My 2.8 NN is a world away from the trailblazer I had before. It's big but doesn't rub in my revelation, and is far more confidence inspiring, I can actually lean the bike over again. The back with a trailblazer is still all over the place but that is ok.
Almost considering trying the wheelset in my full sus bike now - the trailblazer just did't have the grip to make it worthwhile, but the NN could be fun!
Not sure it would fit in the back of my Solaris but may try one in there, too.
My 2.8 NN is here. I aim to get it mounted (i35 rim) and tried in a Pike tomorrow. I'll try it in the back of my Yelli too. Watch this space ...
2.8 NN on a Scraper has a fair bit of clearance in a Pike 29.
2.8 NN on an i35 has almost enough clearance* in the back of a MK2 Yelli.
*Could be a bit better but might work in the right kind of mud.
Not sure it would fit in the back of my Solaris but may try one in there, too.
Just put a NN 2.8 on a 35mm rim in the back of mine. Clearance less than TB 2.8, but looks fine for the non muddy trails round the Lakes. Will test tomorrow (once it's stretched overnight...) and report back.
Yup confirmed as above, a 2.8 NN on scraper rims fits comfortably in a 29er pike with enough clearance for a mucky nutz mini face fender 🙂
Went out this morning on the smuggler with TB on the back, NN on the front expecting it to be a handful in the slop thats around these parts, but I was pleasantly surprised. More grip than expected at the front with the TB struggling for traction a bit in the deep stuff, but thats to be expected given its tread. Despite the TB it was still a good combo and worked well.
Was far more predictable and stable through the 2-3inch greasy slop than my mates std 650b lapierre with 2.2NN's all round. Managed some great wall rides along high banks.
Really impressed so will leave the wheelset on for a while. The NN is definitely an improvement compared with Trax Fatty. Still waiting for the rekon+ though. Once that comes through will put NN on the back. That should then be a really good winter combo. Doesnt sound like we will see the rekon+ anytime soon so may have to wait for next winter for that combo.
How do you find the BB height? It's pretty low on the Smuggler with 29er wheels and by my calculations it drops something like another 7mm with B+ wheels which sounds like pedal strike city.
smuggler bb height is reduced and pedal strikes are a bit more common but not a problem. plenty of ruts and stumps today but no strikes
Thanks. You've got the Mk1 Smuggler right? The newer one has a 5mm higher BB so if it works for you it should be fine for me. I did try sticking my TB wheels in the Smuggler just to see how they fit and looked, but I've not tried it on the trail yet. I might give it a go when the snow comes though. It looked fine 🙂
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nice 🙂 yes mk1. wouldn't recommend a TB on the front though unless Super dry.
I've had them on my Solaris, but I agree that they are much more suited to the dry than the current slop. They might work on powdery snow, but only time will tell.
Couple of hours today on the Mk1 Solaris with 2.8" N Nics. Riding around Braithwaite/Whinlatter on tarmac, mud, snow, ice and rock (and combinations of all of them). With higher pressure they felt fine up the tarmac of the Pass. Dropped pressures once off road. More grip than any 29" tyre I've used (2.3 Purgatory, 2.35 Hans Dampf etc), in fact as much grip as my power up and skills/bottle down could use. Slid out once on a big greasy root and once on icy snow. Not much wider than a 29" HDampf, but can be run at lower pressure without knackering rims on the frequent rocks round here. None of that sticky mud that some of you have to suffer, but surely a 2" 29er mud tyre's what's needed there.
I've lost the only reservations I had of B+ now - grippy, reasonably light and tough tyres that are easy to set up tubeless. I'll go back to TBlazer on the rear for dry summer and will stick 29er wheels on occasionally, but otherwise these are keepers.
Mk1 Solaris, RS Rev forks, 45mm Dually front rim and 35mm Arc rear, 2x10 speed with 180mm cranks (and no pedal strikes).
🙂
Nice one. Just need to find a S/H Solaris frame now
Firet ride today on the Tarn since putting a 29+ front wheel on it (650+ rear). Much prefer it to 2x 650+ mostly as it raises the BB closer to 300mm. Was too low on 650+ ft/rr. Loved it. At -3C today the sloppy conditions had firmed up enough for +tyres. When it warms up I'll be back on the Zealous with 29er Barons or High Latitude with Beaver/Shorty.
