Hi, I just got to say I applaud your tech take on tyres and enjoyed the video very much. (I don't have any mtb experience except for my recently bought bike: "cube stereo hybrid 120 race 2019" which has 29" wheels (tubeless) and some 20 years back when I briefly owned a MTB that got nicked too soon). But the wheel size I ride now felt right from the start. I have ridden it on my local tracks for 2500+km now in the last half year, and I'm getting more and more into it. Even when the pandemic creates this minigame on how to eloquently surpass my newfound fellow members off "the pursuit of forest enlightenment", I still manage to ring my freshly installed (but still very stealthy) bell and drive past them at the distance required to not catch that dreadfull virus that threatens the very core this mockery of humanity stands for. In short: keep on doing what you do best and I will enjoy and like it. PS: I like 29" ers best. Stay safe! Sean Jones.
2.8 and 2.6 are awesome for dry and rocky conditions, less than 2.6 are awesome for muddy conditions. Honestly I use 2.8 all year round and adapt my riding. I still love them, still no punctures, and I ride aggressive downhill, so I think it comes down to my wheight (65kilos) and running tire inserts. Riding smooth (because I rode hardtails for years). I only miss the thinner tires in the mud. But it does add an element of fun and unpredictability when skidding and losing traction. 27+ for life babyyyy
These are amazing tyres. I’m not a pro by any means but have had many mtbs over the years. On a trek powerfly 9 they are amazing. They give you a real feeling of confidence on a heavy bike. Will never go back to skinny tyres. Speed doesn’t matter to me and I suspect most riders over 50 years old, or in fact over 40. Thanks for a great video.
Like we can afford new Ebikes every 3rd season....I'm riding.a 27.5 plus cos I read the reviews telling me that it's the dogs nuts ..well it was it is..and I swear.. if it comes to the tyres leaving the shops. I'll hunt them down..... haibikes arnt cheap. Words are cheap too. Reviewers should hold tongue sometimes
@@danilotavares77 ha ha...if you wait another 10mins it'll be different every time.....last word ..2018 haibike nduro xduro 7 Yamaha... derestricted...plus tyres extra battery....46 pounds for 180ml.... Very respectful......if you can find one. No 1 sells em...52 pounds now
I didn't know 27.5 had gone anywhere. I still run 2.8 on my e bike and it's awesome. I do run narrower tyres and wheels if I'm riding mellow trails though.
Seriously I have lost track of all these tire sizes, hub sizes and still riding my 26" and amazingly the bike still rides awesome on the local trails which has not been changed in 30 years
God bless 26inch wheels.... right on. I love my plus size wheels but it enrages me listening to are 27 plus tyres dead....2 years after buying one on the same guys word...he's sponsored so go figure....I love it but .wow..... WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE SPONSOR A MTB LIVING LOVING MAN ..just for wheels n tyres ...I'm poorly with cancer and I'm being taken advantage of by receivers who get free bikes and will say anything to anyone who will listen
Well yeah it is. Ha ha . Joke is on the guys that ride and need advice. . to be told buy this ...oh no buy that 1...no go this way.. . I still ride a muddy fox on panaracers from 89. It's a laugh. Funnier than the reviews telling us to change wheels and frames every year...which plannet do the hey live on. ...fachists
Yea I've still got a rochopper fsr n a 2007 stumpy that I still ride. My stumpy will pump out 8 more miles in the same time as my big tyre 29er 3nduro bike and I won't be knackered when I get home. 26ers still hold up
I'm confused. Everyone I talk to (in the USA, at least), says that the tires were short lived... but Trek Roscoe and Specialized Fuse and Giant Fathom 2 never stopped making this size and are all very popular in my area. Anyone else?
I'm on 2.6 magic Mary's on an XL 27,5 plus haibike nduro xduro7 2018.not sure if the frame is any bigger but it says 27.5plus on the frame..they feel just great. I'm first into a plus size bike .my genius 26 snapped so. I thought I'd meet it halfway to 27.5...im thinking of going bigger?...the wet is eating into my grip ... always predictive in the dry but not so much in wet....any ideas?
I have a hardtail that uses 27.5+ tires, they are 2.8 '' wide. The bike is from 2018 and the only thing i would change about it is the fork. It has a 120mm coil fork. I would love to swap it out for a airfork, but i cant really complain for 400$.
Hey enjoyed all the detail you went into on the vid! My thoughts, owning a 27.5 plus 2018 stumpjumper, and 29+ Jones LWB, are that plus tires really weren't given their fair shake before the marketing gurus turned towards pushing 29. There was an element of ego involved as well - a prevailing sentiment that plus was for giving beginners more confidence. Add to this the fact that UK journalists don't ride a lot of sandy trails where plus tires shine brightest, but they do ride UK poopie mud where skinnier mud tires shine... One other thing, rim width makes a huge difference in how low tire pressure can go without squirm, a 45mm internal width rim allows you to take that micro-suspension to macro levels without squirm.
2.6" tires used to be called plus sizes but now are regular 27.5 tires since "wide trail tires" like 2.5 have almost become normal spec'd on most stock enduro bikes.
I run 2.8 Michelin E Wilds front & rear on my Giant Trance E1 Pro. Stock tyres were 2.6 Maxxis Rekon (rear) & DHF (front). The main issue was braking performance of the Rekon! The bike feels amazing now even on loose over hardack. Great point regarding trails you know Steve! I think my + tyres help enormously when I regularly run out of talent on unfamiliar trails..... 😃
I was glad that a Michelin developed a tyre specific for E-mtb's. My Cube reaction Hybrid had 650B Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.6 tyres on delivery but the Michelin E-Wild 2.6 are so much better and stiffer and could hold better grip on steep climbs and corners. To me it seems that Michelin has done its homework and realised that E-mtb's are different beasts wich have more load on the rear wheel that has to be mastered on different terrains to. Using a mix of different compounds do play a big role here as it also runs smoother on the road.
