EWS Race Tech: Jared Graves' New Specialized Tires

Aug 11, 2016 at 16:56
by Mike Kazimer  
EWS 6 2016. Whistler Canada. Photo by Matt Wragg.

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.”


EWS 6 2016. Whistler Canada. Photo by Matt Wragg.
Horizontal siping has been added to the center lugs, and the side knob profile now has a stairstep shape on the inside edge.
EWS 6 2016. Whistler Canada. Photo by Matt Wragg.
The taller and thicker side knobs, plus Specialized's Grid casing, are intended to help keep the tire from folding over during hard cornering.


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.”


EWS 6 2016. Whistler Canada. Photo by Matt Wragg.
It looks like the Specialized Hillbilly tire has been updated as well.

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.



Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,719 articles

256 Comments
  • 206 2
 27.5+-
  • 52 5
 2.5 butcher = 2.35 shwalbe. So 2.6 is dhr2 2.4 size?
  • 12 0
 Good looking rubbers nevertheless.
  • 17 2
 @richierocket: think the pleasure would be there, but not sure if it's stop her getting pregnant.
  • 20 2
 I prefer 29-
  • 3 9
flag WAKIdesigns (Aug 12, 2016 at 3:03) (Below Threshold)
 @seraph: 26-29
  • 2 1
 @makripper: Schwalbes are the ones running bigger to my experience, I guess they measure casing width instead of knob to knob. My MM 2.35 is significantly bigger than the kenda/spesh/michelins that I tried, who were very close to each other.
  • 20 8
 @PLC07: but... Schwalbes tend to be deflated quite often....
  • 3 6
 @makripper: 2.35 shwalbe = 2.4 maxxis so 2.6 specialized = 2.5 maxxis?
  • 5 0
 @cunning-linguist: Specialized usually keeps you out of those kinda situations in the first place.
  • 3 0
 some of the center knobs reminds me of the clutch or purgatory tires.
  • 4 0
 @jdendy: loved the Clutch in the rear.
  • 3 0
 @jaydawg69: I have a clutch 2.5 sx on the front of my older bike. It had a clutch on the rear but it was the control version and not durable enough so took it off. I prefer the clutch over the butcher and purgatory, but that is just my opinion.
  • 4 0
 @Hulleland: 2.35 schwalbe=2.5maxxis
  • 141 2
 So sounds like the plus size tyre hype is over inflated
  • 13 3
 I feel a little let down by 27.5+. But just a bit.
  • 51 2
 So you're saying you're feeling a little non-plussed about the whole tire size situation?
  • 10 1
 Meh, I could never get a grip with the idea
  • 5 1
 these puns make me feel deflated
  • 5 0
 This thread has gone a little flat already.
  • 2 0
 I hope this idea gets traction.
  • 2 0
 @CarlMega: Your comment got me pumped.
  • 5 0
 It's really gone down the tubes.
  • 112 2
 It is not a fat tire, it is just big boned.........
  • 8 0
 It's a fluffy tire
  • 7 0
 Festively plump.
  • 5 0
 Spare tyre.
  • 5 0
 voluptuous tires
  • 3 1
 BBB
  • 2 0
 Roly Poly
  • 6 0
 Blubber rubber
  • 8 0
 Just big rimmed
  • 9 0
 Cuddly fun loving tyre seeks athletic man for non-commitment
  • 102 2
 Still using imperial tire widths, I'll hold out for metric width tires
  • 10 2
 My tires already use metric width for a while now, it said 58-559 on the sidewalls.
  • 2 0
 I always refer to the ETRTO dimensions - they never lie how bi a tire is. I just wonder why Specilized has not given them - www.specialized.com/bg/en/components/tires/butcher-grid-2bliss-ready/117849
  • 5 0
 @pr3dator: an out-of-the-closet tire measurement so to speak...
  • 1 0
 Now, the all new for 2017 metric tire size. Lol
  • 1 0
 I was going to get a 650B because it was cool, cutting edge and metric then the industry lost its confidence, backed away from the idea and gave us 27.5. Meh. Kirk Pacenti must be sick to his bones after all that time and effort. Can't wait to fit a metric shock to transform my old bike.
  • 60 12
 A Specialized 2.6" tires will probably end up measuring 2.35".
  • 49 4
 They don't. I didn't have calipers on hand, but I'd say they're slightly wider than a Maxxis Minion 2.5" WT.
  • 63 2
 @mikekazimer: or the same width as a 2.35 Magic Mary Wink
  • 8 2
 I have a Ground Control, Butcher, and Purgatory in 2.3...and none measure "2.3" when mounted and aired up. They do measure 2.3 when laid out flat.
  • 5 7
 yeah, smells like marketing, sounds like it will come in around the width of a 2.4 trail king, which, to be certain, are pretty massive in the casing. always thought it funny that specialized was insisting on either their low volume "2.3" or plus bikes and nothing in between, so i guess this makes sense.
  • 10 2
 Specialized tires always measure big for me. I had a set of 2.3 ground controls for a little while and they felt far wider than my 2.3 Maxis Minions.
  • 7 1
 @abtcup: What size rim are you mounting them to? I run 26"x2.3" butchers on a rim with 25mm internal width they are over 2.3" wide...
  • 17 1
 @packfill : Yeah... specialized tires were never on the small side. Idk what you're talking about.
  • 3 2
 @millsr4: Butcher and Purgatory mounted to i23 rim. Tires never measured out to "2.3". The Ground Control mounted to i22. The 2.25 Racing Ralph measured just wider than the 2.3 GC.
  • 6 1
 Minion DHF 2.5WT on Stans Flow MK3(29mm internal)measure at 2.33" (casing) and 2.41" (at the widest knob section). If the butcher 2.6 is slightly wider than the DHF, then it is probably a sweet proper 2.4-2.5 tire regardless of the inaccurate width that is stamped on the sidewall. The 26" Butcher 2.5 was pretty close to claimed width. Schwalbes are also pretty close to claimed width. Except for the Magic Mary's, they are way huge, makes the DHF WT look like a 2.2. I do remember buying the butcher 2.3 and taking it back after it was more like a 2.17....
  • 3 2
 @BikeKayakSki: Schwalbe measure true to size other brands tend to be smaller than stated width.
  • 2 0
 @mikekazimer: are we talking casing width or knob width.
  • 1 0
 @fartymarty: Traditionally it refers to the casing only.
  • 1 0
 Exactly!! I think some manufacturers measure volume an others the tread. Even the same manufacturer can have different measurements for intended use. Quality control too!! I have two of the same tyre, same size and same spec an they're fkng different sizes!!
  • 18 2
 I know what would solve that: Metric tyre sizing.
  • 1 0
 @movitas: Just bought some mk3 flows and struggling to find tires that work properly to give a good profile. Is the DHF WT the best you've found? Currently running magic may SG (Front) and butcher 2.5 DH (rear) which work well for DH but need something lighter for trail duties.
  • 1 1
 @SintraFreeride: I had Hans Dampf 27,5x2,35 they measured 2,52 on 25mm internal width rims. Smile
  • 10 0
 Me measuring tires : "Ohh, these look big....nice"
  • 3 1
