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29+ vs 26*4.0 Jumbo Jim's

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JeepRage

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I've had a Canyon Dude for 3+ seasons and run Bud/Lou 4.8s in winter and 4.0 Jumbo Jim the rest of the year. I love snow season but dread the change over because JJs are so much faster and lighter. I also hate switching the tires over because Bud and Lou aren't the easiest to seal.

Current wheels are 26", 80mm with DT Swiss 54t hubs. I'm contemplating adding a second wheelset, in 29+ for spring through fall rather than swap JJs in and looking for perspective and experience on 29*3.0 vs 26*4.0 Jumbo Jim's. Which is faster? More fun? Lightbike carbon with DT hubs for $800ish is tempting.

I have a 29er full suspension I ride quite a bit in good weather too and when going with faster riders, but love my Dude and still ride it all year.

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#2 ·
When entering a non-snow race in the fat bike class, I run 26x80 single wall carbon rims with DT 350 hubs and 4" liteskin JJs as I've found it's a pretty tough combination to beat for that class. However, for general summer riding on my fat bike I run 29x35id Light Bicycle rims with DT 350 hubs and have recently switched from 3" tires down to 2.6". Here are a few of my observations if this may help:
  • The 29" wheelset (without tires) is around 200g lighter than the 26".
  • Wheel diameter of the 29+ is around 1" taller than the 26x4.
  • While my JJ lightskins run around around 990g, I have found running 29+ in an XC tire offers just about as much traction on hard pack and can save a few hundred grams per tire.
FWIW, I personally find the 29+ to be a faster wheelset (well over a lb lighter when all in) on hard pack while offering more tire options that are well under 1,000g vs what's available for fat bikes. I also greatly enjoy the increased bottom bracket hight in an attempt to avoid those pesky pedal strikes. I hope this helps.
 
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Discussion starter · #3 ·
FIF said:
When entering a non-snow race in the fat bike class, I run 26x80 single wall carbon rims with DT 350 hubs and 4" liteskin JJs as I've found it's a pretty tough combination to beat for that class. However, for general summer riding on my fat bike I run 29x35id Light Bicycle rims with DT 350 hubs and have recently switched from 3" tires down to 2.6". Here are a few of my observations if this may help:
  • The 29" wheelset (without tires) is around 200g lighter than the 26".
  • Wheel diameter of the 29+ is around 1" taller than the 26x4.
  • While my JJ lightskins run around around 990g, I have found running 29+ in an XC tire offers just about as much traction on hard pack and can save a few hundred grams per tire.
FWIW, I personally find the 29+ to be a faster wheelset (well over a lb lighter when all in) on hard pack while offering more tire options that are well under 1,000g vs what's available for fat bikes. I also greatly enjoy the increased bottom bracket hight in an attempt to avoid those pesky pedal strikes. I hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Bottom bracket height increase would be a welcome change over the 4" JJ. I don't race, just ride for fun and exercise, though am getting quicker.

All my riding is technical rocks and roots and short punchy climbs. I'm on 2.35 on Full Sus bike and tempted to spend the money on wheels there instead, but limited to 2.4 rear and 2.6 front.

If I go 29+ I think I'm looking at Lightbike 45mm on DT350 and 2.8-3".

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#4 ·
I run 26x65 mm carbons rims with 4.0 JJs in summer and 94 mm Aluminum rims with 4.6s in winter. Summer weight is just over 27lbs Farley 7 and just under 32lbs for winter. I'm thinking a 26x50 mm carbon rim with JJs would be a nice setup with a nice round tire for summer.
 
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#6 ·
RockyJo1 said:
I run 26x65 mm carbons rims with 4.0 JJs in summer and 94 mm Aluminum rims with 4.6s in winter. Summer weight is just over 27lbs Farley 7 and just under 32lbs for winter. I'm thinking a 26x50 mm carbon rim with JJs would be a nice setup with a nice round tire for summer.
Click to expand...
JJ sidewalls are too soft for 50mm. Hodags on 50mm is the ticket.
 
#7 ·
I know I'm probably in the minority - but for me - even in summer, I'm still looking for a fat bike experience - not fastest bike. And if I wanted a 29er hardtail I'd go buy one. So I personally prefer to keep my tires fat in summer. So I run 4.4 JJs on 65mm Light Bicycle rims on DT350 hubs. Pretty darn light (especially compared Bud/Lou winter wheelset even tho it carbon, too). Rolls well. Like I said surely not as fast/light as a nice 29er setup but it's the experience I want.

Different strokes...