I bought my Turbo Levo FSR 6Fattie new in 2016 and one of the influencing factors was the Purgatory 3.0" tyres on the Roval Traverse 650b rims. It's the best bike I've ever ridden and it still delivers. I came to my Levo from a 29er Carbon Stumpjumper and I have subsequently had a weekend test of a 2019 spec. Turbo Levo running with the latest 29er wheel set. I can safely say that for the type of moderate riding that I undertake the 3.0" plus size tyres are just about perfect. One of my regular rides includes a long downhill gravel track and the tyres give me all the grip I need, especially now that the trails have finally dried out. There is just something that does it for me with the plus size tyres, although this may have something to do with my days riding motorcycles! Great video and keep them coming.
I still ride the plus size. I love them. What I like is they handle really well in soft, loose or muddy areas. I can play around with the air pressure more for seasonal adaptation. However, with a stronger gyro, they do not corner well but it’s only slightly.
I went with a Maxxis 29X 3.0 with my front wheel on my Turbo Levo Expert. The wheel diameter went to 31" for an outrageously improved angle of attack over rocks and roots, not to mention the added cushion larger volume tires create. I'm running a Maxxis 29 X 2.5 on the rear.
I went from 29" 2.2 tires to 27.5 x 3.0 on a different bike three years ago. The increase in traction is amazing. I crash significantly less. I have way more confidence in my front wheel lateral traction. I love them.
My 2020 Trek Roscoe 7 came standard with 2.8 inch tires and for a hardtail it’s a brilliant move. With 120mm of travel, the plus size really adds a plush feel to the bike 🤙🤙
I seem to recall that one of the reasons for the slow adoption of 29” tyres for downhill and enduro was the availability of wider hubs, in order to be able to build a wheel of comparable strength as 27.5”, while still maintaining crank and chainstay clearance.
27.5+ is still a massive thing on hardtail a the last time I checked, with more and more becoming available or having the spacing for them, e.g. Trek Roscoe range
Yep. I have a 2019 Roscoe 8 with 2.8" Rekon+ on it - they're fantastic. Shame there's just not that much variety on the market for 2.8" tyres. I'd love to put a new Maxxis Dissector on the rear but they won't commit to making more sizes of that - so when time comes to upgrade I'll be probably going to the Minion DHF / DHR combo.
I'm a trail rider because of where I ride; you have to ride up to come down. So I make the most of the climbs as well. One aspect that is rarely mentioned with wider tyres, is that they require more effort. Not really an issue for ebikes, but I always go with the worst case scenario, and try not to depend on always having the electric assist.
I love the grip of a 2.8 minion tire. It's true that they feel less precise however the positives outweigh the minor down side. They are also really versatile... fantastic in both the dry, the wet, and the snow... especially on an emtb. Its good to see a lot of bikes moving to a mullet setup... keeping that far grippy tire on the back.
I have 2.8+ Maxxis on my Whyte 905 V2 and they work great for me. Not sure I would want them on a full suss bike but for a hardtail I think they are spot on👌
Just saw your cat. Reminds me of the old joke: Why did they start using Catseyes as reflectors on bikes? Because if they used cats arses they need twice as many cats. I have a beach exploring Ebike 3x27.5 front 4.8x26 rear. Deep loose sand but still steers in rocks
I bought a new Stumpjumer ST because the frame allows for high volume 29 inch tires. The change from 2.3 Butcher to 2.6+ Kennebec was amazing. I have not noticed any negative characteristic, but huge improvements. By the way, if you are looking for a high volume 2.6 wide tire that actually measures 2.6, I recommend to try the Terevail Kennebec 29er.
I built a Salsa Blackthorn about 18 months ago and I've been riding three different wheel and tire setups on it. Most recently I added a set of Renyolds 27.5 x 45mm carbon wheels with i9 Hydra hubs and a pair of Specialized Ground Control 27.5 x 3.0 tires. The other two wheelsets are both DT Swiss, 29 x 35mm with 2.6 Maxxis Rekon tires, and a 27.5 x 45mm with 2.8 Maxxis Rekon + tires. This is the first time I've ever ridden a 27.5 x 3.0 setup and it absolutely crushes everything I throw at it. I'm really confused about the demise of 27.5 x 3.0 as a viable wheel/tire option. As you might expect these tires are not particularly your friends on long paved hill climbs but I haven't found any situation off road where they didn't outperform the other two wheelsets. HANDS DOWN. And man are they comfortable over anything. I generally run around 25 PSI in the Ground Control T7s which is their max rated pressure. They're literally like fly paper on single track and technical descents in this part of the world. On technical climbs they're amazing. Tree roots, rocks, and washboard seem to vanish. Rumors of vague handling have not been substantiated. I think the wider rims help this greatly. My only complaint is that in 2024 there is a serious lack of high end and lightweight options to compare. The Ground Controls are a bit on the heavy side. One of the discontinued lightweight Schwalbe options would easily shed a pound or more of rotating weight off the bike. That would be transformative. Hopefully the 27.5 x 3.0 tire sees a rebirth. I found my unicorn tire size just as the remaining stock of decent tires is dwindling to nothing. I just hoarded a pile of tires and hope to continue riding this setup for a while.
I just bought a 27.5+ tire rigid mtb only because the 29+ model was out of budget. Was deciding between 4 27.5+ models, including the Salsa Timberjack & Kona Unit. Coming from a 29x2.1 tire I really like the tire size for babyheads & rutted dirt.
I just built a set of 27.5 Plus wheels with i45mm rims and 2.8" tires. I have a a couple 29er wheels with i30 and i35 rims and have 2.4 to 2.6" tires all the time. The downside of going wider and wider rims on a 29er with 2.6" tires, especially aggressive tread design and heavier tires is the slow to start and extra inertia needed to get up to speed. A 27.5 plus gives you many of the benefits but without the weight and "wagon wheel" feel. Just my opinion
Ive never seen a chopper bike on the mountain bike trails. Although Ive thought about the same with a 26x4 in the back because fat tire forks are ridiculously expensive, and not that good.
Just upgraded from a 3.0 to a 3.8 Minion FBR in the rear. I love the extra grip, but the tire barely fits and now I have a reverse mullet with a much bigger rear tire than the front. I was surprised at how much it changed the geometry.
@@derman3658 I had a lot of pressure in the rear at first and it made the handlebars feel low, plus the bottom bracket was higher, felt weird. I let out some air so I got a bit of squish and everything is now golden. I'm riding a mix of snow crust and mud, slow techie stuff, so far the setup is amazing. I'm thinking about going 29 in the front but I'm afraid my feet won't touch the ground cause the bb will be so high.
