Pros and cons of bigger tyres?

Joined: 02 Aug 2011 Posts: 141

Got to change my tyres, and I was wondering about using 2.1s rather than the 1.95s that are on the bike as bought.

Presumably larger gives more traction and more suspension, but at the cost of drag. Is this right, and are there other things to consider?

Thanks.

Matt

Joined: 04 Dec 2011 Posts: 1896 Location: Sunderland

Yes mate tread pattern adn what you are going to be using them for ? If you are just doing cycle paths and roads a semislick is ideal. If you are doing singletrack or propper offroad you want a knobbly tyre.
If you run a semislick you will find your average MPH is a few MPH faster than a knobbly.
What are you planning on doing ?

daz

Joined: 02 Aug 2011 Posts: 141

I've got a cheap chinese small block type like a panaracer fire or the like on at the moment, but I'm looking for something a bit grippier off road, so thinking Schwalbe Black Jacks as they get good reviews for a budget tyre.

I'm progressing to Reds from Blues, but still do about 50% on-road, and they are supposed to be easy rolling for an off road tyre.

Matt

Joined: 24 Nov 2011 Posts: 1363 Location: Tenby

Isnt grip more important than rolling resistance??
Get those skinny pansy semi slicks off and get some wider man tyres on there that will actually hold there own.

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 9:19 pm Post subject:

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 11:06 pm Post subject:

One thing to check is that your frame has the clearance for a larger tyre & there will be enough room for mud to clear the frame. If space is tight i'd go for a 2.1 front & a 1.95-2.0 rear, maxxis tyres often work out smaller than stated

Joined: 17 Dec 2011 Posts: 827

Tyres are one of the most simple and effective modifications you can do to improve performance. But it comes down to what you want to ride, as different tyres will suite different terrain.

So what will they be used for?

Joined: 04 Dec 2011 Posts: 1896 Location: Sunderland

Joined: 24 Nov 2011 Posts: 1363 Location: Tenby

Im just making sweeping generalisations about tyres..
obviously some roll better than others and everyone has preferences.
Tyre pressure can make a huge difference to how well a tyre works.
All down to personal preferences and where/how you ride..

Personally id prefer them not to slide/wash out rather than be easier to peddle but most of the riding i do is short and sweet (10 miles ish at a time) so as long as i can get my legs to roll a nobbly tyre that far and i havent slid out or crashed then its a good tyre.

Best to have about 3 or 4 sets of tyres to cover your a**e on what conditions/trails you will be hitting that week/day.

Joined: 04 Jan 2012 Posts: 162 Location: Sherwood forest

Shwalbe Racing Ralph 2.1 rear & Shwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25 Front Cool

Joined: 02 Aug 2011 Posts: 141

I do about 50/50 on and off road, but progressing to more off road, Red trails (ae, mabie etc) so not too muddy, but not fire road.

Obviously, more gip is better, but my main question is about the size. Bigger is better for grip, and presumably for a better ride, as long as the frame will take it.

Does it matter if I have Vs? does this limit the type/size of tyre?

Matt
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Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 7:17 pm Post subject:

I've been running on 2.1 XC pro's for the past year, and I washed them out on the Malvern Hills this week - coincidently I had just order some Panaracer Fire FR 2.4's But going to try a little combo, 2.1 on the rear, and a 2.4 on the front and see how it works out for me.

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