[AdamITR]

Hey all, (kinda a follow-up post). New owner of a 2018 Fatboy SE. I decided to upgrade the wheelset and go tubeless. 26" wheelset x 80. Was looking to use 26x4.0 tires, but they seem really hard to find right now. Vanhelgas, Jumbo Jim, Husker du, etc. With that said, there are a few available from different website sellers. Some are 60tpi, some 120tpi. So the question is; can someone explain the differences of 60 vs 120. Will be using them tubeless, riding Upstate NY terrain, lots of roots, rocks ... will be on the Fatbike from now until late spring. Some rides in snow on the same rooty/rocky trails. Thanks! (suggestions on any other tires is appreciated, and sizing too).

Adam

 

[mikesee]

The more threads per inch, the lighter the casing, and the more supple the ride.

Worth mentioning that a well-designed 60tpi can ride "better" than a cheap or poorly designed 120tpi.

Also, gumwall/tanwall 60tpi can be more supple than blackwall 120tpi.

 

[AdamITR]

Good info, thanks Mike

 

[AdamITR]

So, also worth mentioning, the bike came with 4.6 Specialized Ground Control's ... Specialized lists them as Foldable, 120 tpi. I have (4) 12 mile rides on them, they seem to work really well.

Any huge benefits to going with a 4.0 width Maxxis tire for example?? Or save the ~$200 and just reuse them?

 

[mikesee]

So, also worth mentioning, the bike came with 4.6 Specialized Ground Control's ... Specialized lists them as Foldable, 120 tpi. I have (4) 12 mile rides on them, they seem to work really well.

Any huge benefits to going with a 4.0 width Maxxis tire for example?? Or save the ~$200 and just reuse them?

Use what you have til you wear 'em out, or at least until you find some compelling reason to try to improve them.

 

[AdamITR]

I was thinking that too. Thanks Mike

 

[1spd1way]

Ground Controls work better then most other fat tires I have had for the riding we have in New England (I'm in Maine). Probably the best non-snow fat tire I have used. In the snow, not as good as Bud and Lou but those two chuckle-heads are tough to beat.

 

[MTBmoose]

I've been happy with the Ground Controls on my Fatboy, but was wondering how the Schwalbe Jumbo Jims compare? I don't have room for a 4.8 in the rear (unless someone claims they've run them on a Fatboy and it works), but thought the Bluto could handle it up front. I use the Fatboy for shoulder season riding when the trails are too soft for traditional mountain bike tires and, primarily, for winter riding on groomed and ungroomed trails. Snow conditions can be highly variable, with lots of boot track of varying compactness, some snowmobile trails, and other miscellaneous park or conservation trails. I am about 200lbs kitted up in the winter, so good float is a requirement. I've survived this long without studs, so I'd just as soon save the weight. A typical snow ride for me is in the neighborhood of 10-15 miles and 1500'-2500' of climbing. I'd probably give up a little bit of traction to be more efficient on the climb. Recommendations for light(ish) 4.5" or better tires for what I ride?

 

[mikesee]

I've been happy with the Ground Controls on my Fatboy, but was wondering how the Schwalbe Jumbo Jims compare? I don't have room for a 4.8 in the rear (unless someone claims they've run them on a Fatboy and it works), but thought the Bluto could handle it up front. I use the Fatboy for shoulder season riding when the trails are too soft for traditional mountain bike tires and, primarily, for winter riding on groomed and ungroomed trails. Snow conditions can be highly variable, with lots of boot track of varying compactness, some snowmobile trails, and other miscellaneous park or conservation trails. I am about 200lbs kitted up in the winter, so good float is a requirement. I've survived this long without studs, so I'd just as soon save the weight. A typical snow ride for me is in the neighborhood of 10-15 miles and 1500'-2500' of climbing. I'd probably give up a little bit of traction to be more efficient on the climb. Recommendations for light(ish) 4.5" or better tires for what I ride?

JJ's in 4.4.

 

[prj71]

I've been happy with the Ground Controls on my Fatboy, but was wondering how the Schwalbe Jumbo Jims compare? I don't have room for a 4.8 in the rear (unless someone claims they've run them on a Fatboy and it works), but thought the Bluto could handle it up front.

I had a 2015 Fatboy with Jumbo Jim 4.8 on it.

 

[MTBmoose]

I had a 2015 Fatboy with Jumbo Jim 4.8 on it.

Do you recall how much clearance you had with that combo? I just upgraded the original 2x drivetrain on my Fatboy to 1x and it looks like I have about a quarter inch clearance between chain and tire (original Ground Controls). Thanks for the reply!

 

[1spd1way]

I have friends up here in Maine who run J.J. 4.4 and really like them.
I haven't tried them because I have too many Ground Controls and Bud and Lou sets.

 

[prj71]

Do you recall how much clearance you had with that combo? I just upgraded the original 2x drivetrain on my Fatboy to 1x and it looks like I have about a quarter inch clearance between chain and tire (original Ground Controls). Thanks for the reply!

Never measured it. Just put them on and they fit without hitting anything.

They were only on my bike for a short while because they weren't very good in the snow. Fine in non-snow conditions though.

I currently have a set of Jumbo Jim 26 x 4.8 127 TPI brand new new in the box sitting on the shelf collecting dust.

 

[pssaenz]

I've been happy with the Ground Controls on my Fatboy, but was wondering how the Schwalbe Jumbo Jims compare? I don't have room for a 4.8 in the rear (unless someone claims they've run them on a Fatboy and it works), but thought the Bluto could handle it up front. I use the Fatboy for shoulder season riding when the trails are too soft for traditional mountain bike tires and, primarily, for winter riding on groomed and ungroomed trails. Snow conditions can be highly variable, with lots of boot track of varying compactness, some snowmobile trails, and other miscellaneous park or conservation trails. I am about 200lbs kitted up in the winter, so good float is a requirement. I've survived this long without studs, so I'd just as soon save the weight. A typical snow ride for me is in the neighborhood of 10-15 miles and 1500'-2500' of climbing. I'd probably give up a little bit of traction to be more efficient on the climb. Recommendations for light(ish) 4.5" or better tires for what I ride?

I used a Lou on the back of a Fatboy SE on a 90mm Nextie rim with good clearance all around.

 

[MTBmoose]

prj71, let me know if you are interested in selling your 4.8 JJs for a decent price. I usually go to the Germany shops to get Schwalbe tires. About the only place to get them for a reasonable price, even with the high cost of shipping.

 

[prj71]

prj71, let me know if you are interested in selling your 4.8 JJs for a decent price. I usually go to the Germany shops to get Schwalbe tires. About the only place to get them for a reasonable price, even with the high cost of shipping.

I might be interested in that...

 

[Willum]

The more threads per inch, the lighter the casing, and the more supple the ride.

Worth mentioning that a well-designed 60tpi can ride "better" than a cheap or poorly designed 120tpi.

Also, gumwall/tanwall 60tpi can be more supple than blackwall 120tpi.

in your experience are 45nrth tan walls more supple than their 120 tpi black? How do you gauge that?

 

[mikesee]

in your experience are 45nrth tan walls more supple than their 120 tpi black? How do you gauge that?

I haven't ridden them back to back to be able to say.

I've had customers tell me that they've ridden them back to back, and that that was their conclusion.