Still running 650b on my Stumpy & Turbo Levo. Would never change. The 27.5*2.80 gives me everything I need for the rooty rocky sometimes wet n sloppy trails I ride. Schwalbe Hans Dampf/magic Mary on my analogue bike & eddy currents on my e-mtb. Plus ain't dead yet
I find it interesting how little people understand tire choices. I've raced mountain bikes for a while. I've experimented with rims, tires, pressure, etc., forever. My conclusions: I find 29ers fine for rollover, 27.5 are great for agility, and mullets do everything better. Also, bigger tires on ebikes is not a concern like it might be on acoustic bikes. The bigger the tire the better. I've converted my new 2020 Trek Rail 9.7 to a mullet setup and I absolutely love it. I've now got 29x3.0 Bontrager XR4 up front, with 27.5x3.0 Schwalbe Nobby Nic in the rear. Both are mounted on 50mm Duroc rims. I run both at 17psi. The control I now have is light years ahead of the 29x2.6 I had before. Dont hate it before you try it.
I run 4" X 20" on my eBike 😅. I love my 27.5 FS MTB but 29ers are so smoothe. I tried a friend's 27.5plus and it felt INCREDIBLE but it was a super light Santa Cruz.... I would go as far as saying that most people riding around would benefit from 27.5plus but as someone else mentioned it is the industry that dictate. To sum up, don't get bogged down, just go ride 🤙
I'm living in Quebec city, I'm going to try two sets. One will be Michelin Ewild 2.6 and Michelin Wild enduro 2.8. I want to feel the difference of the gumX and the wear of the tire vs grip. I have a Rocky altitude A70 PP We still got snow in the trail here! But next week, it's mud powerplay! Really like your channel 👌
I’m a huge fan of Plus tyres. The grip is unbelievable, they’re poppy when needed, & offer great small bump butt relief. Rear suspensions don’t offer much comfort there for longer rides....
Running maxxis chronicles. 27.5x3. Awesome all around tire good for my all around hardtail when don't know where I'll end up. Trails, pavement, side of the road. It rolls forever.
Still run plus size tires on my hardtail and full suspension. Remember people, you need wide rims with at-least a 35mm internal to take advantage of the larger volume wheels otherwise there isn’t enough side wall support. Oh yeah, and run a slightly slower rebound than you would with normal tires 2-3 clicks...
I've got a Sonder transmitter, I run 2 sets of tyres depending on where/when. the WTB ranger 2.8 rear, 3.0 front or 2.8 front and rear Nobby's when I need grip for days. If a manufacturer releases a slack HT + ebike I'll be selling a kidney to buy it.
I have the YT decoy which comes with 27.5x2.8 rear and 29x2.5 front, lot of people complaining about the plus rear tyres and some actually gone down to 27.5x2.6 on both wheels. I have just replaced the rear tyre with Michelin e-wild rear and the grip seems to be unreal, I also have Vitoria air liner in the rear tyre which maybe helping with extra support on corners I don’t feel like its squeegee! I’m also happy with 29x2.5 maxis minion dhf. I think on ebike it definitely make sense to have wider tyres on the rear at least.
I swapped from 2.8 plus tires to 2.6 Assagai front and 2.6 Dissector rear tires, I honestly miss my bigger tires in most situations - especially in large rocks.
Converted my Levo 29er to 27.5 in the rear, with chip flipped. Worked well and fun, but I don't think it works quite as well as 29 all around, esp. for the rocky terrain here in Sydney. The geometry change just didn't quite work as well. possibly because I also extended the front travel to 160 (from 150 stock).
The only tire I have ever punctured was a 27.5 X 2.8. Maybe it was bad luck, but the long walk back to the car (twice) doesn't make me miss that size. I am happy with the 29 X 2.6 (which is less than 2.6) on the current Levo.
I liked + tires on my old bike, but the power loss pedaling them made me switch back to an efficient 29er...but now I have an Ebike, the + is back, traction, comfort and handling (in that order😉)
My 2021 Meta Power SX came stock with 27.5x2.4 Schwalbe tyres on it. They're alright but I have been riding 29x2.6" for the past 2.5 years on my Stumpjumper and 2.4" just looks tiny now. I find that the 2.6" tyre not only has more grip but also soaks up some of the small bumps to make the ride overall more comfortable. Luckily my Meta Power can handle a 2.6" so when these 2.4" tyres wear out I'll upgrade to 2.6" and then I can have a direct comparison between the two. One thing to note with the 2.6" tyres is that the "trail" casing that came on my bike was too weak and would squirm a lot when I was railing corners so I upgraded to a DH casing and it was perfect. I weigh 111kg with my riding gear and my XL Stumpjumper weighs 14.5 kg for a total of 125.5 kg. I run 22.5 psi front and 27.5 psi rear in 29x2.6" DH casing tyres. I havent tried every tyre combination available but so far, that is my perfect setup.
Depending on where I ride, the Maxxis Minions/Assegai 2.5 I use in loamy, hard pack or buffed trails. On dry, sandy, gravely and rocky trails, I prefer 2.8 size tires with lower psi and lightweight insert (Huck Norris).
I run 2.8 magic Mary’s on my e bike , I find with the extra weight of the bike it gives it amazing grip ! However my hardtail Marin Pine Mountain I have changed to a 29” 2.3 tyre on the front and still running a 3” tyre on the rear , this gives me good rear wheel grip whilst giving me better front end cornering grip ! Interesting video as I thought plus tyres were still a thing !
Have been running the 27.5x2.8 tyres on my Powerfly FS7 down around 20 PSI for some time in a search for grip on our local loose gravelly and dusty corners over summer. Never even look like pinching the tubes. Just pushed them back up to 35 to see if they'd run a bit faster. They do, but man have they lost that smoothness you get from a big soft tyre. Also tend to feel a lot more sketchy on the loose gravel. Think I'll be dropping them back down again soon.
I loved my plus 27.5 2.8s and 3.0's until I started getting petal strikes. Unfortunately the bike reviews never mentioned that it would drop my bottom bracket way too low with this tire size. So my frame that was designed for 29 inch wheels being sold with this tire size was really just a gimmick. So I think, the reason plus tires disappeared was because not enough bike manufacturers ever really designed bikes specifically for them.