 @Dixon75: Der Baron Projekt Protection 2.4"
  • 2 0
 @Dixon75: For the front DHF WT, e13 TRS (a little more square profile due to the center knobs being of a lower height than the DHF, while maintaining huge full size shoulder lugs, casing profile is just as round as the DHF. They roll pretty fast up front while giving tons of cornering traction). These new Butchers look to be another great option now that they have a proper width (prob actual 2.4-2.5)
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
  • 1 0
 @movitas: Thanks. I put a WTB vigilante on but the casing looked very exposed. You didn't feel that was the case with any of the above?
  • 1 0
 @amrskipro: Cheers might give it a try
  • 1 0
 @movitas: are e13s as wide in 2.35 as Minions in 2.5"?
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: my E13 Race/Plus combo are coming up bang on 2.3" on a 30mm internal rim.
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.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: they are very very close! From a side view the e13s look huge due to those shoulder knobs. I'm loving mine as well
  • 1 0
 @Dixon75: Not really, with the exception of the SE4, it bulges a little more than the others. As long as the casing is solid, I don't worry about that too much. I tend to pay more attention to how round or square the profile is.
  • 1 0
 @gdnorm: don't know about mounted up, but bead to bead a new 2.35 Magic Mary (Trailstar) is 189mm and a new 2.5 DHF WT (MaxxTerra) is 181mm, so probably bang on. I get the feeling Maxxis just used the 2.35/2.4 casing and slapped it on a wider rim to gain the extra width.
  • 46 1
 The new standard we all been waiting for: Almost Plus 27,5".
  • 12 1
 I've actually been hoping for this development. 2.8" seems like an unnecessarily large jump from 2.4", especially when most bikes that can fit it are also designed for 29" wheels, and as such have chainstays ~.5" longer than otherwise needed. And then there's the whole bottom bracket height fiasco of trying to fit two completely different wheel sizes on a bike...
  • 2 0
 that's funny
  • 3 0
 @miles-e: Ditto. I am currently running some Dirt Wizards which measure 2.8 casing and 2.87 knob in a 29 internal rim. They are awesome but heavy (1250g) and a bit slow to accelerate. A proper 2.6 - 2.7 thats not wuite as hefty would be sweet.
  • 5 0
 Its called plus minus size.
  • 1 0
 @headshot: I like tyre.
  • 1 0
 @fartymarty: I rock 1800g tires most of the time, so when I switch back to my Dirt Wizards they feel fast as hell Smile
  • 1 0
 @miles-e: ya maxxis has tires coming out like this...2.7 maybe
  • 29 2
 How is this a new thing? My Iron Horse had 2.7" tires 5 years ago. The mountain bike industry is worth than the fashion industry. We have come full circle!
  • 15 0
 Yeah, I had 3.0" Michelin WildGrppr's on a 2011 Cove Shocker about 4 years ago. I was told when I took it to a shop that they were old tech and I should look at something a little smaller...
  • 14 0
 The mountain bike industry is the fashion industry, some "equipment" manufacturers even have spring and fall collections...
  • 1 0
 My 2stage still has 2.7 maxxis's on it and I have a few new ones under the work bench.. Wish I could get that width in 27.5 for the genius...
  • 1 0
 @davidsimons: I laughed at this. Made me think of a big burly mountain biker with a helmet bow, and a Hello Kitty backpack. Scary stuff.
  • 3 0
 To be fair, the rims on those were either super narrow or stupid heavy
  • 5 1
 So true! As an older rider I have younger guys telling me my views on equipment are outdated, until the marketing guys blow smoke up their ass and then all of a sudden bigger tires or some other "outdated" technology is "in" and acceptable again.
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.
  • 6 0
 @axleworthington: I agree with your argument about the cyclical fashions, but people seem to be missing the point with 1x12. Eagle isn't designed to provide a lower gear, it's to give top end racers a higher gear by allowing them to run a larger chainring but keep the crawler gear.
  • 1 0
 My favourite tire is the old skool 2.8" Duro Leopards that I run most of the time still! 26+, 1800g each. Impossible to puncture, unlike the current weight weenie big tires.
  • 1 0
 @axleworthington: I'm old enough to have gone through the purple ano phase of mountain biking. You're right in some ways, but bikes are way better than they've ever been in the past. Not even close - even crappy bikes today are really, really good. Even 6 years ago there were a lot of just plain junk bike and components on the market. So all this progress is getting us somewhere, even if a few fads are annoying to suffer through.
  • 2 1
 @webbe: Screw the racers. 1x12 will give us "real" riders another easier gear to crawl up big, long, steep mountain trails with awesome views, followed by killer descents.
  • 1 0
 @webbe: With a 50T in the back...I can move up 6 teeth on the front...and still have the same low gear as I have now. That's a big increase in top end.
  • 1 1
 @abtcup: What? I think you will find that those 8 extra teeth at the rear are only equal to 2 teeth on the front.
  • 2 0
 @JustinVP: Yeah I totally agree about how good new bikes are and actually like new technology. I just got back from a 5 hr ride on my 2016 Trek Remedy: best bike I have ever owned. I do, however, think certain trends like really low BB's are problematic for my style of riding and get grumpy when people tell me it's better, or that 3" tires are new.
  • 1 0
 @Kyle201: it is a great tire but a tad heavy. More brands should make a lighter 26+ tire with serious tread (other than surly).
  • 20 1
 Introducing the Specialized Butcher DHR ll WT
  • 1 0
 ikr everytime I see their tyres I think they look exactly like maxxis
  • 3 0
 @mtbiker4Lyf: there's a reason for that Wink
  • 2 0
 @atrokz: Cheng Shin Rubber!
  • 14 3
 I have to agree with Graves. After riding 3 different plus bikes. Nothing but industry hype. They aren't fast, and the handling is weird at speed. That tiny bit of extra grip. Is a heavy price to pay for the amount of energy they require to keep moving. Bring in the next Industry Fad!
  • 6 2
 Totally agree, took the Intense ACV for a spin last night, amazing bike apart from one element, the wheel size. No squirming of the tyres but the feedback from the trail at speed, in corners, required too much correction not to be bounced around and that's with running 20% sag front and back, believe me it needs to be firm, otherwise it's too bouncy with the low BB) That was bad enough, but the drag even at relatively high pressure was constant, if you stop pedalling, speed drains away.

