29er Tire Combos/Recommendations
- Thread starter BrewMaster
- Start date
How much do you weigh if you don't mind my asking. I run 19 psi but at 135lbs i was thinking of going lower...
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bvader
Long Live The Gorn!
me I'm 180 25 wasn't low enough
At my weight plus a 10 pound pack it's a lot more force in the corners than 135 pounds
At my weight plus a 10 pound pack it's a lot more force in the corners than 135 pounds
trailninja
Going Slideways!!!!
What's the benefit of running <20 psi? I'm only running 26 /28 on all my bikes tubeless.
mtnbikej
Well-Known Member
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I'm running the ITS 29, that tire at 26-28 feels..stout, little flex.. I am dropping then ever so slightly to find the happy place.
bvader
Long Live The Gorn!
Its all about finding the happy place...
That happy place is different for everybody (weight) ... and every tire...and every style
bvader
Long Live The Gorn!
No offense ....but what the hell were you thinking!.... gald you changed that out before you lost any skin...
I used to use as a rear on a fast SS... but front...man...bad idea man in DRY SoCal!
jeffj
Bloated Mountain B'hiker
Yea, Fast Traks are a little scary if you push the envelope. Captains were a little better, but not that great either.
Bontrager 29-3 (now called the XR3) are a surprisingly good tire both front and rear for me. Not to be confused with the older tread pattern 29-3. Didn't much care for those. Very stable, durable, forgiving, and predictable.
The 2.1" Ground Control rear and 2.3" Prugatory up front is a tough to beat combo for all around SoCal riding.
Tried some Kenda Honey Badgers last summer that were pretty decent too.
Tires I didn't care for: 29" Nobby Nic - the soft and tall side knobs squirmed around under my hulking girth on hardpack, and were really weird when off camber. They were somewhat forgiving and gave some warning, but not my C.O.T. Probably pretty good when the trail get some moisture, but so are lots of tires. The Bronson was similar for me too.
Bontrager 29-3 (now called the XR3) are a surprisingly good tire both front and rear for me. Not to be confused with the older tread pattern 29-3. Didn't much care for those. Very stable, durable, forgiving, and predictable.
The 2.1" Ground Control rear and 2.3" Prugatory up front is a tough to beat combo for all around SoCal riding.
Tried some Kenda Honey Badgers last summer that were pretty decent too.
Tires I didn't care for: 29" Nobby Nic - the soft and tall side knobs squirmed around under my hulking girth on hardpack, and were really weird when off camber. They were somewhat forgiving and gave some warning, but not my C.O.T. Probably pretty good when the trail get some moisture, but so are lots of tires. The Bronson was similar for me too.
LOL! Yea someone suggested I give it a try...bad move
Im not sure if its right or advisable to do this but I would run full on into the curb to test tire pressure. If I feel anything remotely like a rim strike I up the air pressure. Do you guys think its a good test? If it werent for this method Id be running sub 19 front and sub 22 rear. Haha
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Ahh gotcha. Interesting. Ill need to reassess how I find my optimal air pressure.
Thanks!
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strobe
resident noob
Very well said. That sums up the "happy place" air pressure discussion.
The curb test, it's a great way to break stuff without getting any useful information. I think someone posted that as a joke once, and people took it literally.
That's right up there with the "drop" test for rear suspension.
Oh geee I dont know wether to consider my self a genius for coming up with this method ALL BY MYSELF or and idiot for actually executing it! LOL
Luckily I have yet to damage anything to my knowledge. Granted the curbs at my complex aren't quite road side 5-6 inch curbs.
Glad someone mentioned it before I really broke something. Thanks Yamadan!
Luckily I have yet to damage anything to my knowledge. Granted the curbs at my complex aren't quite road side 5-6 inch curbs.
Glad someone mentioned it before I really broke something. Thanks Yamadan!
bvader
Long Live The Gorn!
^^ Well could be me out there with the tire I just modded face pressed to concrete .... looking at the angle of bike lean and making sure I will actually have nobs on the ground... guess I will find out tomorrow 
Yeah .. Yeah could have taken the wheel off etcc but with attached to the bike I get better sense of angle...
Yeah .. Yeah could have taken the wheel off etcc but with attached to the bike I get better sense of angle...
bvader
Long Live The Gorn!
Well I rode 40 miles on the tire... result...undetermined / meh maybe minor improvement in the loose.