I ride 27.5x2.8 on my Norco Fluid. Stock they are tubed, but added some tape and they set up tubeless no problem. I run them 25psi in the front and back. That seems to work but am open to suggestions!
I went from 32c to to 2.8" all mountain bike and I enjoy it very much. The only think that the 2.8 are heavy and slow but I'm going to buy light and fast rolling plus tires
29x2,4 Eddy Current Front, 27,5x2,8 Eddy Current rear w Cushcore both on Fortus 35 on Kenevo w. V4 Vented.Park and Trail Tank, often on long Alpine Descents and Finale.
Results are only as good as the tests. Good coverage on the plus size stuff. Addendum here though - when considering geo change, you need to focus on the radius difference of the wheels and the pressure you're running them at as you need to look at the system under load.
I decided to change the amortised 29er wheels to 27,5+ wheels on my Stumpy. I am curious, how big is the difference. My assumptions: cornering and jumping will be easier and more fun. I am not sure about uphills. Climbing with 29er tires is not easy, but the rear shock gave me a lot of traction to climb ridiculous-looking terrain. Wider tires might bite even more. Ed: I was looking for second hand rear wheel for almost a month in my area. Sram XD, 30+ mm width and rear-only wheel (without front wheel) were harsh requirements.
29x3.0 DHF and 27.5x2.8 DHRII . Ride at 13 and 17 psi. Great for roots and sugar sand. I have been riding wide tires before they were a thing, and now they are no longer a thing and I am still riding them. I live in Flat florida where the park managers like to make stupid rock gardens, otherwise we have short rooty climbs and sugar sand everywhere. It sucks to ride in Florida, but it's great to train for Georgia. I fill them with water to get strong.
When you are recommending tire pressure, is there a difference between tubed and tubeless pressures? Is one more than the other? I run 27.5 x 2.8 here in Central NY, USA and I love the combination in the mostly loamy, muddy trails.
I plan on buying a 2020 Specialized Fuse with some 27.5 x 2.8s on it. I want a hardtail but previously broke my back in a motorcycle crash im all about the extra cush.
What was wrong with 26 inch rims in the first place? When I was into MTBS back from 1995 to 2005 there was only 26 inch rims and everyone was fine about it
a wider tire will squirm less at a given pressure, so there's definitely a logic to running them a bit softer. I think it's always just going to be about balancing it for the kind of riding you're doing, keeping in mind that you'll probably want to drop a couple PSI on a 2.8, compared to a 2.3
Hi Steve great video as always looking at changing my front tire on new 2019 Focus jam Both Front and back tires are maxxis rekon . 2.8 , totally get the plus size tires although I do think the front tire needs to changed to some a little aggressive for trail/enduro style riding What’s your thoughts and recommendations?
What do you think is the perfect tyre size for your riding style? Let us know 👇
I’m still liking my Standard 27.5 although some day I plan on going for almost a plus like 27.5x 2.4 I feel like there to me more agile than my 29r’s!
Hi,
I just got to say I applaud your tech take on tyres and enjoyed the video very much. (I don't have any mtb experience except for my recently bought bike: "cube stereo hybrid 120 race 2019" which has 29" wheels (tubeless) and some 20 years back when I briefly owned a MTB that got nicked too soon).
But the wheel size I ride now felt right from the start. I have ridden it on my local tracks for 2500+km now in the last half year, and I'm getting more and more into it. Even when the pandemic creates this minigame on how to eloquently surpass my newfound fellow members off "the pursuit of forest enlightenment", I still manage to ring my freshly installed (but still very stealthy) bell and drive past them at the distance required to not catch that dreadfull virus that threatens the very core this mockery of humanity stands for.
In short: keep on doing what you do best and I will enjoy and like it.
PS: I like 29" ers best.
Stay safe!
Sean Jones.
2.5 29" Maxxis Shorty's on 30mm I.D. rim with cushcore inserts at 17psi
2.8 and 2.6 are awesome for dry and rocky conditions, less than 2.6 are awesome for muddy conditions. Honestly I use 2.8 all year round and adapt my riding. I still love them, still no punctures, and I ride aggressive downhill, so I think it comes down to my wheight (65kilos) and running tire inserts. Riding smooth (because I rode hardtails for years). I only miss the thinner tires in the mud. But it does add an element of fun and unpredictability when skidding and losing traction. 27+ for life babyyyy
27.5 x 2.6 Minions
These are amazing tyres. I’m not a pro by any means but have had many mtbs over the years. On a trek powerfly 9 they are amazing. They give you a real feeling of confidence on a heavy bike. Will never go back to skinny tyres. Speed doesn’t matter to me and I suspect most riders over 50 years old, or in fact over 40. Thanks for a great video.
Funny thing is they've still been proven to be faster than their skinnier counterparts time and time again.
Getting my dad (48) back into mountain biking after 17 years and strongly recommending 27.5+ for him. Good to hear that my logic was correct.
I'm using 27.5 x 2.8's on an ebike and they are awesome. Very comfortable and great grip.
I'm still running 2.8's on my ebike and love it :)
I´m finding a new bike. Which bike do you use?
Danilo Tavares i have had quite a few go’s on a kona remote 160 with 2.8 magic marys fromt and rear, great grip but does lower the range a little
Like we can afford new Ebikes every 3rd season....I'm riding.a 27.5 plus cos I read the reviews telling me that it's the dogs nuts ..well it was it is..and I swear.. if it comes to the tyres leaving the shops. I'll hunt them down..... haibikes arnt cheap. Words are cheap too. Reviewers should hold tongue sometimes
@@danilotavares77 ha ha...if you wait another 10mins it'll be different every time.....last word ..2018 haibike nduro xduro 7 Yamaha... derestricted...plus tyres extra battery....46 pounds for 180ml.... Very respectful......if you can find one. No 1 sells em...52 pounds now
I didn't know 27.5 had gone anywhere. I still run 2.8 on my e bike and it's awesome. I do run narrower tyres and wheels if I'm riding mellow trails though.