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.
  • 17 15
 Bollocks. Nobody in the "industry" ever said that plus will replace regular tyres in Enduro or DH. Please stop behaving as if someone will take your regular tyres from you. Plus is fantastic for riding in places with bad trail surface, it allows you to go to places where you'd have to carry your bike. Perfect for riding in early spring where everything floats in melting snow and tons of mud, because they ride through it almost like a fat bike but remain composed on singletrack. Then sorry but 2.3 Spec tyres were are a joke. They are narrow like XC rubber. I chose 2,5" Minions over 2.35 Minions any time.
  • 10 0
 @WAKIdesigns: didn't realise I said any of that. Just giving my opinion based on my experience immediately after a ride. Others might have a better experience.
  • 4 6
 @gandalfsdad: It wasn't directed at you but Biketrashers generalization
  • 4 0
 @WAKIdesigns: oh right, fair enough, I'll go back to sleep, cheers.
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I guess you need bigger training wheels than I doWink
  • 4 2
 @WAKIdesigns: Um, please don't ride our trails when they are muddy it just gets trails CLOSED TO BIKES. Angry Bike hating enviros are always looking for a reason to ban us from riding any trail they can. The only place I see plus bikes being a good fit is on groomed snow. I've yet to ride a trail in Colorado or Utah where I felt like I needed tires bigger than 2.4 and that's usually more than necessary. I guess our trails just aren't technical enough for plus bikes......
  • 5 8
 @Bikethrasher: If I ever go riding in US enviros will be the least of my worries... I'd be more concerned about tresspasing. And if I ever go to Oregon or Colorado or Nor Cal, I won't ride on plus bikes. The acts of legislative terrorism of your Country imposed on it's own citizens do not concern me. I like E-bikes and riding in wet.
  • 3 0
 @Bikethrasher no one i know that owns a plus bike claims they are faster, they claim they are more fun. speed isn't the only thing that matters unless we are talking racing
  • 4 2
 @WAKIdesigns:

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.
  • 2 0
 @UtahBikeMike: depends on mud off course. Around my place it's been awesome but we very little sticky clay. It's rather soil, compacted bits of clay, loam, leaves, tar.
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: You're off base. The concerns about riding in wet and e-bikes come from the riding community, us riders, not from any government.
  • 2 0
 I've never ridden a fattie (at least the bike type) but I assume it would be decent in a dessert type climate when it hasn't rained in 2 months and the trails are riding like a sandbox, of course I'd rather just take a non-plus bike to some trails that aren't blown out. Bend, Oregon in September is a place I think you might like a plus bike on.
  • 4 1
 @JustinVP: please tell that to Brits or Vancouverians about riding in wet conditions. What on Earth... No, it's not coming ONLY from riders community, you say it because you guys pussy out in fear of what authorities may say. However when it comes to E-bikes then, yes I am sure it comes from community because a bunch of sissies sll over the world use the "it will turn authorities against all mountain bikers" argument to justify their pitiful anger against e-bikes. There is no evidence that E-bikes erode trails more than any regular type of bike.
  • 5 2
 @xeren: I'm not sure why you claim they are so fun to ride. All five of us who rode them would disagree. Slow, Big, awkward, weird, annoying uncontrollable rebound. Did they put sand in these tires? Daft old dog. Where the comments from my friends and I not words I'd use to describe a fun bikes . I rode a hardtail and two full Sussers just to make sure the first one wasn't a dud. Like I said they would be good for groomed snow trails and maybe slow ultra technical trails. But not for everyday trail riding.
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!
  • 2 1
 @Bikethrasher: I don't claim that they are more fun, just all the people i ride with do.

