tyre novice needs help

[beagly77]

One of my riding mates has suggested I get some wider/knobblier tyres, to help out my apparently limited riding ability....and I know nothing about tyres...currently riding on Maxxis ignitor 26 x 2.1 - they came with the bike. This is for Gambrill/watershed terrain...suggestions?

thanks

Beagly77

[pbayne]

Those are good tires. Going to anything bigger (like a 2.3) might give a little more "control". You would get more contact area and thus better traction in most situations. Bigger tires might feel a little slower, but unless your a racer type thats not a big deal. Dig around the old posts in this forum and you'll see lots of tire discussions with specific recommendations. I'm partial to Bontrager tires nowadays.

[Jackson]

Just be sure to search for "tire" - we tend to spell it wrong, consistently.

[chowderbutt]

before changing tires, mess around with your pressure. a change of 5 lbs pressure can make a lot of handling difference.

[Dr Phil mmkay]

before changing tires, mess around with your pressure. a change of 5 lbs pressure can make a lot of handling difference.

+1 on fiddling with the pressure. How much do you weigh? I know on my DH tires, going from 22 to 24 to 26 makes plenty of difference that I can feel.

If you think you need wider tires, try putting more air into the rear and deflating the fronts a bit (not too much!), that way you create a squarer contact patch in the front for more grip, while keeping a relatively rounded profile in the back. This usually helps out when you're turning and getting the rear out.

[jabberwocky]

For Shed and Gambrill riding I agree with your buddies that the ignitor 2.1 is a little skinny. You should try playing with pressure but bear in mind that a smaller tire like that will pinch flat easily if you go too low.

Good shed tires are the Kenda Nevegal DTC 2.35 and the WTB Exiwolf 2.3s. More volume and a more aggressive tread pattern.

[rizetech]

I actually had great luck on weirwolf 2.1s at gambrill and the shed, but recently went tubeless on some 2.3 ignitors (haven't had the maiden voyage yet) - a friend has been riding them up there with no complaints for a while. I'd try messing with the pressure, the 2.1 weirwolf is more like a 1.9 and i never really found it lacking.

[tuba_transport]

I have tried the ignitors in 2.3" tubed and tubeless on a couple of different bikes. I could find no riding condition where I liked them. Cornering was crap. Climbing not a whole lot better.

Maxxis makes some great tires like the High Rollers, but this particular tire blows IMO.

[jabberwocky]

Maxxis makes some great tires like the High Rollers, but this particular tire blows IMO.Funnily enough, I have the 2.1 Ignitors on my SS (in 29er configuration) and I like them quite a bit. They are on the skinny side, but grip and corner well. I wonder how much of that is the 26er/29er difference.

[tuba_transport]

Funnily enough, I have the 2.1 Ignitors on my SS (in 29er configuration) and I like them quite a bit. They are on the skinny side, but grip and corner well. I wonder how much of that is the 26er/29er difference.

From what I gather, Ignitors are fairly popular around these parts. I have just had very poor experiences with them. Punga was leading a Wakefield ride a while back on a demo bike with Ignitors and experienced the exact same cornering problems I had with mine.

I run Hutchinson Pythons on my SS and love them. Especially the newest version which addressed poor cornering. The new Pythons are awesome for hardpack fast rolling trails. They are lightweight and roll fast with predictable handling. They are not a wet tire or at home with rocks and lots of roots though.

For Gambrill/Shed riding though I like a 2.3 large knobbie tire. I am willing to climb a little slower in order to bomb down the other side.

[atlantis]

Don't forget to keep an eye on the tire's actually clearance.

I was running a crossmark 2.25 which was ENORMOUS and ran like 2.35 at least and it was rubbing my frame a bit, so I switched to a Conti Mountain King 2.25 and it fits like a champ and I think I like it better.

Tire pressure can make a huge difference also depending on the terrain/etc.

[beagly77]

Thanks everyone. Appreciate your suggestions.


Beagly77