So i managed to get the BigWig built up for a quick blast this morning ,absolutely bloody mental thing it is. [img][url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5660/23430513980_a61b89142b_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5660/23430513980_a61b89142b_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/BGtvuY ]DSC_0928[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/136996011@N06/ ]RYAN KENT[/url], on Flickr[/img][img][url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5753/23358267549_092f1bef7a_k.jp g" target="_blank">
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5753/23358267549_092f1bef7a_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/BA6e9R ]DSC_0935[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/136996011@N06/ ]RYAN KENT[/url], on Flickr[/img]
That BigWig looks fun!
absolutely bloody mental thing it is.
review of the year.
Anyone tried a Rocket Ron 3.0 on the back yet .now that I have decent clearance I quite fancy one of these.
A 2.8 Nic on an i35 just about squeezes into the back of a Mk1b Yelli Screamy. Won't be able to do a ride test for a while.
That BigWig looks ace. I think it might have settled the 29er/27.5+ dilemma I've been having for my Last
That BigWig looks ace. I think it might have settled the 29er/27.5+ dilemma I've been having for my Last
That BigWig looks ace. I think it might have settled the 29er/27.5+ dilemma I've been having for my Last
One frame for both!
Must say I'm looking forward to seeing your Last George, looks like a lovely bike from the blurb on their website.
I'll be looking at the Last with interest too.
When's it arriving?
February. Which is a lot more looking forward than I want, really.
Just been out for a quick spin on my Yelli.
First time out of the NN's as I've been ill for a bit.
[url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/656/23826061115_f94c378152_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/656/23826061115_f94c378152_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/CiqMTa ]IMG_20151218_104712496_HDR[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]multispeedstu[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/730/23458116689_d959224ed5_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/730/23458116689_d959224ed5_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/BJUYPK ]IMG_20151218_104558040_HDR[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]multispeedstu[/url], on Flickr
Head and shoulders above the Trax Fatty, Trailblazer combo in the wet.
I'm now able to go forwards and change dirrection. Which is nice. 8)
Good news Stu. I had those bars on mine too.
(your pics look very N Downsy).
how much clearance do you have on the DS chainstay?
Same as the NDS.
Mark2's have a more central design at the chainstay bb junction.
With the i35 rim replacing the Scraper it's gone up from a knats cock to two knats cocks.
Some setup in a Mk 1 & the gnat gets his cock lightly buffed.
Have you thought about trying a WTB Breakout 2.5 tyre?
I've just bought one in case it doesn't work out with NN.
Comes up at 67mm on a Scraper so will give another knats to the clearance. But more importantly it seems to be as tall as the NN.
[url= https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5725/23199826354_9a9f3affce_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5725/23199826354_9a9f3affce_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Bm6b77 ]IMG_20151218_142317803_HDR[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]multispeedstu[/url], on Flickr
I assume they're the 2.8s Stu?
Thx no I wasn't aware of that. Good fallback if the NN doesn't work out (which is very likely).
I assume they're the 2.8s
Yep. Front on i45 rear on i35.
I have just popped a set of 3.0 Purgatory wheels on 29mm ID rims in my '13 Transition Bandit 29er. They'll work in dry conditions but it is too tight for the sticky mud I have here.
Where can I get some 2.8 Nobby Nics, I have been searching but no joy as of yet. Or what else is out there, i'm talking proper tyres, with nobs on rather than the Trail Blazers.
Super excited as the Bandit is still my favourite bike... might mean the Enduro spends a lot of time alone!
Thanks Stu
Just ordered a pair from Slam69 which are both Trailstar, would have preferred a Pacestar on the back but very happy, can't wait to get out on the old bike once they arrive.
Just need to find a S/H Solaris frame now
I think my small MK1 will be for sale, just can't get on with the 29er thing much prefer my 26" Soul.
Out for a ride earlier today.
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B+ really does seem to be the bastard love child of a 29er and a fatbike. What I'm not comprehending at the moment is how it seems to pick up speed out of nowhere.
Spotted this on PB would be good if you picked up an older Sultan for sensible money. From the article looks like it was on 650B+ 3" wide tyres
This Turner Sultan was retro-fitted with 27.5+ tires, and is the only complete bike we have found so far in Taipei with the mid-sized fat tires on it.
[URL= http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn298/Turner5spot20/turner%20sultan%20650_zpsjw5bsrnr.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn298/Turner5spot20/turner%20sultan%20650_zpsjw5bsrnr.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
The 29" Pike fork on this Turner had average clearance with a 27.5" wheel and this 3.0" Trax Fatty.