once again, you're stuck on the idea that the only way to have fun is to go as fast as possible.
  • 5 1
 @Bikethrasher: As far as XC and mixed riding is concerned (frequent ups&downs) Plus tyres are faster in a wider range of conditions than you may think. Bike radar just did a comparison and I am planning to make a test myself using a Trek Stache with the original 29+ tyres and 29" semi-slicks. The rougher the terrain is, the more muddy it is, the more likely it is for plus to be faster. One thing is sure, plus tyres are not faster on fire roads. In fact many XCers run tubular tyres which are effectively a mini plus tyre in a way that they run very low pressures and therefore have large contact patch and superior roll over. Expect more tyres to go into 2.5-2.7" area, including full on DH tyres. I can put my money on the table that we will see come back of 2.7" Minions in less than 2 years. That includes WC circuit. There were simply no rims wide enough to effectively hold such tyre in place, in DH WC conditions. Gwin used 2.7 Minions in Fort William in his last year with Trek. Magic Marrys and Der Barons/Der Kaisers are already wide as hell.

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
  • 1 1
 there were always rims to suit wider tires and racers tried with up to 2.8 Michelins in the mid to late 2000s. Also, testing a + tire against a semi slick isn't a viable comparison.
  • 5 0
 @xeren: "once again, you're stuck on the idea that the only way to have fun is to go as fast as possible."

Hmmm, there's other ways to have fun? (with your pants on) Smile
  • 2 0
 @atrokz: what? They compared purgatory + with purgatory, and ground control+ with ground control, how more even do you want it? And which one of the tyres they used is a semi-slick? Thunder Burt or Race King are examples of semi-slicks... Holy crap.
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: " I am planning to make a test myself using a Trek Stache with the original 29+ tyres and 29" semi-slicks"
  • 3 0
 It's as if tire size is an ultimatum all of a sudden. Ya know, there's places where a big wide and supple tire is really fast and grippy and fun as all hell to ride. And there's times when a 2.3 can carve like a scalpel and roll like a ball bearing over glass. Ummmmm. They are tires. Use what works for the terrain. Not what someone tells you is cool, or change what you think is right just because someone says it's uncool. IT's ALL COOL. It's a fucking bike tire! If a tire sucks, it's not all to blame on the size printed on the side. I'm sure everyone has tires they would never buy again that are effectively the same size as another tire they swear by.
  • 3 0
 @gandalfsdad: proper tire pressure is key on plus size tires, if you are not within 1-3 psi from the sweet spot for your weight (13 to 16psi is a good place to start), the tires will either feel squirmy on corners or super bouncy like a basketball, sounds like you experienced the later. As far as rolling speed, tread pattern and trail conditions will also have a big effect just like it would on any other tire.

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
  • 2 0
 @movitas: No arguments from me on your recommendations. I was asked to ride this bike by my LBS for my opinion, they set it up for me based on my weight, height and riding style. The trail was dry, dusty in places particularly in open places, some sections are natural with roots, some are engineered with hardpack for flow or with rock slabs for extra technical features.

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.
  • 1 0
 @gandalfsdad: quite honestly a 160 bike with 2.8-3,0 plus tyres seems weird to me. The geo and amount of travel allow you to ride at high speed with ease. I experienced wobblyness already on a Stache. Fk, I experienced it by pumping corners on asphalt. So no. I'd never recommend anyone to ride plus on a bike with more than 140 travel
  • 1 1
 @gandalfsdad: No worries gandalfsdad, not trying to argue here, just making sure that your experience was based on a bike that was properly setup. The sweet spot for tire pressure is something that you would have to determine, what the LBS setup for you, was probably just a starting point, then as you ride you can/should adjust the pressure accordingly until it feels optimal. Another important detail that I forgot to mention, is fine tuning the suspension to your liking, sag alone won't do much good if the rebound and compression are way off from ideal or your riding style.

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...
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I'll hold my hands up here having just read your comment I realised that I've took it for granted that the ACV is a 160 bike (just goes to show how much attention I was paying when it was set up for me) In my defence I was just blown away by how cool it looked, and the recommendation that 'This was my kind of bike!'.