COBikeman
 
#8 ·
CObikeman said:
I know I'm probably in the minority - but for me - even in summer, I'm still looking for a fat bike experience - not fastest bike. And if I wanted a 29er hardtail I'd go buy one. So I personally prefer to keep my tires fat in summer. So I run 4.4 JJs on 65mm Light Bicycle rims on DT350 hubs. Pretty darn light (especially compared Bud/Lou winter wheelset even tho it carbon, too). Rolls well. Like I said surely not as fast/light as a nice 29er setup but it's the experience I want.

Different strokes...

COBikeman
Click to expand...
Yeah, I'm the same way. I don't want to try to make my fat bike ride like a skinny bike. I have skinny bikes for that.
I rather have different bikes for different experiences than try to make them all the same
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
CObikeman said:
I know I'm probably in the minority - but for me - even in summer, I'm still looking for a fat bike experience - not fastest bike. And if I wanted a 29er hardtail I'd go buy one. So I personally prefer to keep my tires fat in summer. So I run 4.4 JJs on 65mm Light Bicycle rims on DT350 hubs. Pretty darn light (especially compared Bud/Lou winter wheelset even tho it carbon, too). Rolls well. Like I said surely not as fast/light as a nice 29er setup but it's the experience I want.

Different strokes...

COBikeman
Click to expand...
So that is my other option... 4.4" JJ would let me run rear wheel in shorter setting, and lift my BB a little more. I would probably keep stock wheels and continue swapping seasonally.

My 4.0 has had a plug in sidewall for a year and I'd like to replace it. Unsure if the 4.4 or 4.8 is noticeably slower than my 4.0.

I could also go 4.8 and run year round for simplicity. Friend does and he mostly keeps up with me in snow with my Bud and Lou's. Perhaps only in the deepest it matters more.

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#10 ·
I did the same thing: Bud & Lou in the snow and mud, JJ 4.0 otherwise. But if I want to cover some miles, esp. mixed terrain/bikepacking where I am doing road-trail-gravel-rocks-creeks I really like the 29+ setup...and I have 2 different sets of 29+: 1 for more mud and heavy duty use, and 1 for fast-rolling/rail trails. It's one reason I still have a 2X with a front derailleur.
I don't swap to 26x4.0 unless I'm hitting the beach or getting into something that I can't predict at all.

And I don't know if this is true for everyone, but I think if you clean your tire beads right after you take them off, they will seal up easier when you go to remount them. I have to get much more diligent in that regard myself.

-F
 
#11 ·
I'm not really the OCD type but I am geeky about really trying to keep my Bud / Lou snow tires from hitting dirt. Not saying if I'm riding snow (early or late season) there's a section of dirt I won't ride it but I make efforts to avoid dirt. So a few years in my Bud / Lou tires are in virtually brand new condition - all the better to bite into snow. yes I laugh at myself.

COBikeman
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Fleas said:
I did the same thing: Bud & Lou in the snow and mud, JJ 4.0 otherwise. But if I want to cover some miles, esp. mixed terrain/bikepacking where I am doing road-trail-gravel-rocks-creeks I really like the 29+ setup...and I have 2 different sets of 29+: 1 for more mud and heavy duty use, and 1 for fast-rolling/rail trails. It's one reason I still have a 2X with a front derailleur.
I don't swap to 26x4.0 unless I'm hitting the beach or getting into something that I can't predict at all.

And I don't know if this is true for everyone, but I think if you clean your tire beads right after you take them off, they will seal up easier when you go to remount them. I have to get much more diligent in that regard myself.

-F
Click to expand...
Bud and Lou, at least the non tubeless are pretty hard to seat without straps (duh they aren't tubeless) compared JJ. I think doing the swap twice a year is what is pushing me to consolidate to one set of tires or two sets of wheels.

Rationally I should just use my FS bike when not snowy or nasty out.... But fat is too fun. It is why I wonder if 29+ would help or hurt and should I just stick to some size JJ.

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#14 ·
I have nearly all the same sets you’re discussing.
Bud on 100
Minion on 80

4.0 JJ liteskin on 65 lite bike

3.0 Chupacabra on 35mm lite bike

They are all distinctly different.
The big snow tires do the max float thing. I ride fat on at least one of my bikes all year but the big meats only go on in winter.

4.0 JJ is a middle of the road setup while maintaining fat feelings. It can go fast and long or slow and tech.

29+ is a ton more efficient for racking up the miles. The roll over is real.

Do you want your bikes subtly different or maximally different?
 
#20 ·
mikesee said:
A fatbike isn't complete until it has a 29 x 3" wheelset to swap to in non-float months. Completely different beast -- so fast.
Click to expand...
That is exactly what I am hoping for! I dragged my feet ordering my fat bike frame this winter, and it will be arriving just in time for spring thaw. So that means I needed a 29+ wheelset for the spring gravel and road riding that is ahead of us. So 29x3" XR2's front and rear until the trails open, then the XR4 will go up front! BRING IT ON B!TCHES!!
 
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