[URL= http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn298/Turner5spot20/sultan%20rear_zpsq9yxtouw.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn298/Turner5spot20/sultan%20rear_zpsq9yxtouw.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
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Had a very muddy 50 mile ride on the Zealous. I actually found the TBs very good for my local trails. It gripped 95% of the time. The only issue I had was claggy mud covering the tred- but I think most tyres would have struggled. The Zealous Mk2 has plenty of mud clearance outback and the Revs were okay. I had to stop a couple times to clear the mud out.
I'm very impressed with the big tyres and rims. The ride is comfortable but it's still easy to cover ground quickly. Love the bike!
That Sultan looks good, as it happens I have failed to sell mine ( asking too much most likely) now Im torn between selling or building it up
Just put the wheels on but not ridden. 3 inch nic up front, 2.8 in the rear, both on i35 rims; plenty of clearance. Looks like it should be a whole lotta fun.....
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that looks like trouble.
Does anyone have an actual measurement for a 2.8 nobby nic on a wide rim like a scraper?
Pretty sure sstu measured it to be 72 or 73mm earlier in this thread. I don't have any calipers to do it accurately on an i35. It also depends on where and how much the chainstays curve in as I find it gets tight at that point with the sidewall of the tyre.... if that makes sense.
Going to try back to back runs on a hardtail comparing the plus with 29er on Saturday. On the full sus it all felt a bit vague with the suspension and soft tyres, hoping it's better with the hardtail which is what the wheels were bought for in the first place. That said my gut feeling is that for pure speed a 29er with proper rubber will be faster than the plus size.
Okeydokey, thanks for that 🙂
Does anyone have an actual measurement for a 2.8 nobby nic on a wide rim like a scraper?
[url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/754/23532054741_e81bab07c7_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/754/23532054741_e81bab07c7_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/BRrW2K ]Nobby Nic 2.8[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]multispeedstu[/url], on Flickr
It grew a couple of mm after a couple of rides.
My 3.0 NN (just mounted to a Scraper) comes in at 79mm. As SSStu says, I expect it'll grow by a couple of mm.
My [b]3.5[/b] FatBNimbles are the same width 😆
Nobby Nic looks like a "proper" MTB tyre. Should be able to cope with the current slop levels better than the FBNs - though I'm just running it on the front at the moment.
Thanks again fellas
In the process of trying this on my mk1 Yelli, bought a i45 Scrapers wheel set, a 2.8 VeeTire Bulldozer for the rear and a Specialised Purgatory 3 for the front, (Pike 140 forks)
The Bulldozer only clears the chainstays with 20psi, it being tight on the LH, going to offset the rim to get it centre but even then reckon it's going to be touch and go if I can actually ride it, not sure what to do if it don't work so open to suggestions?
The Purgatory has yet to arrive from Evans ordered Tue! unlike Next Day Tyres for the Bulldozer ordered 3pm Tue and in my hands 9am Wed morning.
As per earlier posts in the thread, 3.0 purgatory's on 45mm scrapers wont work in standard pikes. In the stand they will just roll, but when on the trails and turning they do rub. 2.8NN's are perfect for pikes as you can also fit a mucky nutz which really does stop the sh*t flying up into your face.
Thats odd, i've been running mine for weeks with zero issues
To clarify I mean 29er rct3 pikes
Any pics of the clearance with that setup bigh?
Update Yelli mk 1
Wheel now tweaked so it sits central, still not much chainstay clearence but at least the tyre doesnt rub any more 🙂 Tubeless milk added (not keeping pressure) and a quick spin down the road and all seams fine, will be waiting on the front tyre before a proper ride.
Ive ridden with 'bigh' and his setup with the Purgatory 3 on the front with a Pike RCT3 does work with no mudguard which is why I ordered one.
Wheel now tweaked so it sits central, still not much chainstay clearence but at least the tyre doesnt rub any more
At least until it stretches overnight?
It's not easy taking a photo to give an idea of clearance is it, I reckon theres 4-5mm. I have ridden it a hell of a lot, through the worst conditions possible. At no point did they rub or deposit large amounts of mud onto the forks. I've been very pleased with them quite honestly. I have a rrp thingy and a crudcatcher which seem to be keeping me fairly clean.