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.
  • 2 1
 @WAKIdesigns: I'll take a 2.35/2.4 Magic Mary or a Shorty in the wet over a plus tire any day. The available 2.8/3.0 tires just don't bite as well in those conditions and sure as hell don't float anything like a fat tire. Great traction on loose, dry terrain, but wet? Nope. Not my experience at all. Packed up and skating is what I get. 2.5" WT tires may be sweet (and probably measure like 2.35" Schwalbes) but those aren't plus tires.
  • 2 0
 @JohnnyVV: which sane person compares plus tyres with DH tyres? If I was to ride in absolute gloop, on a HT or 120 bike (including 120-130 fork, not this stupid trend of late of putting full on Enduro kit on 120 frame) then I'd take a plus tyre. If I was using a full susser with slack geo them I'd pbviously take a Minion DH/SS combo.
  • 1 0
 @JohnnyVV: You are very correct. Magic Mary and Shorty in their TRAIL casings in 3c or Trailstar on use front and something a bit faster rolling on the back (Dhr2 for example) is way way ahead of a plus tyre anything in wet conditions or dry/loose for that matter from the testing that we have done on multiple group rides. The difference in control is huge, even with the psi fine tuned as best we could. It's enough for the best and fastest rider in our group to be as bad as the slowest rider.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: and Waki, he never said Dh tyres...that's pretty low of you to twist his words just to win a debate.
  • 4 0
 @panaphonic: no I'm not trying to win a debate. People here behave as if plus tyres were to take over the world, while they themselves believe that Everyone should run DH knob patterns. I haven't said it myself and honestly do not remember anyone saying that plus tyres could be a game changer for people who are able to utilize tyres like Minion or MM, even in thinner casings. If you have a bike like Bronson or Nomad then fk no, do not put plus tyres on. If your trails are rather smooth and hard, don't take plus, if you climb mostly on fireroads, skip plus. Itis a niche product in Pinkbike realm. It allows all people incl. Graves or Akrigg, to ride on very bumpy terrain, sandy and muddy trail surfaces where they would otherwise struggle. It allows less skilled riders ride where otherwise they'd have to dismount or ride with less confidence, and I doubt that Pinkbikers are such great bike handlers by average. When I see someone say that these are for Joeys I cringe.

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?
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Ok as for speed. There was an Enduro race held on our local trails not long ago. My times where still faster than the winner who beat Lopes and Craig. I don't know what exactly that means about how skilled on a bike I am. But they ran these trails on a closed course. Where as I couldn't and need to hold back in many areas as to not kill an on coming rider or hiker. Incidentally I set all those times on my TRC yes 5" travel 26" wheels are really fast in the right hands. My friends hold some of the fastest times on those trails. Incidentally all set on 26" bikes. One on and old beat to shit Giant hardtail with V brakes and 2.0 Super Sonics.
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.
  • 1 0
 @Bikethrasher: from what you describe I'd take a XC 29er on thunderburts and kick the sht out of your KOM Wink the issue is, if a whole day of Enduro racing was a one 20mile long stage, wirh fireroad climbs and all those DH WC worthy descents people would still ride XC FS bikes. Now most trails around my place are very bumpy, Squamish in miniature. But if stage is longer than 3mins, nothing beats XC racing bike. Despite gnarliest sht, I am quite certain that most local KOMs on decent segments are set on Epic/Top Fuel kind of bikes. The ability to lock it out and fkng smash the climb, even if 20m long makes night and day. Just put wider bars and a dropper on such bike and you'll easily go top 3 on your second run
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns If I had a dollar every time I heard that. Best of luck to you. Keep pushing your Industry adgenda pal. I'll keep riding what works for me.
  • 1 0
 @Bikethrasher: theonly industry agenda I may have lies with 160 bike, Antidote Carbon Jack . And I can stand behind it with all my heart and all my soul for being the best bike I have ever had. More all rounded and better climbing than my previous bike: Blur TRc, which I find fun and fast, only if run as designed by SC: 130 fork light wheels, light tyres. And yes it's a bike for smooth trails by all means. The frame takes repetitive casing of a 25ft jump but gets fkd by a rock on a climb.

