ways to have fun? (with your pants on)
The folks at IBIS have done their homework/testing regarding plus size, and I can confirm from my own personal experiences that they are spot on in what they have to say. So if you take the time to read the info in these 2 links, you may get a better idea of the benefits and how it compares to non-plus size tires.
www.ibiscycles.com/bikes/mojo_3
On this one make sure not to miss what Scot Nicol has to say
www.pinkbike.com/news/ibis-mojo-3-review.html
I didn't experience any tyre squirm on any surface, which was my No.1 expectation, this led me to think tyre pressure was spot on.
What I did experience right from the outset was rebound from the tyres, specifically the front end, riding agressively this required much more input from me to correct my ride on a trail I could ride blindfold. The worst incident involved being bounced left on entering a rock garden at speed.
I also, experienced considerable drag, so much so my riding buddies commented on it, suggesting these bikes would be good for a work out. For me, to maintain speed and momentum (on this ride) I had to pedal more and work harder.
Over rock slabs, fuelled by gravity the ride characteristic was like rolling over a cobbled street, in a straight line over hardpack, again with gravity nice and flowy.
I'm not saying they're bad, just not for me, the ACV is an impressive machine, really nice finish etc. But if you have to run 160 front and back very firm just to work with the tyres, then have those tyre pressures just right, based on variable terrain, how do you control those variables if you want to have fun or go fast?
Anyway, that's my view, each to their own. Thanks for the links - I haven't had chance to view yet (off to work) but will do.
Ok, now with the proper setup talk out of the way. I feel that plus size tires have some of things keeping them from being awesome all around:
1. High speed rock gardens. In order not to case the rim if you come up short gaping a rock garden section, you would have to run so much pressure that, it would make your bike bounce like a basketball. Could this issue be potentially remediated with tougher casing such as Super Gravity or Double Down?
2. If you ride some serious berms (e.g. bike parks) you would definitely feel tire rolling from side to side. By the way, 3.0 width will be much more prone to squirming than the 2.8s when riding hard. 2.8 seem to be the optimal plus size.
A mid travel plus bike like the Mojo3 is almost as fast descending than my Nomad3 with the exception of really chunky or steep gnar, but climbs so much more efficiently, effortlessly and faster (a mid travel bike will generally climb better, but the plus size tires do make a considerable difference). For 90% of the riding that I do here in Colorado, the Mojo3 is faster overall, but it is not likely that it would keep up with the Nomad at a bike park or on steep gnar. At the end of the day, I guess that I depends of what kind of riding that you are into...
The ACV is actually 150 front, 130 rear.
Even so, following on from what you've just said, the 150 front (66* HA) was unpredictable (in my experience), the back was fine.
Isn't this article about a 2.6 tyre which isn't even plus , which current 2.3 instance is as narrow as 2.1 Schwalbe/ Conti and half of commenters behave as if hype caught their hero by his balls, and now will take over the world?
I'd say most people would be better served taking a skills course. Than bikes with bigger wheels super slacked out geometry and now super wide tires.
All the bikes I tested where on the same ten mile loop which I hold the KOM. All single track. Not very technical. Super loose and powdery. There's not many trails here that I would consider technical. None that would compare to the goat paths in Europe.
As for nobody saying plus is going to take over everything. That's total BS. The reps for Trek, Scott, Ibis, Pivot, Specialized, Spot. Where all pushing plus bikes like they where the end all be all of the future. Shit every bike shop I walk into lately is spewing the same nonsense. I was even so nieve to buy a 24 plus for my son. What a mistake. He got to demo a sweet Trailcraft. We did the same ten mile loop. He was over 10 minutes faster on the Trailcraft than his RipRock 24 plus! That's a huge difference. At the end of the ride. He says Dad can you put skinner tires on my bike? I still feel bad.
I do not own a plus bike or XC 29er. But I take into consideration a very wide range of trails all over the world, when saying that plus makes sense. I also ride with people of all levels, when I was running a skill clinics for beginners, I'd prescribe plus to 50% of participants. When experts and mixed trails are concerned, it is hard to beat a 29er XC bike, it simply demolishes big tyres and squishy suspension.
I see...guys HERE COMES THE FUTURE
www.pinkbike.com/photo/13800604
wheelsizeagnostic.com/specialized-enduro-2017-here-it-is
flowmountainbike.com/post-all/specialized-2017-models-revealed
There you go.
never skimp on yer rubbers...
They are farting out new standards as they wish they could surprise us with a sensible one too. When the marking on tire means measured on a "XXmm internal width rim" you'd know what you are buying. As they categorized the tires - like 2,8-3,25 are + tires - they could use different internal rim width as a standard for measurement. But I know I need to wake up it will never happen...
I have no problem with manufacturers offering tires with widths from 2,2 to 3,25 and rims from 19 to 50mm I just want to know if the 2,4 measures 2,4 on a 25mm (or whatever agreement they could come up with for standard width for measuring) so I don't have to convert from Continental 2,4 to Maxxis 2,4 or whatever... 2,4 is 2,4 then.
Or 2.35 magic mary and 2.35 rock razor on the rear.
But after riding a plus sized the at speed, I'd never go any bigger than the above listed.. would rather go a 29er than 27.5 +
In the mean time I'll stick with my 26".. burly 12.5kg 160mm travel rig.. no need for bigger wheels.. I'm still getting faster.. when i can't, the I'll upgrade.
But then you put a Minion DHF Exo Maxx Grip and you forget about everything else. Spec needs to work on their compounds. I'd give those a try, especially considering the width.
I was running 2.4 ardent in the front and 2.3 minion SS rear and it was a pretty good fast rolling set but I prefer the feel of the minion exo casing to the ardent and just put the DHRII and DHF back on and the grip and control is much better though the rolling resistance is def increased the performance of the tires > weight
This article also says to me, He has been very disenchanted with S tires and suggested they get back to work!
I predict that skinny tires will go extinct and that 27+ will come into their own just like 29ers seem to be coming into their own.