Seriously I have lost track of all these tire sizes, hub sizes and still riding my 26" and amazingly the bike still rides awesome on the local trails which has not been changed in 30 years
God bless 26inch wheels.... right on. I love my plus size wheels but it enrages me listening to are 27 plus tyres dead....2 years after buying one on the same guys word...he's sponsored so go figure....I love it but .wow..... WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE SPONSOR A MTB LIVING LOVING MAN ..just for wheels n tyres ...I'm poorly with cancer and I'm being taken advantage of by receivers who get free bikes and will say anything to anyone who will listen
It's not even funny anymore
Well yeah it is. Ha ha . Joke is on the guys that ride and need advice. . to be told buy this ...oh no buy that 1...no go this way.. . I still ride a muddy fox on panaracers from 89. It's a laugh. Funnier than the reviews telling us to change wheels and frames every year...which plannet do the hey live on. ...fachists
Yea I've still got a rochopper fsr n a 2007 stumpy that I still ride. My stumpy will pump out 8 more miles in the same time as my big tyre 29er 3nduro bike and I won't be knackered when I get home. 26ers still hold up
Love my 2.8s , didn't think I would. Took a bit of getting used to but now that I am, wouldn't change them.
Still running 2.8s on my Trek Powerfly across the pond. Love the grip and comfort!
I'm confused. Everyone I talk to (in the USA, at least), says that the tires were short lived... but Trek Roscoe and Specialized Fuse and Giant Fathom 2 never stopped making this size and are all very popular in my area. Anyone else?
None of them are plus anymore. They’re all 29
27.5+ is more common on hard-tails. but those are all 29er now
Nothing happened to + size tyres....currently rocking a 2.8 Eddy current on the front , and a 2.6 magic Mary on the rear ....grip for days
Yorkshire eMTB love my eddies
yep love my +tires
Are you a zombie?
I'm on 2.6 magic Mary's on an XL 27,5 plus haibike nduro xduro7 2018.not sure if the frame is any bigger but it says 27.5plus on the frame..they feel just great. I'm first into a plus size bike .my genius 26 snapped so. I thought I'd meet it halfway to 27.5...im thinking of going bigger?...the wet is eating into my grip ... always predictive in the dry but not so much in wet....any ideas?
@@Calvin_Wright you can recommend Eddie's for the wet?
26inch. My two xc tyres and tubes are 900 gram. It's a great time to be a 26 er. Lots of good cheap 26 wheels, forks and frames around.
26 is caveman compared to a 29. That's why. The stuff you can roll over is pretty crazy
I have a hardtail that uses 27.5+ tires, they are 2.8 '' wide. The bike is from 2018 and the only thing i would change about it is the fork. It has a 120mm coil fork. I would love to swap it out for a airfork, but i cant really complain for 400$.
Hey enjoyed all the detail you went into on the vid! My thoughts, owning a 27.5 plus 2018 stumpjumper, and 29+ Jones LWB, are that plus tires really weren't given their fair shake before the marketing gurus turned towards pushing 29. There was an element of ego involved as well - a prevailing sentiment that plus was for giving beginners more confidence. Add to this the fact that UK journalists don't ride a lot of sandy trails where plus tires shine brightest, but they do ride UK poopie mud where skinnier mud tires shine... One other thing, rim width makes a huge difference in how low tire pressure can go without squirm, a 45mm internal width rim allows you to take that micro-suspension to macro levels without squirm.
2.6" tires used to be called plus sizes but now are regular 27.5 tires since "wide trail tires" like 2.5 have almost become normal spec'd on most stock enduro bikes.
And 2.6 actually measure 2.5 with most tires.
@@derektaylor2845 An important exception is Teravail Tires, their width is very true to size. A 2.5 Ehline dwarfs my 2.6 Rekon.
I run 2.8 Michelin E Wilds front & rear on my Giant Trance E1 Pro. Stock tyres were 2.6 Maxxis Rekon (rear) & DHF (front). The main issue was braking performance of the Rekon! The bike feels amazing now even on loose over hardack. Great point regarding trails you know Steve! I think my + tyres help enormously when I regularly run out of talent on unfamiliar trails..... 😃
I was glad that a Michelin developed a tyre specific for E-mtb's. My Cube reaction Hybrid had 650B Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.6 tyres on delivery but the Michelin E-Wild 2.6 are so much better and stiffer and could hold better grip on steep climbs and corners. To me it seems that Michelin has done its homework and realised that E-mtb's are different beasts wich have more load on the rear wheel that has to be mastered on different terrains to. Using a mix of different compounds do play a big role here as it also runs smoother on the road.
do not forget to divide the displayed wheel height by 2. Measurements must be made when the wheel centers are on the same axle.
So you are saying the change between the 29 and 27.5+ is half what is shown in the video?
I bought my Turbo Levo FSR 6Fattie new in 2016 and one of the influencing factors was the Purgatory 3.0" tyres on the Roval Traverse 650b rims. It's the best bike I've ever ridden and it still delivers. I came to my Levo from a 29er Carbon Stumpjumper and I have subsequently had a weekend test of a 2019 spec. Turbo Levo running with the latest 29er wheel set. I can safely say that for the type of moderate riding that I undertake the 3.0" plus size tyres are just about perfect. One of my regular rides includes a long downhill gravel track and the tyres give me all the grip I need, especially now that the trails have finally dried out. There is just something that does it for me with the plus size tyres, although this may have something to do with my days riding motorcycles! Great video and keep them coming.
I still ride the plus size. I love them. What I like is they handle really well in soft, loose or muddy areas. I can play around with the air pressure more for seasonal adaptation. However, with a stronger gyro, they do not corner well but it’s only slightly.
Today has lots of 29ers 2.6 tires. Many brands are sellinng their bikes with these tires ..... and i love it.
I went with a Maxxis 29X 3.0 with my front wheel on my Turbo Levo Expert. The wheel diameter went to 31" for an outrageously improved angle of attack over rocks and roots, not to mention the added cushion larger volume tires create. I'm running a Maxxis 29 X 2.5 on the rear.
Still ridning my 2016 Scott Genius 720 LT+ and loving it! + size rules!
I went from 29" 2.2 tires to 27.5 x 3.0 on a different bike three years ago.
The increase in traction is amazing. I crash significantly less. I have way more confidence in my front wheel lateral traction. I love them.