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.
  • 1 0
 @Bikethrasher: Here's my industry agenda: www.pinkbike.com/photo/13823755 I took it to the beach yesterday to ride in a cool place and take pictures to promote it a bit (I have extremely limited reach) and all I can tell you is that i descends like a dream (as expected) climbs better than TRc with Pushed Float CTD (at least in a way that it allows me to cimb sht that Trc would flip over and make me push). Finally it is the first bike that I love looking at so much that I cannot help myself but to be narcissistic about it. I am ashamed of it but I want to lick it and rub my penis on it (in that particular order). I will put silver stickers on Lyrik and probably get Hope brakes just to get those braided hoses. I love it. This is the best bike I have ever owned with a big margin, andthe only other bike I rode that comes close to it is Stumpy 29 Evo belonging to some journo, so it was amazingly setup. I don't want to drop names here. Cheers!
  • 2 0
 @xeren: I reckon they're faster downhill anyway. Uphill is a different story. The stopwatch also thinks they're quicker www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/article/are-275-wheels-and-tyres-better-than-29ers-47047
  • 1 0
 @movitas: 1-3 psi? I need to be within 1/2 a psi or they feel crap. This is probably the reason people don't like plus tyres is they don't take the time to get the pressure dialled. It takes time and a very accurate gauge and you have to do it before every ride.
  • 1 0
 @fartymarty: Agreed, unfortunately my Topeak digital gauge does not read in 1/2 psi increments, but I don't foresee folks flocking to get a gauge that accurately reads in 1/2 psi increments. 1-3psi was based on weeks of experimenting, and basically came down to this: Find the sweet spot after spending some time experimenting riding in a not very aggressive XC like riding style. Then if you foresee your self wanting to ride aggressively, adding 1psi will help reduce tire squirm when stuffing those corners or skimming thru the tops of rocks or gaping rock sections at high speeds. Then if you happen to have some small to medium size berms in your local trails and you like to rail them hard, then 1 more psi may help, but at this point you are pushing the limitations of the that tire size (2.8 in my case), and you start sacrificing ride quality drastically. And if you want to ride even more aggressively or go schred at the bike park, I would recommend sticking with standard size tires. On a full suspension bike, 1-3 psi considerably changes the ride quality, but it would not be as horrible it would be on a hardtail. I'm still waiting for manufacturers to come up with stronger casing such as super gravity, it would be heavier, but worth it as a piece of mind for the rear tire... Last weekend my luck ran out and I managed to get 3 punctures (not at the same time) on my rear tire on the same ride, one of them was too large to plug
  • 1 0
 @movitas: Buy yourself an Apico 0-30psi gauge. I reckon I can get to within 1/4 a psi. I also have a Topeak and a SKS Airchecker which are good but only good to 1 psi / 0.5 psi respectively. Agreed it is about trial and error which will put off a lot. I'm riding Surly Dirt Wizards 60tpi which are fairly stiff.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: hope just use goodridge hoses
  • 11 0
 " Of course, not all bike or forks have enough room to accommodate that wide of a tire – it's a pretty tight fit even with a 15x110mm 27.5" RockShox Lyrik."
I see...guys HERE COMES THE FUTURE
  • 10 0
 I see a new standard coming! BRING IT ON, BIKE INDUSTRY. 15x110 IS NOT DEAD.
  • 9 1
 @passwordpinkbike: Its called boost init? How about 110x20... extra stiffness and only a minimal increase in weight...
  • 11 1
 So I've been running an "almost plus" tire for the last 2 yrs on my 26er dh bike? Sounds like tires like the nokian gazzaloddi are becoming popular again? Lol. It's almost the size of a 27+ just about an inch shorter
  • 2 1
 Truth
  • 20 3
 @pikebait2013, you sure have, but I bet those tires weigh almost a pound more apiece than these tires.
  • 2 2
 @mikekazimer: good point lol...but oddly enough the 26x2.2in specialized adrenalines are roughly the same size as the gazzaloddi jr. and they do weigh a hell of a lot less. Used it as a rear tire till it wore out, the damn gazzaloddi just wont wear out
  • 6 5
 How long will we have to wait until people STOP mentioning Gazzalodis by every occasion a Plus tyre comes along? no, just fkng no, you were not right all along, using Gazzas has always been stupid, nothing to be proud of. They were crappy tyres, just like everything from Nokian
  • 3 1
 @WAKIdesigns: You're not from Cascadia - you just don't understand.
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I never had an issue running those tires other than the weight. They work well for me and have plenty of grip. I don't mean to offend you by the tired I use lol
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I'm thinking never, just like when we'll stop seeing people comparing normal tires to + tires like casing width is the only difference. Including the article. take a look at the sidewall on those tires, & tell me with a straight face they'd be anywhere near the diameter of a + tire or 29er tire with another .2" of width.
  • 2 1
 Wow 165mm on a 29er... That's gonna be quick.
  • 3 0
 wouldn't be surprised to see him ride an enduro at crankworx though.
  • 3 0
 @jeremeybyrne: Colorado trails are IMBA sidewalks compared to the Whistler gnar.
  • 1 0
 @jeremeybyrne: True, but I’m betting they throw him an Enduro too.
  • 2 0
 @jeremiahwas: They will definitely want him on a new Enduro to boost sales. That's the reason they've got him on the payrole.
  • 2 0
 @fartymarty: from Vital, he's on a 29er with a 170mm
  • 1 0
 @jeremiahwas: Cheers. I stand corrected. Man they look good too! Can't wait for the coverage.
  • 10 0
 "it was a brown wallet, it has props numbers, it had my jimmy hats, i gotsa get it man"

never skimp on yer rubbers...
  • 8 0
 26 is making a comeback... oops that's 2.6. But 26 X 2.6, now there's something I could get excited about.
  • 1 0
 Yeah these tyres in a 26" size would be awesome. I was chuffed when they did the grid and slaughter un 26" but they measured up much smaller than the 2.3" butcher sx. So I was hoping for a 2.5" version. Please Specialized make a 26" version
  • 4 0
 The new "industry standard" should be the measurement of tires because it is really crazy. The manufacturers can write anything on the side of the tires but we have no clue how wide they are or how they compare to others until we try it ourselves. I had 2,4 Ardent that was a little bit wider than 2,5 DHF on the same wheels and the 2,35 Hans Dampf measured 2,52 on 25mm internal width rims.
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...
  • 2 1
 Don't forget the width is greatly effected by the rim width as well. So bit hard for the tyre dudes to get it 100%
  • 3 0
 I read somewhere in one of the MTBR forums from a maxxis employee that the sidewall sizes are measured at an industry standard PSI that's super high. You get a tire measurement that's bigger than actual due to the stretch, even though in practice you run them at lower psi.
  • 2 0
 @TheMrPlow: Of course the rim width would be standard too they can come up with a number that is the most commonly used. It's not rocket science but I think it doesn't fit their marketing strategy...
  • 1 0
 @bosnianrider: It is more than just marketing. Most of the dudes in the bike industry are riders like you and I. They are trying to improve the experience, not creating new standards just for marketing. Rim width playes a huge role in how your bike corners, stops, handles. So does tyre size. And a lot of that depends on rider weight, and ability. A 60kg dude isn't going the exert the same force onto his tyre as a 110kg dude. So he isn't really going to benefit from a 2.6" tyre. In fact it would probably slow him down from the rolling resistance. The 110kg dude is going to push his tyres a lot more through fast corners too. So a wider rim is going to support his tyre a lot better. It isn't all marketing! Or you would all still be riding your 26" 1990s dually's with elastomer suspension.
  • 2 0
 @TheMrPlow: on "doesn't fit their marketing strategy" I meant that the manufacturers have no interest in standarisation and transparency of tire size measurement so you wouldn't have to research forums on how does one brand's 2,4 tire compares to the other brand's 2,4 tire on the same internal rim width. With the confusion surrounding the widths they sell more tires than they would sell otherwise - in my opinion.
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.
  • 5 0
 Well I'm glad specialized is taking about these tires now... still wish they made them in 26 (since it would be the same diameter as 27.5 with a 2.1 mounted)
  • 7 0
 27.5.5 haha Time for a new front and rear axle standard.
  • 3 0
 Well I've been running 2.5 minion tr's for years.. would never bother with anything bigger or smaller again on the front.. and maybe a 2.4 dhr2 tr on the rear

