[fire_lantern]

Hi everyone, I have a 2019 Beargrease and enjoy riding it as a second bike in the summers. Running 27.5 x 3.8 minions in summer, but I've been thinking of picking up a second 29+ wheelset (maybe a light bicycle) with 2.8 or 3.0 tires. Just wondering who else has done this and how much of a difference you find. This is for trail riding, so really most interested in lighter weight and faster climbing. Before I drop a grand, I'd love to hear the experiences others have had. Thanks!

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[BansheeRune]

Is this an only bike?


Many have one bike or a fat and a full squish, so I get the desire to make the Beargrease a little more sporty for warm season use. They can change it up in minutes from plus to fat mode which can be two bikes in one. Definitely a popular thing to have a couple wheel sets on hand to make it more versatile. Look at the options for wheel sets that might fit the niche.

I have a fat, 4.8 tire bike as well as a midfat 27.5 x 3.8/4.0 bike as well as plus bikes that eliminates the need to defat the fat.

Frankly, my Sergeant V3 with 27.7 x 70mm rims rides and feels like a plus rather than a fat. With that said, I ride dirt frequently with that particular bike since I can still go Jeepin in the loose terrain. This bike sees more miles in the summer than does the 4.8 tire bike.

 

[Brad Pitted]

Most here will opine that no fatbike is complete without a plus wheelset. To me, the very term fatbike is somewhat inaccurate. What I have is a trail hardtail that is capable of running 5 inch rubber when the conditions call for it. Optioned thusly, you may find that your “fatbike” gets significantly more ride time than your full sus. I know that has been the case for me.

 

[fire_lantern]

Perfect, thank you both for the feedback. I have a full suspension bike as well, it's just that I frequently find myself reaching for the fat bike. It's simply more fun on smooth singletrack and for switching things up. I just wasn't sure if moving to 29+ would make a major difference but it sounds like it's worth it for the summers. As much as I'd love to just get a third bike, space and funds are limited so this seems like a good option.

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[fly4130]

It is a major difference. Unless you want something more aggressive geometry-wise the plus wheels are a great option for summer riding. FWIW, my fat wheels are 26x4. Going to 29x2.8 was a big difference. I cannot say how big the change will feel going from 27.5x3.8/4 to 29+. You will save some weight for sure.

 

[fire_lantern]

Great to hear. I already added a SlackR angleset and dropper so it's a pretty well rounded ride for me right now. My wife has a big jon with wide 26" tires and there's a pronounced difference between our bikes. Guessing moving to 29 plus will be similar in the sense that it'll feel more sprightly. Lots of enablers here, this is great

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[Fleas]

I always feel bad about grinding down $100-a-pop snow tires in dry weather.
I feel MUCH better about riding plus tires in the same conditions.

I have a faster-rolling set of 29x3 and then a grippier set, AND low-tread fatties for just dirt and sand. It makes my fatbike a chameleon of sorts - suitable for almost anything I want to do.

-F

 

[jonshonda]

29+ is ideal for me. I will have a hard time spending money on anything else.

 

[ransom208]

29x3 and 26x4 on my pugsley
29x3 and 26x5 on my ice cream truck

have both, they both work well for there conditions.

 

[doubravsky]

27.5 x 4.5" on my Growler American Stout. For the summer, 29 x 3.0" ... its 1.5 lbs. lighter, and super fun.

 

[fire_lantern]

Man, all of you have super fun setups.... alright looks like I'll need to give it a go!


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[CCSS]

One other perspective

You mention that you’ll be riding smooth singletrack. To me that’s important. I’m a huge 29+ zealot - been riding it since 2013 with the OG Krampus. BUT, I’ve also come to love 27.5x3.8. I have two MTBs - one running each of those sizes.

I’d say 29+ is better on really chunky and ledgy trails where the additional rollover makes a huge difference. 27.5x3.8 (Hodag in my case) feels more nimble in the twisties, and perhaps counterintuitively, feels like it spins up faster. And you get a roughly equivalent contact patch.