My 2020 Trek Roscoe 7 came standard with 2.8 inch tires and for a hardtail it’s a brilliant move. With 120mm of travel, the plus size really adds a plush feel to the bike 🤙🤙
I seem to recall that one of the reasons for the slow adoption of 29” tyres for downhill and enduro was the availability of wider hubs, in order to be able to build a wheel of comparable strength as 27.5”, while still maintaining crank and chainstay clearance.
I have 27.5+ tires on my Giant trance E+ SX 0 pro and absolutely love em!
27.5+ is still a massive thing on hardtail a the last time I checked, with more and more becoming available or having the spacing for them, e.g. Trek Roscoe range
Yep. I have a 2019 Roscoe 8 with 2.8" Rekon+ on it - they're fantastic. Shame there's just not that much variety on the market for 2.8" tyres. I'd love to put a new Maxxis Dissector on the rear but they won't commit to making more sizes of that - so when time comes to upgrade I'll be probably going to the Minion DHF / DHR combo.
Totally agree, my Trek Roscoe 8 is the first bike I had on 27.5+ tires and it’s simply great!
I just recently bought an old 2017 Scott genius 720 plus, it has plus size tyres and loving it, also its can fit a 29er wheel
I absolutely agree the industry left 27.5 Plus too soon! I hope it comes back because it is by far the best size I have ever ridden!
Closing in on 7000km on my Rocky Mountain 2018 Pipeline. So many KOM and endless fun on all types of trails. 2.8s are simply amazing.
I'm a trail rider because of where I ride; you have to ride up to come down. So I make the most of the climbs as well. One aspect that is rarely mentioned with wider tyres, is that they require more effort. Not really an issue for ebikes, but I always go with the worst case scenario, and try not to depend on always having the electric assist.
Running 26X3....I'll get my coat.
Seriously, theyre fine.
I love the grip of a 2.8 minion tire. It's true that they feel less precise however the positives outweigh the minor down side. They are also really versatile... fantastic in both the dry, the wet, and the snow... especially on an emtb. Its good to see a lot of bikes moving to a mullet setup... keeping that far grippy tire on the back.
I have 2.8+ Maxxis on my Whyte 905 V2 and they work great for me. Not sure I would want them on a full suss bike but for a hardtail I think they are spot on👌
Happens that in order to keep it lightweight sidewalls were paper. On ebikes in some terrains, they should be “back” with tough casings
I love my 2.8 Eddie currents front and rear, very thick side walls, similar to a trials Moto tire.
Steve's cat for new EMBN presenter
Currently rocking Maxxis Rekon 2.8 rear and High Roller II 3.0 in the front on my GT Pantera. It has improved the performance dramatically!
Just saw your cat.
Reminds me of the old joke: Why did they start using Catseyes as reflectors on bikes?
Because if they used cats arses they need twice as many cats.
I have a beach exploring Ebike 3x27.5 front 4.8x26 rear. Deep loose sand but still steers in rocks
I bought a new Stumpjumer ST because the frame allows for high volume 29 inch tires. The change from 2.3 Butcher to 2.6+ Kennebec was amazing. I have not noticed any negative characteristic, but huge improvements. By the way, if you are looking for a high volume 2.6 wide tire that actually measures 2.6, I recommend to try the Terevail Kennebec 29er.
Another thing that works in plus tyres favour: tyre inserts reduce their squirm and are now popular.
I built a Salsa Blackthorn about 18 months ago and I've been riding three different wheel and tire setups on it. Most recently I added a set of Renyolds 27.5 x 45mm carbon wheels with i9 Hydra hubs and a pair of Specialized Ground Control 27.5 x 3.0 tires. The other two wheelsets are both DT Swiss, 29 x 35mm with 2.6 Maxxis Rekon tires, and a 27.5 x 45mm with 2.8 Maxxis Rekon + tires.
This is the first time I've ever ridden a 27.5 x 3.0 setup and it absolutely crushes everything I throw at it. I'm really confused about the demise of 27.5 x 3.0 as a viable wheel/tire option. As you might expect these tires are not particularly your friends on long paved hill climbs but I haven't found any situation off road where they didn't outperform the other two wheelsets. HANDS DOWN. And man are they comfortable over anything.
I generally run around 25 PSI in the Ground Control T7s which is their max rated pressure. They're literally like fly paper on single track and technical descents in this part of the world. On technical climbs they're amazing. Tree roots, rocks, and washboard seem to vanish. Rumors of vague handling have not been substantiated. I think the wider rims help this greatly.
My only complaint is that in 2024 there is a serious lack of high end and lightweight options to compare. The Ground Controls are a bit on the heavy side. One of the discontinued lightweight Schwalbe options would easily shed a pound or more of rotating weight off the bike. That would be transformative.
Hopefully the 27.5 x 3.0 tire sees a rebirth. I found my unicorn tire size just as the remaining stock of decent tires is dwindling to nothing. I just hoarded a pile of tires and hope to continue riding this setup for a while.
Damn, this felt like a documentary. Good stuff!
Thanks Fohman2! Glad you enjoyed watching :)
I just bought a 27.5+ tire rigid mtb only because the 29+ model was out of budget. Was deciding between 4 27.5+ models, including the Salsa Timberjack & Kona Unit. Coming from a 29x2.1 tire I really like the tire size for babyheads & rutted dirt.
I just built a set of 27.5 Plus wheels with i45mm rims and 2.8" tires. I have a a couple 29er wheels with i30 and i35 rims and have 2.4 to 2.6" tires all the time. The downside of going wider and wider rims on a 29er with 2.6" tires, especially aggressive tread design and heavier tires is the slow to start and extra inertia needed to get up to speed. A 27.5 plus gives you many of the benefits but without the weight and "wagon wheel" feel. Just my opinion
If my frame can fit in 29x2.4 maximum, can it fit in 27.5 x 2.8 or 2.6?
Skinny 29 upfront fat 27.5 out back. You know it makes sense.
Ive never seen a chopper bike on the mountain bike trails. Although Ive thought about the same with a 26x4 in the back because fat tire forks are ridiculously expensive, and not that good.
Just upgraded from a 3.0 to a 3.8 Minion FBR in the rear. I love the extra grip, but the tire barely fits and now I have a reverse mullet with a much bigger rear tire than the front. I was surprised at how much it changed the geometry.
