[rocwandrer]

It has become clear that my daughter does much better on fatter tires at lower pressures than she does on much lighter tires at appropriate pressures. The carbon frame she is on fits the vee rubber crown gem 30 tpi 24x2.6 tire with very little room to spare in the rear, and a little more room in the front. These tires are very stiff, very very heavy (over 5 lb for the pair), exhibit some self steer such that I have to run as much as 10 psi in the front one. Despite all that, they are the best option I've tried so far.

I feel like this same tire in a lighter more supple 120 tpi casing would work pretty well, but they aren't offered. I bought a 24x2.8 120 tpi version to test fit. It is 1/4 lb heavier than the existing 24x2.6, so I'm not optimistic it is going to be better, but if it fits in the rear, it should give more suspension at least.

I can't find anything better out there. help?

 

[TimTucker]

It has become clear that my daughter does much better on fatter tires at lower pressures than she does on much lighter tires at appropriate pressures. The carbon frame she is on fits the vee rubber crown gem 30 tpi 24x2.6 tire with very little room to spare in the rear, and a little more room in the front. These tires are very stiff, very very heavy (over 5 lb for the pair), exhibit some self steer such that I have to run as much as 10 psi in the front one. Despite all that, they are the best option I've tried so far.

I feel like this same tire in a lighter more supple 120 tpi casing would work pretty well, but they aren't offered. I bought a 24x2.8 120 tpi version to test fit. It is 1/4 lb heavier than the existing 24x2.6, so I'm not optimistic it is going to be better, but if it fits in the rear, it should give more suspension at least.

I can't find anything better out there. help?

CST Fringe 24x2.8. Trek also sells a rebranded version as a Bontrager tire (they're the stock tires on the Roscoe 24).

Much lighter and faster rolling tread than the crown gem. Actual size is probably closer to 2.6.

 

[rocwandrer]

The 2.8 crown gem is a very nice tire, but the clearance is so low that a little mud and she'll be grinding away the frame. I ordered a pair of CST Fringe 2.8 based on you saying they are closer to a 2.6. I think I could cut the side lugs on the crown gem and make it fit with still having 2.8" tire casing volume. Hopefully that is what the Fringe is out of the box.

 

[rton20s]

My kiddo is on a Vitus Kids 24+ that runs the same 24x2.6 Crown Gems. We haven't replaced them yet, but I did put together some comparison data when looking at options. I wouldn't rely too much on the pricing data or availability, as this hasn't been updated for a few months. At each tire line I list (tire weight in grams, weight reduction in lbs going from OE tires and tubes to the new tire with sealant and valves). I also have another thread HERE with some additional info and feedback.

OE Vee Crown Gem (855g) 24x2.6 (1150g+ w/ tubes)
(Add 65g/wheel for 2oz of sealant & valves)

Schwalbe Rocket Ron Evolution Addix Speed (560g, -2.31lbs) 24x2.35 - $59
Maxxis Minion DHF 3C Maxx Terra EXO TR (765g, -1.41lbs) 24x2.4 - $55
Schwalbe Hans Dampf Addix Performance (770g, -1.39lbs) 24x2.35 - $51 ($20!)
Maxxis Minion DHR II DC EXO TR (756g, -1.45lbs) 24x2.3 - $45
Vee Crown Gem 120 TPI DC TLR (665g, -1.85lbs) 24x2.25 - $40
Vee Crown Gem 120 TPI DC Natural Wall TLR (625g, 2.03lbs) 24x2.25- $40
Vee Crown Gem 72 TPI DC TLR (705g, -1.68lbs) 24x2.25 - $35
Brood Maxtion (620g) 24x2.3 - $70
Kenda Booster Pro 120 TPI Single Compound STC TLR (558g) 24x2.2 - $65
Kenda Booster Pro 120 TPI Single Compound TR TLR (498g) 24x2.2- $65
Kenda Regolith Pro 120 TPI Dual Compound STC TLR (735g) 24x2.4 - ??
Kenda Hell Kat Pro 120 TPI Dual Compound ATC TLR (731g) 24x2.4 - ??
Maxxis Minion DHF DC EXO TR (813g) 24x2.4 - $53
Vee Flow Snap TC Enduro Core (820g) 24x2.4 - $48
Vee Flow Snap TC Enduro Core Natural Wall (820g) 24x2.4 - ???

 

[rocwandrer]

My kiddo is on a Vitus Kids 24+ that runs the same 24x2.6 Crown Gems. We haven't replaced them yet, but I did put together some comparison data when looking at options. I wouldn't rely too much on the pricing data or availability, as this hasn't been updated for a few months. At each tire line I list (tire weight in grams, weight reduction in lbs going from OE tires and tubes to the new tire with sealant and valves). I also have another thread HERE with some additional info and feedback.