[img][url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1502/24123285156_863b97c950_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1502/24123285156_863b97c950_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/CKG9eA ]DSC_0168[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/23523224@N08/ ]bighpr[/url], on Flickr[/img]
[img][url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1681/23853738660_6ef8b1aa53_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1681/23853738660_6ef8b1aa53_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/CkSDsd ]DSC_0170[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/23523224@N08/ ]bighpr[/url], on Flickr[/img]
That's the sort of clearance I had at the back of my lurcher and it was definitely 'polishing' the frame but I guess a back wheel has more load on it.
Bigh - what pressure are you running though? I guess there could be variance in the tyres as the one I got from specialized had slightly less clearance and @ 10psi it rubbed on one side in tight fairly high speed turns and berms.
Im running 45mm scraper rims on 29er RCT3 pike just to clarify
Had the wheel redished a couple of times as the clearance side 2 side wasnt even, but gave up and now run a 2.8NN which is just as good but with more clearance of course.
Ive found with the scrapers the sweet spot for pressures generally with 2.8 and 3.0 tyres is 10 PSI as it provides a great balance of grip without noticeable side to side roll.
15 ish in front, im 15 stone with kit so i'm reluctant to go much lower
Slightly OT but I Impulse bought a 27.5+ Hardtail yesterday. Took it for a quick spin today and loving it. Only problem is in the current conditions the spray from the front wheel. The issue is it's got a lefty- anyone got any ideas of any mudguards that will fit? Also how are people finding the nobby nics. I've got WTB bridgers on i45 rims. The grip seemed pretty good when I dropped the pressure to around 10 psi but the nics look like they've got a pretty aggressive tread. Thanks
I reckon you could fit a mud hugger - they're fairly stiff so they'd probably cope with being mounted on one side if you fix it firmly enough that it doesn't spin round the leg
Or one of those rubbish looking but very effective SKS shock boards that fit to the head tube
http://m.evanscycles.com/products/sks/shockboard-front-mudguard-ec004907
Currently running 3 inch Nobby Nic's on Halo's truly excellent 35mm Vapor wheels on my Turner Sultan with a Fox 34 up front. Plenty of clearance front and rear. The Nobby Nic's look massive and dwarf the 2.35 Hans Damff 29er tyres I had fitted previously. They are a very different beast from the 29 Nobby Nics.
Update 2 Yelli Mk1
So the Purgatory 3.0 turned up today, got it fitted but it wasnt well seated first time and had a wobble which meant it rubbed so it had to come off spend a bit of time in the warm and be remounted, ok this time. It spins ok in the Pike Forks although not a huge amount of clearence, anyway in went the sealent and we shall see if it 'grows' overnight!
Rear wheel/tyre still spins without contact 🙂
Bit of a rubish picture but best I can do for now, needs riding to see if its all a bit too close....
[url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1696/23551012973_e4cfcaa244_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1696/23551012973_e4cfcaa244_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
Question for folks on 2.8 Nics - am about to order rims, torn between 30mm or 40mm rims. 30mm are 100g lighter - which is a fair chunk on the outside of the wheel.
What are you using/recommending?
I use 2.8 NN on... 35 mm rims 😀 sorry it doesn't help!
They are now exactly 70 mm wide. I'm sure that 30 mm rims would be no problem, but tire would be maybe 68 mm wide.
Question for folks on 2.8 Nics - am about to order rims, torn between 30mm or 40mm rims. 30mm are 100g lighter - which is a fair chunk on the outside of the wheel.
I think the general consensus is go the widest rim you can to ensure you can use the lower pressures without tyre roll.
I have a pair of i45 and p35 to build, was planning to do the p35 for the 29er and the i45 for the Fatbike, but think ill put the i45's as fronts with 35mm for the rears. Should be best of both worlds for each bike.
So im on a gen 2 yelli as well. Just picked up a set of hubs but still debating rim width due to potential clearance issues in the rear. Like the option of the wtb breakout 2.5 on an i45, but want to max the cush and have doubts about a 2.8 clearing the rear reliably on the i45. Any thoughts about a 2.8 on a velocity dually? Internal width 39mm(lil bigger than the i35 yet smaller than the i45). Really want a rekon+, but hate to wait to build these up til they arrive.