Tell us more? How does it feel different? Curious
@@derman3658 I had a lot of pressure in the rear at first and it made the handlebars feel low, plus the bottom bracket was higher, felt weird. I let out some air so I got a bit of squish and everything is now golden. I'm riding a mix of snow crust and mud, slow techie stuff, so far the setup is amazing. I'm thinking about going 29 in the front but I'm afraid my feet won't touch the ground cause the bb will be so high.
Still running 650b on my Stumpy & Turbo Levo. Would never change. The 27.5*2.80 gives me everything I need for the rooty rocky sometimes wet n sloppy trails I ride. Schwalbe Hans Dampf/magic Mary on my analogue bike & eddy currents on my e-mtb. Plus ain't dead yet
I find it interesting how little people understand tire choices. I've raced mountain bikes for a while. I've experimented with rims, tires, pressure, etc., forever.
My conclusions: I find 29ers fine for rollover, 27.5 are great for agility, and mullets do everything better.
Also, bigger tires on ebikes is not a concern like it might be on acoustic bikes. The bigger the tire the better. I've converted my new 2020 Trek Rail 9.7 to a mullet setup and I absolutely love it. I've now got 29x3.0 Bontrager XR4 up front, with 27.5x3.0 Schwalbe Nobby Nic in the rear. Both are mounted on 50mm Duroc rims. I run both at 17psi.
The control I now have is light years ahead of the 29x2.6 I had before.
Dont hate it before you try it.
I run 4" X 20" on my eBike 😅.
I love my 27.5 FS MTB but 29ers are so smoothe. I tried a friend's 27.5plus and it felt INCREDIBLE but it was a super light Santa Cruz.... I would go as far as saying that most people riding around would benefit from 27.5plus but as someone else mentioned it is the industry that dictate.
To sum up, don't get bogged down, just go ride 🤙
I'm living in Quebec city, I'm going to try two sets. One will be Michelin Ewild 2.6 and Michelin Wild enduro 2.8. I want to feel the difference of the gumX and the wear of the tire vs grip. I have a Rocky altitude A70 PP We still got snow in the trail here! But next week, it's mud powerplay! Really like your channel 👌
I’m a huge fan of Plus tyres. The grip is unbelievable, they’re poppy when needed, & offer great small bump butt relief. Rear suspensions don’t offer much comfort there for longer rides....
Running maxxis chronicles.
27.5x3. Awesome all around tire good for my all around hardtail when don't know where I'll end up.
Trails, pavement, side of the road.
It rolls forever.
Im still running 27.5 x 3.0 on my cannondale beast of the east and absolutely love it
Still run plus size tires on my hardtail and full suspension. Remember people, you need wide rims with at-least a 35mm internal to take advantage of the larger volume wheels otherwise there isn’t enough side wall support. Oh yeah, and run a slightly slower rebound than you would with normal tires 2-3 clicks...
I have a 27.5+ bike with 2.8" tyres front and back on a Hardtail.
Ditto, on a hard tail or very weighty bike it's where they shine.
Same here. HT with 27.5 x 2.8 Nobby’s and no complaints.
I've got a Sonder transmitter, I run 2 sets of tyres depending on where/when. the WTB ranger 2.8 rear, 3.0 front or 2.8 front and rear Nobby's when I need grip for days.
If a manufacturer releases a slack HT + ebike I'll be selling a kidney to buy it.
Same!
If my frame can fit in 29x2.4 maximum, can it fit in 27.5 x 2.8 or 2.6?
Love my 27.5+! Tubeless at 15 psi on my hard tail feels amazing.
I have the YT decoy which comes with 27.5x2.8 rear and 29x2.5 front, lot of people complaining about the plus rear tyres and some actually gone down to 27.5x2.6 on both wheels. I have just replaced the rear tyre with Michelin e-wild rear and the grip seems to be unreal, I also have Vitoria air liner in the rear tyre which maybe helping with extra support on corners I don’t feel like its squeegee! I’m also happy with 29x2.5 maxis minion dhf. I think on ebike it definitely make sense to have wider tyres on the rear at least.
I swapped from 2.8 plus tires to 2.6 Assagai front and 2.6 Dissector rear tires, I honestly miss my bigger tires in most situations - especially in large rocks.
Got a 27.5" on the rear and 29" on the front love the feel of the bike this way, much more then the stock 27.5" setup.
Converted my Levo 29er to 27.5 in the rear, with chip flipped. Worked well and fun, but I don't think it works quite as well as 29 all around, esp. for the rocky terrain here in Sydney. The geometry change just didn't quite work as well. possibly because I also extended the front travel to 160 (from 150 stock).
If my frame can fit in 29x2.4 maximum, can it fit in 27.5 x 2.8 or 2.6?
Excellent video. You are getting really good at this.liked the walk around😀
The only tire I have ever punctured was a 27.5 X 2.8. Maybe it was bad luck, but the long walk back to the car (twice) doesn't make me miss that size. I am happy with the 29 X 2.6 (which is less than 2.6) on the current Levo.
I liked + tires on my old bike, but the power loss pedaling them made me switch back to an efficient 29er...but now I have an Ebike, the + is back, traction, comfort and handling (in that order😉)
Like the use of the grill as a computer stand!
My 2021 Meta Power SX came stock with 27.5x2.4 Schwalbe tyres on it. They're alright but I have been riding 29x2.6" for the past 2.5 years on my Stumpjumper and 2.4" just looks tiny now. I find that the 2.6" tyre not only has more grip but also soaks up some of the small bumps to make the ride overall more comfortable. Luckily my Meta Power can handle a 2.6" so when these 2.4" tyres wear out I'll upgrade to 2.6" and then I can have a direct comparison between the two. One thing to note with the 2.6" tyres is that the "trail" casing that came on my bike was too weak and would squirm a lot when I was railing corners so I upgraded to a DH casing and it was perfect. I weigh 111kg with my riding gear and my XL Stumpjumper weighs 14.5 kg for a total of 125.5 kg. I run 22.5 psi front and 27.5 psi rear in 29x2.6" DH casing tyres. I havent tried every tyre combination available but so far, that is my perfect setup.
i have a 2019 Haro hardtail that came with WTB 26" 2.8 Tires stock i just ordered some Maxxis same size hopefully they make a difference in feel!