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.
  • 1 0
 When Giant showed their 2017 line, the new Trance and Anthem were advertised as able to fit up to a 2.6. Talking with some of the guys at Giant, they feel 2.5-2.6 is the all around best size and will be where most people settle in the future.
  • 4 0
 Giant also said that it is impossible to build a long travel 29er, then that you can't mount a front mech to a long travel 29er and then they finally said that 29" will be dead, because 650 is so awesome. I would not hire them for future telling
  • 9 3
 It looks like a minion!
  • 13 5
 Unfortunately this clone still isn't as good. Just like all the others: pretenders.
  • 3 0
 IRC Yeti Claw??? The Yeti Claw was a standout tire for '97.
  • 3 1
 @chezotron: Hmm I remember him saying in an interview couple years ago how minions were his favourite tire and he always just used them. Shame when he switched to spesh he had to use their tyres. all them flats..
  • 1 0
 @chezotron: I'd disagree, depending on your definition/preference. As a front tire I think the Butcher does very well. Maybe loses a bit in grip and braking, but WAY faster rolling by my feels. Also lighter.
  • 1 0
 @bsavery: I've compared the two and though the Butcher is lighter it pales as far as grip and braking and I'll take those in a front tire any day. I want assurance and cornering confidence in my front tire. Back tire doesn't matter as much to me. But we all have our preferences and that's what makes the world fun, right?
  • 1 0
 @chezotron: Absolutely. I think on a trail bike the DHF is overkill on the front personally, and the Butcher really shines there. On my enduro bike I'd prefer a DHF
  • 3 0
 Seems like he's been tinkering with the bike so much this year searching for the perfect setup. Hope he can settle on something and stop having troubles during races.
  • 5 0
 2.75 inch tires would be the best.
  • 2 0
 Best of both worlds isn't it?
  • 4 0
 2.6" tires ain't dead.
  • 3 0
 Ive been hoping someone would release a better step up from a 2.4. 3.0 tires are just plain big, and if theyre at all durable are just too heavy for regular trail riding.
  • 1 0
 Butchers Control/Grid are very good for 5" bikes and hardtails, for their grip to weight and rolling resistance ratio. They work great in combo with Slaughter which is a truly outstanding tyre, outperforming Rock Razor in my books.

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.
  • 1 0
 You realize that Maxxis' parent company, CST, make the Specialized Butcher, right?
  • 2 0
 MTB has been like a bad comedy central in the last years ... now 2.6 because guess what the obvious has been noted? That 2.8-3.0 tires only work well if you want a balloon bike to have fun on sand?
  • 2 1
 I'm sure Jared gets a different rubber compound also, but specialized tires in general tend not to be the greatest. First thing I did after buying a Fuse 6Fattie was remove the Ground Control and Purgatory 3.0 tires (which on 45mm internal width rims DID indeed measure 3 inches wide) and replaced them with Vee Rubber Trax Fatty 3.25s, which have a superior silica rubber compound, better profile and knob design, and are larger... while still being lighter tires.
  • 1 0
 Have you tried Surly Dirt Wizards? theradavist.com/2016/03/surlys-dirt-wizard-is-the-shredliest-27-5-tire-ive-ridden-morgan-taylor Im running the 29" versions. They're a bit heavy but comparable to a Minion DHF
  • 1 0
 29'er on 30mm ID rims (prefer carbon) with maxxis minion DHRII & DHF 2.3's is the best grip Smile

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
  • 1 0
 Man, only available in 27.5 Frown My 26" keeps getting left out of the party. This does make me glad I just ordered a Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5 for the front though. We'll see how it matches up to a 2.3" Minion SS in the rear. Wish I could run a Slaughter 26x2.6 in the back, but alas 26 is dead to manufacturers.
  • 1 0
 In the terrain I ride in, typical 2.2-2.3 tires are pretty awful. You can't cram thru the turns as there is not enough traction, and you'll walk a lot of climbs. I mean a LOT. Plus tires work well on the climbs and really loose stuff but they feel a bit vague and of course slow when it smooths out. 2.5-2.6ish is the ultimate solution imo. I know this because I have been running true 2.5s on my G1 Bronson and have never ridden better. That said if it was between 2.2s and 2.8s for my terrain, I'd take 2.8s all day long.
  • 1 0
 Does nobody else think we'll go the way of moto's eventually? Look at a company like liteville or the old trek 69ers... I'd like to see a test with 26x 2.8-3.0 rear and something like 27.5x 2.4/ 29x 2.2-2.3 front.
  • 3 1
 I still have a maxxis mobster 2.7 front I use in the wet season from years ago,I'd def try this new 2.6.spec tires are pretty damn good from what I've experienced
  • 4 0
 Hmmmm..... An Enduro that will clear 2.6!?!??!
  • 2 1
 Probably why they're holding out til late fall to release the damn thing
  • 4 0
 2.6 tyres? Good news, then: finally there will be a true 2.2 Maxxis tyre!
  • 1 0
 I want to push my Michelin tires another season because they are 2.6. Also it's a reason I am hesitant on buying a 27.5 bike for dh it is hard to find something with that width or stiffness.
  • 1 0
 I personally opt for DD size. Definitly more grip. And they look a hell lot better too. When the casing is stiff enough, they have quite an awesome feel. And once they are released, wawaweewa!
  • 2 0
 The Continental Trail King 27.5x2.4 probably is similar. It makes a big baloon.
  • 3 0
 26 aint dead. It just moved from one diameter to the other
  • 1 0
 Its like the Clutch and the Butcher had a love child. Man the Clutch was awesome, I still have a new one but not a 26" bike anymore!
  • 3 0
 Can't wait to see the results on race day.
  • 2 2
 Politely stating; as the Gentleman Graves is, but actually saying + tires are lame and for goobers.