2.8 NNs here, 45mm front rim and 30 rear. The rear feels great, though I'm not a fan of low pressure - run at around 20 psi I reckon. At lower pressure, the rim (Easton Arc burps and leaks sealant. If weight concerns you go 30mm, if not 40mm.
though I'm not a fan of low pressure
I'm not really understanding why you want to run + tyres.
Boxelder, are on a yelli as well? For me the lower pressure and added volume is the point. Weight is no issue. Wouldnt even be looking at this setup if it was. My purpose is to get more tire suspension safety margin in the rear of the bike without so i am destroying my rim and back in the rough. The added grip is a bonus.
Few pages on, (& a few months use), from my last post but just to add; the 45mm Dually rims work really well. Pressure wise I'm at about 18 psi rear (2.8" Trailblaster), 16 psi front (3" Knard). Rolling resistance isn't an issue I've noticed, but what I have noticed is a ride that's almost sublime.
The Knard/TB combo isn't the most grippy, but I've no complaints. Really happy with mine now. I'd no go back to "normal" tyres again.
I'm not really understanding why you want to run + tyres.
..because I like tyres at least as wide as 2.4" 29ers I was using, that I can run at pressures which give lots of cushioning and traction, without whacking rims on the frequent rocky trails round here. + tyres at around 20psi give me that.
I like low[i]er[/i] pressure, but I don't need to go 13/15 like many do. For me that risks knackered rims on steep rocky descents.
Boxelder, are on a yelli as well?
Solaris
the 45mm Dually rims work really well.
Agreed - no 'squirmy' feel on that, even when burping tyre meant very low pressure. Too wide for the rear of a Solaris though and I want to be able to run a WTB TB on the rear without it having a really square/flat proile.
I've been playing around with a Nobby Nic 3.0 on a Scraper and at 20 psi it's just way too firm for a rigid front end. I've a set of Rebas to try too mind so haven't come to any final conclusions yet
Update 3 Yelli Mk1
Managed to fnaly get out and ride the Yelli today, it might not have been raining but the FOD conditons were plenty of mud. Tyres were at 15psi Specialised Purgatory 3.0 on the front and a Vee Buldozer 2.8 on the back all spining nice and free in the frame.
Out on the fire road and all was good, bit sticky but only to be expected given the conditions and couldnt detect any rubbing, happy days 🙂
First section of singletrack in the mud and was sliding about, but to be fair it was minging, however could now detect the occasional buz as the tyre intermitantly rubbed the frame, didnt seem too bad and quickly forgot about it as we moved onto firmer trails.
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Took me a little while to get used to the different levels of grip but just loved it on the green lanes and firmer single track, one of which was basically a running stream. Big grin its so much fun, however every time I got more speed up I sensed that the tyres were rubbing. Wasnt going to worry about it though..... well not until I got home..
[url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1441/23977129150_5df31f8a44_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1441/23977129150_5df31f8a44_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/CwM49s ]
Post ride and as you can see its looking a bit yuk...
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After washing it off at home time to take the wheels out and inspect the chainstays..
[url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1704/23644545234_e301c72532_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1704/23644545234_e301c72532_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1556/24246643976_e5e3007365_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1556/24246643976_e5e3007365_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
Thats the result of 19km in the FOD, granted conditions under were not ideal but clearly theres quite a bit of rubbing going on, I reckon when its dry and dusty speeds will be higher and the sideway loads greater and well the rubbing is not going to go away.
Gutted really but im not going to continue and spoil my Yelli frame, I could put a narrower 2.5 tyre on but that sort of defeats the object and in turn will lower the bottom bracket more.
So its going back to being a proper 29er and one of my good riding buddies is hovering vulture like for the wheels! 🙂 Has been a great experiment and I reckon if it had been a Yelli Mk2 which I gather has slightly more room in the chainstays then it would have been a result.
Right. Plus it is.
Pro 4 hubs, XM551 rims and 2.8 NN Trailstar/Pacestar combo ordered.
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Alpkit 650b plus wheels now available in normal...
https://www.alpkit.com/products/love-mud-rumpus-100-142-wheelset
...and boost
https://www.alpkit.com/products/love-mud-rumpus-boost-wheelset
Although cheap that's a 2.5kg wheelset!!
Wonder if you could drill the rims out?
Spotted Evans have [url= http://www.evanscycles.com/products/schwalbe/rocket-ron-evo-tl-easy-snakeskin-pacestar-650b-275-x-30-tyre-ec124069 ]3" rocket rons[/url] in stock. Anyone measured one of those yet?
