[nOOky]

I'm thinking of picking up a spare set of wheels. I'd like to keep them handy and mount my studded Dillinger 26 x 4.6"s on them for more flexibility for different conditions. I was wondering if going to a wider rim from my current 80mm Mulefut's would help in deeper snow. Currently I have the 4.7" Barbegazi's on the 80mm rims and they seem pretty round with a minimum contact patch riding over impressionable mud. Wondering if a 90mm would be better, and how much of a difference it would really make. I believe I can get about 5" of tire both front and back on my fat bike FWIW.

 

[BansheeRune]

90's will take you into some looser terrain before you hafta start letting air out. 80's will do the deed but lower the pressure to get more tread on the ground.

 

[Fleas]

With 80mm Mulefuts, and 1 wrinkle on the sidewalls of Bud and Lou 4.8s, I can ride through a LOT. In your case, +5mm/side of rim width seems to be a very small incremental change. If you went with wider rims and wider tires, you would see some real difference.

-F

 

[Pipeliner]

I don’t know about snow but in sand there is a noticeable difference. I had 80 Mulefuts on my wife’s and 90 blizzerks on mine and the difference in traction and float (both bikes with 4.8 JJs) is obvious.

 

[Traktor]

Consider getting two spare sets, one at 85 and one 90

 

[BansheeRune]

I don’t know about snow but in sand there is a noticeable difference. I had 80 Mulefuts on my wife’s and 90 blizzerks on mine and the difference in traction and float (both bikes with 4.8 JJs) is obvious.

Identical tire on both with same air pressure...
I have run JJ 4.8 liteskin on both Rolling Darryl and Clownshow and there is a very notable point at which an air pressure adjustment will occur.
Add in that snow compacts and sand, real sand does not, just keeps flowing as it is disturbed.

 

[nOOky]

I don’t know about snow but in sand there is a noticeable difference. I had 80 Mulefuts on my wife’s and 90 blizzerks on mine and the difference in traction and float (both bikes with 4.8 JJs) is obvious.

I have the same JJ's I use for summer tires. I can't really go any wider with my tire choices, I think the next thing up is something like a 5" Terrene. I use 3 different tires year round, I know that seems excessive. The JJ's are for summer, the Barbegazi's are transitional tires for when the snow flies, but it's not yet icy. I then switch to the studded tires for late winter/early spring icy conditions. Here in the upper midwest I would change tires every other week sometimes if I could, hence having a spare set available.

 

[Jayem]

IME, there is a definite difference between running a D5 on something like a 75-80 and a 90. The 75-80 works better with a D4 and while you get some float advantages by going up to a D5, you are losing sidewall support and the handling isn’t as good as it could be. If you are doing this specifically to run wider tires, I’d recommend the 90s, better profile.

 

[nOOky]

Consider getting two spare sets, one at 85 and one 90

I sense the sarcasm strongly here lol as if I can even find any wheelsets for sale for under $2000.

 

[Hodo]

I have a bike with 80mm rims and Dillinger 5's. Does pretty good in the deep and loose stuff I ride.
I also have a bike set up with 100MM rims and 45nrth Flowbiest front and rear.
The bike with the 100MM rims does significantly better regarding float.

 

[mikesee]

I'm thinking of picking up a spare set of wheels. I'd like to keep them handy and mount my studded Dillinger 26 x 4.6"s on them for more flexibility for different conditions. I was wondering if going to a wider rim from my current 80mm Mulefut's would help in deeper snow. Currently I have the 4.7" Barbegazi's on the 80mm rims and they seem pretty round with a minimum contact patch riding over impressionable mud. Wondering if a 90mm would be better, and how much of a difference it would really make. I believe I can get about 5" of tire both front and back on my fat bike FWIW.

The softer, less prepared the snow surface, and/or the lower the pressures you run, and/or the heavier you are, the more a small difference in rim width matters.

 

[FatboyFarleyFuse1977]

I have an older Special Ed Stout 90mm vs my carbon Wampa and DT 2250 80mm rimmed wheels. Massive positive difference going to 90. Can't imagine 100mm. 😛😄

 

[BansheeRune]

I have an older Special Ed Stout 90mm vs my carbon Wampa and DT 2250 80mm rimmed wheels. Massive positive difference going to 90. Can't imagine 100mm. 😛😄

There is a very noticeable difference between my Rolling Darry's (i76) and Clownshoes (i94) with Bud/Lou or JJ 4.8's in terms of flotation in sand and snow. Being a 120 # rider these days and I can still feel that difference and it is what determines the need to let some air out or not. The fatter rims need to air down less than narrower rims.

And Mikesee was the one I believe that mentioned counting wrinkles as a method to set the pressure.

 

[FatboyFarleyFuse1977]

There is a very noticeable difference between my Rolling Darry's (i76) and Clownshoes (i94) with Bud/Lou or JJ 4.8's in terms of flotation in sand and snow. Being a 120 # rider these days and I can still feel that difference and it is what determines the need to let some air out or not. The fatter rims need to air down less than narrower rims.

And Mikesee was the one I believe that mentioned counting wrinkles as a method to set the pressure.

I hover around 250#, and I beat the crap out of my fat bikes on massive stairs and drops. 90mm and Lou 4.8 is awesome, although that was supposed to be my winter tire. After tons of pavement, killing Lou, I'll be rolling a 26 FBR 4.8 on a DT2250, or a 27.5 Barbegazi 4.5 on a Wampa 80mm.

 

[BansheeRune]

I hover around 250#, and I beat the crap out of my fat bikes on massive stairs and drops. 90mm and Lou 4.8 is awesome, although that was supposed to be my winter tire. After tons of pavement, killing Lou, I'll be rolling a 26 FBR 4.8 on a DT2250, or a 27.5 Barbegazi 4.5 on a Wampa 80mm.

All are awesome! Ride and enjoy the fatness over the various terrain and conquer.