Before the rants start, I just want to say that - for me - [i]general riding conditions[/i] for a B+ tyre will be loose over a hard surface (such as a Welsh trail centre), sand-based (such as Thetford Forest) or loamy spring / summer / autumn conditions. As plus tyres handle like a boat in the wet I have no intention of riding them anywhere where a 29er wheel with a slimmer, spikier tyre will work better.
3" tyres are not really realistic either as there's only a few mm clearance between one and the frame. I like Spesh tyres, but have had to discount on that basis (and they're not in the country for a while).
With that in mind, I'm thinking a Maxxis Rekon on the front and an Ikon on the rear would be a pretty good combo.
Otherwise I'm very interested to hear your real world opinions before spending in the region of £120 (gulp!) on what's essentially a disposable item.
Can't comment on it as a rear, as I've only used it on the front, but a 2.8NN is very good in all conditions, apart from proper slop - same as most plus tyres.
I went for the 2.8 over the 3 as they are the same weight, so deduced that the smaller of the 2 would be the more robust.
I'm running a Nobby Nic Snakeskin. 1000 miles in over mixed terrain and I think it was a very good choice.
The Rocket Ron snakeskin isn't a bad option for the rear in 2.6 or 2.8. The walls feel a bit more substantial than that of my trailblazer (although not had a puncture on that either!)
Might have some Bridger and Trail Bosses you can try out if you're up this way and you give me some notice, could have them on a spare wheelset for some swap-tests.
I have nothing to compare to but the WTB Rangers i have are great in those kind of conditions.
I have been using 2.8 Rekon's for the last 3 weeks and put quite a few miles on them. Very happy with them, using them on trail centres and natural trails. Grippy and roll very well.
Might look at getting the ikon next spring for the rear.
The Rocket Ron snakeskin isn't a bad option for the rear in 2.6 or 2.8. The walls feel a bit more substantial than that of my trailblazer (although not had a puncture on that either!)
I think the divide here is whether you ride on rocky stuff or not. By 'rocky' I mean Peak / Lakes-type terrain where you inevitably hit big rocks hard if you're going at any sort of speed on a hardtail at least. Cue pinch flats even run tubeless. It's not a problem on smoother stuff.
I've currently got a 2.8 NN up front, lots of tread grip, rubber compound quite hard on rocky stuff. And a Rekon+ 2.8 out back, which seems like a good all-rounder, feels much stickier than the NN in terms of rubber compound, but doesn't roll as fast as either the Trail Blazer or the Ro Ro. I've wondered about the Rekon / Ikon combination myself, but I'm about to stick a patched-up Trail Blazer back on the rear with Pro Core and see how that goes.
I suspect that if you're not somewhere rocky - Peaks / Lakes / Scotland - or ride quite conservatively. Or run high-ish pressures then pinch flats won't be an issue in the same way.
Thanks all.
Might have some Bridger and Trail Bosses you can try out if you're up this way and you give me some notice, could have them on a spare wheelset for some swap-tests.
Cheers James, sound good - I'll let you know.
By 'rocky' I mean Peak / Lakes-type terrain where you inevitably hit big rocks hard if you're going at any sort of speed on a hardtail at least. Cue pinch flats even run tubeless. It's not a problem on smoother stuff.
Not regularly, but do head to the Peaks and more natural Wales from time to time. Certainly not had a huge problem with pinch flats in the past while riding there. Am looking at tougher sidewalls though, purely from a support POV.
Anyone running a Nobby Nic Trailstar on the rear? Draggy or put-uppable-with? Or would a Ro Ro be a better bet?
Trails will probably vary from loam and sand to manufactured (Swinley, Welsh centres) to occasional Peaks and Lakes rock. Unfortunately can't find 2.8s in an Apex sidewall either.
[quote=Pimpmaster Jazz ]Anyone running a Nobby Nic Trailstar on the rear? Draggy or put-uppable-with? Or would a Ro Ro be a better bet?
Trails will probably vary from loam and sand to manufactured (Swinley, Welsh centres) to occasional Peaks and Lakes rock. Unfortunately can't find 2.8s in an Apex sidewall either.
fragile.
fragile
😆
Any tyre in particular? Or just Schwalbe Snakeskins in general?
I used a pair of NNs (TSC front and PSC rear) in Afan and Cwmcarn this weekend and no issues at all. I was slamming into everything on the way down the skyline descent as I was completely shagged so they certainly got a thorough testing.
If you're that worried though try the ranger in the tough compound. CRC had them in stock.
[quote=Pimpmaster Jazz ]
Any tyre in particular? Or just Schwalbe Snakeskins in general?
I have a 2.8 NN snakeskin with 6-7 holes in it. I've never known a tyre so bad. bottom out on the rim and it will pretty much guarantee a slice or a hole.
The Rocket Ron is similarly delicate. Don't ask how I know etc...
Anyone using the Apex version of the NN? Does the extra 200g work?
bottom out on the rim...
I think I see your problem. 😉
I think the problem with B+ is that theres' a small window where they work really well - softer and they roll around, harder and you may as well run normal tyres. Unfortunately that window is also low enough that when you do hit something hard, it blows through the high air volume and smacks the rim.
I'm guessing that there's not much rising rate when tyre sizes increase and not so much air that it's hard to bottom them out. Or that's my theory.
I've just stuck a Ranger TCS Tough 2.8 on the back. It's a tad small, but feels seriously robust with properly thick sidewalls. If that doesn't work I'm sticking Pro Core in... and if that too fails, I'll just run big 'normal' tyres and wait for the new generation of 2.6" versions.
It's a whole new world of extended tyre faff 🙁
I think the problem with B+ is that theres' a small window where they work really well
Yeah, agreed.
It's a whole new world of extended tyre faff
Yeah, agreed.
😆
Tempted by those Rangers TBH. Initially I wasn't overly fond of the idea of a tough, fast rolling tyre on the rear, then it dawned on me which end is unsuspended and gets clouted into rocks...
I've just stuck a Ranger TCS Tough 2.8 on the back. It's a tad small, but feels seriously robust with properly thick sidewalls.
Doing the same. Going to be interesting to see how it works out.
Can any one tell me which is the grippiest 2.8 or 3.0 for winter conditions (wet, muddy, slippery roots, wet rocks etc.)?
On my old bike I'd just run Trailrakers but my new bike came with plus tyres.
I don't care how heavy or draggy they are, I'm just after the most grip.
Ta.
Can any one tell me which is the grippiest 2.8 or 3.0 for winter conditions (wet, muddy, slippery roots, wet rocks etc.)?
Wet and muddy? 29er wheels with mud tyres.
Wet and muddy? 29er wheels with mud tyres.
That's the conclusion I'm coming to :(.
However before that I thought I might try some Spesh Purgatory 3.0 front and rear?
I successfully ran a 3.0" Nobby Nic on the front last winter (well, other than when I was riding my fatbike). I still have a FatBnimble on the back and was considering something like a Purgatory to replace it this year.
Mind you, it's probably safe to ignore my opinion on anything B+ as I seem to have no problem with punctures, nor do I have to fanny around with tyre pressures all the time.
Hallelujah! The Ranger Tough 2.8 survived this evening's ride unscathed. Which makes a change. Reasonably quick, quite predictable, about the right amount of grip for a rear tyre, works quite well with a NN up front.