At first I was "over-analyzing" on the MD divide purposely trying to find the break point (yeah kinda dangerous) found it a few times, lowered the pressure and rode the rest of the ride maybe at 23 lbs. Did fine on Motorway...and descending Maple Springs which can be fun in the right conditions, but pretty much fully blows on the Hardtail right now. In those loose corners I would say I was not overly confident on the tire. Although I wouldn't say there was a big "missing gap" in the transition into turns etc and I did feel on occasion I was getting better bite, but that may have been jsut the lower pressure. But it was NOT noticeably worse NOR noticeably better. So not sure if the cut help or lower pressure it was a bit better but not night and day.
I rode my other bike with my Nobby Nic on it at 25 lbs and felt way more confident, but conditions at OAKs was better and FS keeps the wheels better grounded.
I am debating whether I should bother spending more time on it or just move on.
I think I am open to letting someone else try franken-this tire (as soon as i get a replacement) if interested in experimenting...no strings attached other than no liability on my part of you end up doing dirt inspection.
"C'est la vie"
At first I was "over-analyzing" on the MD divide purposely trying to find the break point (yeah kinda dangerous) found it a few times, lowered the pressure and rode the rest of the ride maybe at 23 lbs. Did fine on Motorway...and descending Maple Springs which can be fun in the right conditions, but pretty much fully blows on the Hardtail right now. In those loose corners I would say I was not overly confident on the tire. Although I wouldn't say there was a big "missing gap" in the transition into turns etc and I did feel on occasion I was getting better bite, but that may have been jsut the lower pressure. But it was NOT noticeably worse NOR noticeably better. So not sure if the cut help or lower pressure it was a bit better but not night and day.
I rode my other bike with my Nobby Nic on it at 25 lbs and felt way more confident, but conditions at OAKs was better and FS keeps the wheels better grounded.
I am debating whether I should bother spending more time on it or just move on.
I think I am open to letting someone else try franken-this tire (as soon as i get a replacement) if interested in experimenting...no strings attached other than no liability on my part of you end up doing dirt inspection.
"C'est la vie"
On another note : Got carried away and Did a Mod on my 29er HD... clipped the Trans Nobs the sets of outer 4 trans nobs... created a little more channel for the loose pack. Loved my 26 HD some reason struggling a bit with the 29... little loose..maybe pressure... but what the heck give it a whirl. Clipped one wrong nob... oops
TranceRider
No, I don't Ride a GIANT
Not happy with Maxxis Cross Mark for front tire
I participated in the US Cup race at Fontana over the weekend and had a great time. They shortened the course so we ended up doing 4 laps (Cat 2).
During the race I continued to have front tire wash-out/slipping problems. One of which resulted in me falling and messing up my left leg, shoulder and wrist. Other times I almost ate it but was able to stay on the bike. It's gotten to the point where I don't trust my bike to handle well on the turns - especially the sandier downhill sections. It's not a good place to be where one doesn't trust the bike on turns - have to go much slower than I'd like. I had the same issues on the muddy trails at Vail Lake. #-o
I checked out the reviews of the Maxxis Cross Mark and one of them nails my issue on the head: "Personally i hate these tires because as soon as a want to do tech stuff down or uphill they slip and slide everywhere! "
I've tried to lower the air pressure to 25 psi (tubeless), but at 195 lbs I know I'm pushing the limits. Any recommendations for a tubeless tire that's capable of better cornering grip? Thanks in advance!
I participated in the US Cup race at Fontana over the weekend and had a great time. They shortened the course so we ended up doing 4 laps (Cat 2).
During the race I continued to have front tire wash-out/slipping problems. One of which resulted in me falling and messing up my left leg, shoulder and wrist. Other times I almost ate it but was able to stay on the bike. It's gotten to the point where I don't trust my bike to handle well on the turns - especially the sandier downhill sections. It's not a good place to be where one doesn't trust the bike on turns - have to go much slower than I'd like. I had the same issues on the muddy trails at Vail Lake. #-o
I checked out the reviews of the Maxxis Cross Mark and one of them nails my issue on the head: "Personally i hate these tires because as soon as a want to do tech stuff down or uphill they slip and slide everywhere! "
I've tried to lower the air pressure to 25 psi (tubeless), but at 195 lbs I know I'm pushing the limits. Any recommendations for a tubeless tire that's capable of better cornering grip? Thanks in advance!