2.2 in the front?

[RS VR6]

I'm running the Panaracer Smoke and Dart setup. Both 2.1. The front feels real skid-ish in the turns on the loose dirt up around the Mulholland trails.

I was wondering if switching to 2.2 in the front will help a bit more with traction in the turns.

Thanks!

[CPATCRASH]

In a word, yes. Lower the air pressure a bit as well.

[Dial Tone]

Is there really a big difference between 2.1 and 2.2? My GF Hi-Fi comes with 2.2's and I was thinking of narrowing it down to 2.1. 2.2 tires arent a common size and I wanted tires that have good all around traction. The stock Bontrager Jones seem to be wearing fast.

[northshore]

Experimenting with tires is the cheapest thing you can do. Follow CPATCRASH's advice first by dropping the air pressure a few lbs at a time (FREE). Think about what type of dirt you ride. Not all 2.2-2.3 tread will be for that type of dirt. IE: fast rolling versus deep treads that roll as fast.

[autoduel]

There are really no common sizes. Every manufacturer measures the width differently. One 2.1 could be the same as another's 2.3 in width and air volume.
Speaking of air volume, that is another advantage of larger tires. You can run less pressure and have even bigger contact patch without risk of pinch flatting. Panaracers tend to run on the narrow side of tire sizes and smaller volumes. Tread pattern also makes as much difference in traction if not more than the width. There are plenty newer tread patterns that work better than the smoke/dart combo. Give those a try.

[RS VR6]

IIRC...I'm running around 37psi in the front and rear. I'll drop it a couple and see what happens.

thanks!

[project_d]

Changing to a larger tire might work. A crummy tire is a crummy tire. Lowering the air pressure may help you out, but that depends on the terrain. You might just want to get a tire that is better suited to your riding style and the terrain. Where are you riding? What type of terrain is it?

[RS VR6]

Alot up in the Mulholland area up Reseda...Chesboro...Simi. Its dry and dusty.

[DirtymikeTDB]

Originally Posted by RS VR6

I'm running the Panaracer Smoke and Dart setup. Both 2.1. The front feels real skid-ish in the turns on the loose dirt up around the Mulholland trails.

I was wondering if switching to 2.2 in the front will help a bit more with traction in the turns.

Thanks!

Hope this helps, I run a Sp ED Chunder 2.5 in the front at 30 psi, and a Maxxis DHR minion 2.5 rear at 40 PSI.

Not all bigger tyres will give you better traction, trick is to match the tyre with the terrain your riding in.

[project_d]

Originally Posted by RS VR6

Alot up in the Mulholland area up Reseda...Chesboro...Simi. Its dry and dusty.

If that's the case, and it were me, I would change to a new tire, but keep the same size. The Kenda Nevegal 2.1 should hook up real well in those conditions. Good combo of how the center knobs and the side knobs are designed. Should do the trick.

[Winger]

Originally Posted by Dial Tone

Is there really a big difference between 2.1 and 2.2? My GF Hi-Fi comes with 2.2's and I was thinking of narrowing it down to 2.1. 2.2 tires arent a common size and I wanted tires that have good all around traction. The stock Bontrager Jones seem to be wearing fast.

Bongrager Jones came on my Trek 4900. I can't tell you how much of a difference it makes to get new tires.

Bontrager Jones AC tires came on my Trek Fuel EX8. I gave them 2 rides and also decided they were crap. The front wouldn't hold a line. The rear was OK, I guess.

I'm personally happy with the Smoke/Dart combo; mostly because you can get them @ performance for $14 each after coupons & sales. I doubt that a $30 or $50 tire would bring me any more joy. I tend to run high pressures.

The Smoke rear lasts me between 500 and 700 miles, which means I go through 4 or 5 every year.

The Dart front lasts maybe 1000 miles.

[Dial Tone]

Sorry RS if I have stepped on your post...

I have been thinking of going 'smaller' to 2.1's, particularly the Smoke and Dart combo or going WTB. I have read the thread on the tire review but I didnt quite find what I was looking for.

I wanted tires that were good for almost all around use (say Fullerton or Turnbull or Peters), not much rolling resistance/increased weight and not lose the aggressive XC-ness of my bike.

If Autoduel is correct with the 'one guys 2.1 is anothers 2.3' then its safe to go from a Bonty 2.2 to Panaracer or WTB 2.1's?

[autoduel]

Personally I run a 2.1 Maxxis Ignitor front and crossmark rear on my hardtail.
Crossmark rolls well and with good climbing technique has no problems hooking up. The Ignitor is a bit more aggressive tread that hooks up well in the corners. For a little more volume, I use Specilized Resolutions up front on my AM bike, but still run a crossmark rear. Specialized tires tend to run on the big side, but are also light weight.
If you haven't, check out the tire review thread. http://www.socaltrailriders.org/foru...ew-thread.html

[RS VR6]

Originally Posted by Winger

Bongrager Jones came on my Trek 4900. I can't tell you how much of a difference it makes to get new tires.

Bontrager Jones AC tires came on my Trek Fuel EX8. I gave them 2 rides and also decided they were crap. The front wouldn't hold a line. The rear was OK, I guess.

I'm personally happy with the Smoke/Dart combo; mostly because you can get them @ performance for $14 each after coupons & sales. I doubt that a $30 or $50 tire would bring me any more joy. I tend to run high pressures.

The Smoke rear lasts me between 500 and 700 miles, which means I go through 4 or 5 every year.

The Dart front lasts maybe 1000 miles.

Lol...I didn't think anybody else ran these tires.

I got them at Performance when they were on sale a few months back for 15 each.

I'm going to play with the air pressures mentioned to me earlier and see what happens...

[pmortuary]

2.0 vs. 2.1 vs. 2.2 In reality these numbers don't mean alot. Look close at some of the more common or expensize tires and you'll notice that the also list the size in millimeters. I.E. Hutchinson Pythons are listed as 2.0 and 52 millis whereas a nevegal 1.95 is 50 millis. Sometimes a 2.0 and 2.1 can be the same size. I would guess the same is true for 2.2.