Great vid👌2.8s 4me on my levo. They can go anywhere!
Love the 🐈,hope you’re well and staying safe at home.
BS... plus size tires are fantastic. 27.5s are so much better than 29 wagon wheels.
Depending on where I ride, the Maxxis Minions/Assegai 2.5 I use in loamy, hard pack or buffed trails. On dry, sandy, gravely and rocky trails, I prefer 2.8 size tires with lower psi and lightweight insert (Huck Norris).
A hardtail with a fast rolling plus tire in the back, and an aggressive(but narrower) 29 in the front, is my ideal setup.
2.6 happened which is best of both
Im debating to mullet my norco torrent 7.1 but i stuck with wheels im building them but debating weather use a 27.5 plus rim on the back
I run 2.8 magic Mary’s on my e bike , I find with the extra weight of the bike it gives it amazing grip ! However my hardtail Marin Pine Mountain I have changed to a 29” 2.3 tyre on the front and still running a 3” tyre on the rear , this gives me good rear wheel grip whilst giving me better front end cornering grip ! Interesting video as I thought plus tyres were still a thing !
If my frame can fit in 29x2.4 maximum, can it fit in 27.5 x 2.8 or 2.6?
Have been running the 27.5x2.8 tyres on my Powerfly FS7 down around 20 PSI for some time in a search for grip on our local loose gravelly and dusty corners over summer. Never even look like pinching the tubes. Just pushed them back up to 35 to see if they'd run a bit faster. They do, but man have they lost that smoothness you get from a big soft tyre. Also tend to feel a lot more sketchy on the loose gravel. Think I'll be dropping them back down again soon.
Do they make any aggressive plus size high volume tires for a 26" size wheel?
Interesting and very educational. +1 for the cat!
I loved my plus 27.5 2.8s and 3.0's until I started getting petal strikes. Unfortunately the bike reviews never mentioned that it would drop my bottom bracket way too low with this tire size. So my frame that was designed for 29 inch wheels being sold with this tire size was really just a gimmick. So I think, the reason plus tires disappeared was because not enough bike manufacturers ever really designed bikes specifically for them.
I ride 27.5x2.8 on my Norco Fluid. Stock they are tubed, but added some tape and they set up tubeless no problem. I run them 25psi in the front and back. That seems to work but am open to suggestions!
I went from 32c to to 2.8" all mountain bike and I enjoy it very much. The only think that the 2.8 are heavy and slow but I'm going to buy light and fast rolling plus tires
29x2,4 Eddy Current Front, 27,5x2,8 Eddy Current rear w Cushcore both on Fortus 35 on Kenevo w. V4 Vented.Park and Trail Tank, often on long Alpine Descents and Finale.
Results are only as good as the tests. Good coverage on the plus size stuff. Addendum here though - when considering geo change, you need to focus on the radius difference of the wheels and the pressure you're running them at as you need to look at the system under load.
I am currently using 27.5x2.3 slim dwr's.
Will I have to change rimm's to fit plus size tire's?
What is the min rim width to use with 27.5"+ tires ? Do I need a special rim to use 27.5+ ?
35mm inner width
I decided to change the amortised 29er wheels to 27,5+ wheels on my Stumpy. I am curious, how big is the difference. My assumptions: cornering and jumping will be easier and more fun. I am not sure about uphills. Climbing with 29er tires is not easy, but the rear shock gave me a lot of traction to climb ridiculous-looking terrain. Wider tires might bite even more.
Ed: I was looking for second hand rear wheel for almost a month in my area. Sram XD, 30+ mm width and rear-only wheel (without front wheel) were harsh requirements.
29x3.0 DHF and 27.5x2.8 DHRII . Ride at 13 and 17 psi. Great for roots and sugar sand.
I have been riding wide tires before they were a thing, and now they are no longer a thing and I am still riding them.
I live in Flat florida where the park managers like to make stupid rock gardens, otherwise we have short rooty climbs and sugar sand everywhere. It sucks to ride in Florida, but it's great to train for Georgia. I fill them with water to get strong.
Still running 2.8 Maxxis DHR 11 FR with the right pressure amazing.🤘Also 2.6 work just as well.
When you are recommending tire pressure, is there a difference between tubed and tubeless pressures? Is one more than the other? I run 27.5 x 2.8 here in Central NY, USA and I love the combination in the mostly loamy, muddy trails.
Yes
@@davidsuzukiispolpot What is the difference?? A pound or two, or more?
I plan on buying a 2020 Specialized Fuse with some 27.5 x 2.8s on it. I want a hardtail but previously broke my back in a motorcycle crash im all about the extra cush.
7:30 cameo from cat
7:30 El Fancy kitty cat approves the plus tire. Paw stamp of approval
What was wrong with 26 inch rims in the first place? When I was into MTBS back from 1995 to 2005 there was only 26 inch rims and everyone was fine about it
Still rocking them on my 2 GT's. One from the 90s and one from 2009. Don't need any new fangled nonsense ;) keep it old school
Nothing. In fact they are actually quite nice for downhill and enduro riding. Gives you more maneuverability and control.
Love my 27.5/2.8 on my Cannondale.
These tires never went away…
My 27.5x3.0 hardtail is my go-to for everything except XC, which I then choose 29x2.4.
I guess its a local thing but the most common hardtail you see around where i am living is the trek roscoe (27,5 plus).
Is it possible to put a regular 27.5 inch tire on a plus size rim? Thanks in advance
My Voodoo Zopob E came with 2.80's & I wouldn't use any other size now 😍😍
Hey Steve would say for you to try putting a moto trials tyre on your E- Bike IF You could get a rim / tyre too it fit it?
a wider tire will squirm less at a given pressure, so there's definitely a logic to running them a bit softer. I think it's always just going to be about balancing it for the kind of riding you're doing, keeping in mind that you'll probably want to drop a couple PSI on a 2.8, compared to a 2.3
Hi Steve great video as always looking at changing my front tire on new 2019 Focus jam
Both Front and back tires are maxxis rekon . 2.8 , totally get the plus size tires although I do think the front tire needs to changed to some a little aggressive for trail/enduro style riding
What’s your thoughts and recommendations?