Both my wheelsets are bontrager line pro 40s, so I save weight with the wheels. And even though BansheeRune can’t handle it, I really like the Hodag tire profile on the i40 rims


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[fire_lantern]

Interesting....good to hear your experience and definitely different than I was thinking, so that's good to know. I'm in Kamloops, BC, so it's an interesting mix of dry, buffy flow and rowdier stuff, but my typical morning ride is 90% smooth and fast. Not a lot of tight and twisty here. Hmm....maybe I'll keep the minions in that case to have two wheelswrs still for summer....was planning to just leave the studs on the 27.5 wheels and closet til winter, but perhaps not!


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[mikesee]

A fatbike definitely isn't complete with only one size of wheels/tires.

With two wheelsets it's a year-round bike.

With three it's a quiver killer in many places.

I was just in the canyon country for a few days. Rode 29 x 2.8" for a bikepacking mission, then swapped to 27.5 x 3.8" for a really, really techy/chunky day ride.

And of course I'll switch to 26 x 5" when it starts snowing (and sticking) next month.

 

[ransom208]

A fatbike definitely isn't complete with only one size of wheels/tires.

With two wheelsets it's a year-round bike.

With three it's a quiver killer in many places.

I was just in the canyon country for a few days. Rode 29 x 2.8" for a bikepacking mission, then swapped to 27.5 x 3.8" for a really, really techy/chunky day ride.

And of course I'll switch to 26 x 5" when it starts snowing (and sticking) next month.

the wheels i picked up from you this summer, have not gotten alot of use, but what they have gotten has been pretty fun. nice wheels.

 

[Mk3Rider]

@mikesee how would rate a XR4 29 x 2.8 or 29 x 3.0 on i46 rims vs the 27.5 x 3.8 hodag on 65mm rims?

I am really on the fence about getting a third wheelset for my suzi q that is more focused on trail riding in the warmer months.

 

[mikesee]

@mikesee how would rate a XR4 29 x 2.8 or 29 x 3.0 on i46 rims vs the 27.5 x 3.8 hodag on 65mm rims?

I am really on the fence about getting a third wheelset for my suzi q that is more focused on trail riding in the warmer months.

XR4's are 3.0 only in 29.

What, specifically, do you want to know?

That B Fat set will be heavier, a bit slower, and more capable in tech.

That 29+ set will be faster, lighter, and roll through holes/ledges/roots noticeably easier.

 

[Mk3Rider]

@mikesee how dramatic of a difference would it be? Combo might end being xr4 / xr2 on the 29+ wheelset. I guess the main thing is, i am chasing the clock. I've noticed that my carbon suzi q w/ carbon wheels & hodags set very similar times as my sir 9 with carbon wheels on 27.5 x 2.8 w/ i40's.

Is the difference going to add 2%, 5% or more in increased speed?


Found the old thread to read through on this issue:

27.5 x 3.8 VS 29 x 3.0 for dirt use

Nate, Bud, Lou, Flowbeist, Dunderbeist Now that's just spiking the ball. :) Heck, the popular XR2/Chupa knobs are not as big as a Knard.

www.mtbr.com

 

[mikesee]

@mikesee how dramatic of a difference would it be? Combo might end being xr4 / xr2 on the 29+ wheelset. I guess the main thing is, i am chasing the clock. I've noticed that my carbon suzi q w/ carbon wheels & hodags set very similar times as my sir 9 with carbon wheels on 27.5 x 2.8 w/ i40's.

Is the difference going to add 2%, 5% or more in increased speed?


Found the old thread to read through on this issue:

27.5 x 3.8 VS 29 x 3.0 for dirt use

Nate, Bud, Lou, Flowbeist, Dunderbeist Now that's just spiking the ball. :) Heck, the popular XR2/Chupa knobs are not as big as a Knard.

www.mtbr.com

Where -- what type of trail(s)?

 

[Mk3Rider]

Midwest hardpack / loose over hardpack. Clay / gravel / hardpack sand.