Comments on: News And Rumors: Big Tires And Full Suspension Rigs

By: Davidcopperfield

Davidcopperfield — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:10:23 +0000

That discussion about DH 29er on that blog shows, simply, who tried and dabbled in the design already. It is just like with the whole mtb 622. Who ventured and rode has the opposite opinion.
Aside from Niner solely Specialized has some clue.

By: Cloxxki

Cloxxki — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 20:17:16 +0000

I worked with Banshee some time ago. Posed them the idea of a 29″er, and it was badly received. If I paid for the proto, I could have it. Proto was expensive. I wanted to make an all-out DH worthy bike. Frame, fork, rims, tires. Tires were always the stumbling block, as they’re most expensive to properly make. Some people have come up with ways to prototype (hand-stitch) tires which may offer some cool options once carried out. But, so far, time goes slowly.
Really, bikes don’t get all that much beter over the years. 6 years ago, that DH bike could have been really sick, even in today’s terms. “Just” a Banshee 8″ frame with longer rear end and taller front. White Bros 200mm fork reduced to 180mm, Kris Holm rims, and “a” fat tire. The tire, it’s always the tire. And tire makers let it hanging.
Do I understand correctly that Niner are pushing/paying this WTB tire which WTB had given up on?

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:22:59 +0000

AGuy: A Nano is an amazing tire tubeless. Don’t look down your nose at that choice! Beyond this, I would recommend a Conti Race King, which has amazing traction which belies its looks, and the way it uses its volume will make for a smoother ride. Tubelessness is really easy with either tire.

By: AGuy

AGuy — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:45:41 +0000

Words of silence are worth of gold, words of wisdom are pure diamonds. Thanks!

I think the case is almost settled and concluded: velocity rims (lighter than Arch, wider as Flow) with 29-3 at the front.

One last sticky point: rear tire. Looking for a fast roller that could claw on loose-over-pack climbs and be not too hoggish. Should I match with a 29-3 (2.2) at the rear? XDX again? fly with a racing ralph? WTB Nano Raptor? Any other suggestion?

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:17:46 +0000

AGuy: The 29-3 front is pretty amazing. I concur with Lee T.

The Blunt is tubeless ready with the addition of a Bontrager Rhythm rim strip. I have a set of wheels set up with Bontrager TLR XR tires, (which by the way, are amazing on sand) and they have been working just great so far.

As to your LBS saying things about weight and the width isn’t that big a deal, well I would offer that weight is not a big deal and width is. Especially if you are not racing, but riding for the enjoyment of being out there. (Like most of us are most of the time.)

By: AGuy

AGuy — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:31:18 +0000

One more:
I noticed the Velocity Blunt is lighter than the Arch (459g vs 470g) and of the same width as the Flow (28mm).

Any thought of using them tubeless?

By: AGuy

AGuy — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:04:01 +0000

Much obliged Lee,

Tubeless is definitely the way to go. Not only for comfort, but for virtually eliminating flats (where i ride thorns and barbs are all too common; hearing the hiss of the puncture and then the reassuring gagging silence of the sealant puts a smile on my face).

I suppose you use a squishy fork at the front with your Fly. No need to inquire about comfort…Mine will be rigid, though. I’m trying to balance between cush, grip and fast roll. At this point I’m gravitating toward the 29-3 at the front and at the back (both 2.2). Your input has helped. I had the XDX on my previous bike (GF Rig 09). They fly like no other tire, but grip on lose over pack is wanting. It is especially apparent on steep climbs when I stand over and torque the hell out of myself. The rear can slide from side to side like a drunken sailor vacationing a bar infested port…

I do mainly XC, but sometimes venture into more technical terrain, pushing the bike into ‘all mountain’.

On the Flows, my LSB pushing me toward the Arch, telling me the rolling/folding over a narrow rim is hardly noticeable and it’s not worth the extra 55g per rim. I’m not sure they are right.

Any further input will be great, but if none comes up, thank you all!

P.S.: sorry for typos: I suffer from a mild dyslexia..

By: Lee T

Lee T — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:31:53 +0000

@Aguy – while by no means an expert, I really like the Bonty 29-3 front on my geared Fly, with XDX rear. The wheels, though, are not the wider ones, but RXLs. Good on sand, loose over hard, whatever. Could not get it to wash out on a turn, and brought my descending up a notch, faster rolling than the Jones ACX it replaced.

I do use Flows with great success for trail riding with 2.3 Stouts – at 900gs heavy to race, but ultra-secure. They bring my lighter HiFi up a notch.

All tubeless, BTW.

By: AGuy

AGuy — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:42:44 +0000

Damn…

So I do I get some cush, traction and roll fast? Mnt King 2.4?29-3? Ardent? Wracking my head…

Thanks for the shinning explanation on the benefits of wider rims.

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:39:35 +0000

@AGuy

The wider rims really do not make a casing more supple, they just allow for a better foundation for your tire to work from. Instaed of rolling/folding over the narrow rim in hard cornering, for example, a wider rim will keep more of your tread on the trail without feeling any loss of control, or snapping away from you when the tread loses traction.

WeirWolf LT tires are really excellent in sand, but loose over hard are not their forte’. You will have to balance the benefits/negatives for yourself there. I almost recommended them, but going by your descriptions of your trails, I decided not to.

Personally, I really enjoy WW LT tires on wide rims.