Some good info there. What pressure do you run the crown gems at? I see you saying in the other thread that you specifically want to move towards a lower volume tire. Why are you moving away from the suspension effect of the fatter tires?

 

[rocwandrer]

Found this (old) (overlapping) list out there:


Slick:
Schwalbe Crazy Bob 24x2.35 995g
Maxxis Hookworm 24x2.5 1000g
Sunlite/Kenda Flame 24x3.0
Sunlite Chopper 24x3.0 1130g
Sunlite CST1381 24x2.4 935g
Sunlite Revolutions 24x2.5
Sunlite SLICK K1032 24x3.0 1130g
Sunlite Baja Belted 24x3.5

Small Knobs:
Schwalbe table top 24x2.25
Odyssey Aitken 24x2.25
Kenda K-Rad 24x2.3 865g
DMR moto digger 24x2.35 750g wire
Continental Air King MacAskill 24" Tyre 24x2.4 816g
Maxxis Holy Roller 24x2.4 830g wire
Kenda Slant 6 24x2.6 720g wire
Vee TireCo 24x2.6 Crown Gem folding (comes in several other sizes)
Specialized Big Roller 24x2.8 835g
Berm Master 24x3.0 1200g

Large Knobs:
Schwalbe Fat Albert 24x2.4 695g folding
Schwalbe Big Betty 24x2.4
Maxxis Minion DHF 24x2.4 1155g
Maxxis High Roller 24x2.5 1020g
Kenda Nevegal 24x2.5 1250g
Kenda Kinetics 24x2.6 1160g wire
Nokian Gazza 24x2.6
Vee Rubber Stout DH 24x2.6 1465g
Halo Ception 24x2.6 1235g wire
Duro Razorback 24x2.6 1150g
Halo Contra 24x3.0
Duro Razorback 24x3.0 1255g

 

[TimTucker]

Also not a tire, but on the subject of self-steer and tires wandering it's worth taking a look at a steering damping headset -- I went ahead and put them on my kids bikes and they seem to work pretty well:

Cane Creek Viscoset Upper Headset | Jenson USA

www.jensonusa.com

The basic idea is that a slight amount of resistance helps make it easier to keep from getting knocked off-line and helps prevent high speed wheel wobble. Most of the other use cases they're recommended for (eBikes / fat bikes) all share a common theme of a higher than average bike to rider weight ratio, which also tends to be common for kids bikes (even the good ones).

 

[rton20s]

Some good info there. What pressure do you run the crown gems at? I see you saying in the other thread that you specifically want to move towards a lower volume tire. Why are you moving away from the suspension effect of the fatter tires?

We usually run the Crown Gems around 12psi and my son weighs right around 70 lbs. We'll adjust depending on specific conditions.

One of the main reasons I am looking for a lower volume tire is weight. The bike he is on originally came with a rigid fork and we have since changed it over to a 26" suspension fork. The need for the damping effect of the higher volume tires isn't as necessary now, especially up front.

 

[fotooutdoors]

higher volume tires isn't as necessary now, especially up front.

I'll echo that experience with my 50-lb 7yo, though we quasi simultaneously went up to 24-inch and added a suspension fork. Whether because of fit (too much stack) or suspension, the Vitus nucleus 24 (hardtail) is working out better for mountain biking than the giant stp 24 (rigid) that he rode for a bit between the nucleus and his 20-inch bike.

 

[TimTucker]

One of the main reasons I am looking for a lower volume tire is weight. The bike he is on originally came with a rigid fork and we have since changed it over to a 26" suspension fork. The need for the damping effect of the higher volume tires isn't as necessary now, especially up front.

For us, higher volume isn't about damping -- it's about maintaining control and traction in sandy areas. Most of our local trails have very sandy soil with a thin layer of dirt on top, which leads to sand pits when it's been dry for a while or if the top layer of soil washes away after a rain (can't seem to win no matter what the weather).

Narrower tires tend to either cut into the sand and get stuck or lead to losing traction and wiping out (especially when they're at the bottom of a hill).

The Fringe works well for our XC-oriented riding, since it's relatively light but wide enough to keep going in the sand.

 

[rton20s]

I totally get that. You need to buy tires that work well for the conditions you ride in. No difference whether we're talking about 24", 29", or whatever size tires. Most of our riding is dry, loose over hard or rocky hardpack. We do have a few coastal areas that we ride where single track takes you through loose deep sand. Those rides are far more rare for us than our regular riding conditions, though.

For our kiddo, I have already added enough weight between the suspension fork, dropper post and wide range drivetrain. (All his requests.) I think he'll appreciate dropping a few grams or rotational weight between the upgraded hubs and lighter tires. Especially since the 2.6s aren't all that necessary for him.