This article also says to me, He has been very disenchanted with S tires and suggested they get back to work!
  • 1 0
 I like my purgatory's, i run them in 2.3 29er and 27.5 my only complaint is the stans that leak ms through the sidewalls constantly.
  • 1 0
 You bet Graves will be running a different set up for Whistler (I asume he'll use these tyres on a 27,5 Enduro): he raced in Aspen with a Stumpjumer 29...
  • 1 0
 WTB Dissent lookalikes. Those tyres were hopeless on loose gravel and even worse on wet rocks and roots. Lets hope they don't ride the same.
  • 1 0
 Vee Tire Co. should watch out, Specialized might sue them for having a fat tire with a similar name to HillBilly, the H-Billie.
  • 2 0
 So are these the tires which caused Graves so much trouble at whistler over the past few days?
  • 1 0
 fenders are cool again, big tires make sense now, idiots are chasing pokemon around whats next Pauly Shore returns to comedy, mc hammer releases new album, 700c+
  • 1 0
 I have Maxxis Minion DHF WT tires mounted on internal 21mm rims and they measure 2.49 wide with calipers to the side knobs. They would certainly be wifer if I had wider rims.
  • 2 0
 Looks like Old Clutch... probably best tire ever.
  • 2 0
 greatest rear tire for sure. Wish I could get them.
  • 1 0
 Will these be big enough to sit correctly on a Sun Ringle MulFut wheel with a 45mm inner bead width?
  • 1 0
 I wonder what the diameter of these wheels are. If it measures out to be 28.25"...
  • 1 0
 It's all stupid I kinda get the thought that 27+ is just a stronger/ heavier vertion of 29 er
  • 2 0
 So We now have: fat, cubby, tubby and normal.
  • 1 0
 So in other words, Specialized will be making a copy of the Goma 2.4, which is really a 2.5.
  • 1 0
 but will his new tires be ran on his new Enduro? OR do they only have new enduro's for European bike mags and not racers...?
  • 2 1
 I've been waiting!!!!! For a tire like you.. To roll into myyyyy life!!!!!! JP~ Maxxis Love tried and true ;p
  • 1 0
 Tyre release prior to new Enduro release - clever. Show us the damn bike!?!?!
  • 1 0
 And since when is a rider aboard a tyre. He's on a bike ...
  • 1 0
 I'll wait for 63-603 front and 60-584 rear tyre for the best cornering bike ever!
  • 2 0
 Yeah.... I'm still on 26"
  • 1 0
 Nothing gets pink bikers all torqued up like the mention of a new size tire or wheel, I love it!
  • 1 0
 "Finally my flat tyre woes are ov... Aaaaaaaargh" - J Graves, 14 August 2016
  • 1 0
 Okaaay, so these tyres didn't appear to work so well for Mr Graves this weekend. Or was he racing on something else?
  • 1 1
 This is a good prospect, but the question arises will this be another specialized proprietary feature?
  • 1 0
 It ain't fat, it's just Alittle thick.
  • 2 0
 Maxxis Agrressor?
  • 1 0
 so this is the one keep flatting for the last few rounds of ews for Jared?
  • 1 0
 No.
  • 1 0
 Do you think this would fit 15x100 forks (got a pike) ?
  • 1 0
 It will be tight if this tire is bigger than a 2.5 WTB breakout. The WTB is already tight on my Pike.
  • 2 0
 great!
  • 4 3
 2 kg of rubber, mounted as rotating weight.....
  • 11 0
 You're right, 700x21C is the only way to roll.
  • 2 1
 sounds like a good idea (not excited about Specialized)
  • 6 8
 I ride the big S always have and will! But there tires are garbage!!! Sidewalls are thin and puncture easy. First thing I do when I buy a new bike is ditch tires and buy maxxis!!
  • 5 1
 Doesn't Maxxis make big S tires...?
  • 2 0
 You need to get out more and try other bikes. I have always enjoyed Maxxiss, and always tend to come back to then again after trying other brands. My spaz tyre experiences thigh have not been negative, besides flex sidewalls their tyres have been ok on my typical trails.
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 @HairyLegs: I have but my trail bike have always been the big S. I also own a Tuner DHR and bianci SS. Also have a hyper bmx.
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 @HairyLegs: the problem with S in this country is they dont stock grid casing in 26er tyres and the standard versions are leaky and prone to folding when pressed...
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 @Eatsdirt: do they really? haha no wonder I was thinking they looked pretty similar...
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 Agreed, control casing tires that come spec on all the trail bikes are garbage if you ride anything aggressive. Nice and light, but I can't keep air in them for longer than 15 minutes. Grids are the only way to go.
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 @headshot: agreed. ..... spent far too much tine trying to find 26er grid casings at lbs ' s in South Africa with no luck
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 That stairstep sideknobs looks great grab on corners
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 27.5"MTL (More to love).
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 where's the 27.5 x 2.75 already!
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 Honey, do these tires make my ass look big?
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 The foes mixer rocks .
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