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Tire Talk - what setup are you using?

2836 Views 20 Replies 16 Participants Last post by CCSS, Jan 17, 2022

aan

Discussion Starter · Jan 9, 2022

I saw this in a different sub-forum and thought it would be interesting to discuss here for singlespeed setups - what is your usual go to tire setup and terrain like? Once I started riding single speed, I quickly realized my Vigilante/Trail boss combo was a little draggy, though the grip was fantastic.

Honzo ST
Front: Rekon 29x2.4 WT dc
Rear: Rekon 29x2.4 WT dc

most our trails are steep, loose/sandy, some hardpack and always dry

Switching to the Rekon f/r I noticed immediately a huge improvement in climbing up some of our steep sections I had to walk before. The rear will slip out sometimes when standing and mashing on loose climbs, but not nearly as much as I thought it would and I can usually correct it with better technique. I have washed out the front end a couple times on some kitty litter sections, so I am debating changing the front out to a Dissector or Forekaster in the future...

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bitflogger

· #2 · Jan 9, 2022

Single speed doesn't have any impact on what tires I use or like. The difference if any is using fast tread for the DJ/pump bike and the single speed at our cabin that does more time in sandy conditions and some rail trail but that's about terrain and use.

I have a steel Honzo and currently like its second set of wheels with Riddler back and Trail Boss front. It feels good riding to trailhead and has some got your back leaned over. There's definitely moments of tire slip in back vs general purpose knobby but worth the overall speedy feel for how the bike is used. That Honzo's had different drivetrain, different wheels, and popular Maxxis, Bontrager and WTB tires - its all worked well.

aan

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 9, 2022

bitflogger said:
Single speed doesn't have any impact on what tires I use or like. The difference if any is using fast tread for the DJ/pump bike and the single speed at our cabin that does more time in sandy conditions and some rail trail but that's about terrain and use.

I have a steel Honzo and currently like its second set of wheels with Riddler back and Trail Boss front. It feels good riding to trailhead and has some got your back leaned over. There's definitely moments of tire slip in back vs general purpose knobby but worth the overall speedy feel for how the bike is used. That Honzo's had different drivetrain, different wheels, and popular Maxxis, Bontrager and WTB tires - its all worked well.

How does the Trail boss feel on the front? I like the look of the combo with the ranger. I have had good luck with WTB "Light" casings being pretty durable for me in the past.

maynard4130

· #4 · Jan 9, 2022 (Edited)

Specialized butcher front. Purgatory rear both grid casing on my ss Colorado front range, dry and loose granite

(added) 27.5 2.6 on 35 internal rims. 19psi,21psi

North woods gal

· #5 · Jan 9, 2022

I also use the same type of tires single speed or fully geared. Most of my riding is hard packed dirt, so I tend to go for fast rolling XC tires on both types of bikes. Don't need aggressive tires. Typically Thunderburts, Racing Ralphs, Saber Pro, Race Kings on the standard mtbs and tires like the Knards, Rekons and similar on the plus bikes.

BansheeRune

· #6 · Jan 9, 2022

aan said:
I saw this in a different sub-forum and thought it would be interesting to discuss here for singlespeed setups - what is your usual go to tire setup and terrain like? Once I started riding single speed, I quickly realized my Vigilante/Trail boss combo was a little draggy, though the grip was fantastic.

Honzo ST
Front: Rekon 29x2.4 WT dc
Rear: Rekon 29x2.4 WT dc

most our trails are steep, loose/sandy, some hardpack and always dry

Switching to the Rekon f/r I noticed immediately a huge improvement in climbing up some of our steep sections I had to walk before. The rear will slip out sometimes when standing and mashing on loose climbs, but not nearly as much as I thought it would and I can usually correct it with better technique. I have washed out the front end a couple times on some kitty litter sections, so I am debating changing the front out to a Dissector or Forekaster in the future...

While I run 27.5 x 3.0, there is a few things that make tire choice a thing.

Rocket Ron, for instance. I love the tire for its lack of rolling resistance and form/function on hardpack speed runs. I drop the pressure from 12 psi down to 9 for loose over hard and the tire floats better than a sunken tire does cause too much air doesn't permit the tire to have a wide, long enough contact patch.

Nobby Nic is fantastic for rocky, rooty etc. and more rowdy/tech stuff. Again, air pressure is of the essence regardless of 2.4 or 3.0. NN displaces sand with its grubby dirt bike style tread pattern and RR out performs it in sand.

Proper weight shift and rider position along with rider input makes a difference in terms of tire performance as well.
Proper tire pressure for the terrain is paramount.

There are a few trails that I will run NN front and RR rear with 10-11 psi front and 11-12 rear (3.0) without drama and drifting the rear can be more addicting than nicotine!

Dirtin's never been so good!

On you is to sort out suitable tread patterns for the terrain. Sort out riding pressures for the terrain. Annnd, practice riding technique. Small adjustments to technique can be an enormous improvement that is free of charge!

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Reactions: 1

Impetus

· #7 · Jan 9, 2022

Martello 29x2.6 front
Agarro 29x2.6 rear with a Tannus Tubeless insert

vikb

· #8 · Jan 9, 2022

Coastal BC - techy singletrack. 29 x 2.6" DHF/DHRII in EXO casing with a Tannus Tubeless insert in the rear wheel.

milehi

· #9 · Jan 9, 2022

My SS is 26 and I have a WTB 2.4 Mutano Raptor up front and a WTB 2.3 Prowler out back. Both are NOS out of my stash.

Reactions: 1

Kevin Matherne

· #10 · Jan 10, 2022

Very flat, hard packed dirt trails with some roots here so very xc‘sh on the tires and bike types used. More aggressive tires feel draggy on our local Houston trails to me. My SS has 2.35 Sworks Fastrac front and rear has 2.1 Sworks Fastrac. Geared hardtail has same tire set. FS has 2.35 Ground Control front and 2.35 Fastrac with the heavier sidewalls. Those handle Central TX chunk stuff just fine and the sworks ones have not given me any reason to dislike them so far so pretty set on these. I would not use the sworks ones in Central TX though.

bitflogger

· #11 · Jan 10, 2022

aan said:
How does the Trail boss feel on the front? I like the look of the combo with the ranger. I have had good luck with WTB "Light" casings being pretty durable for me in the past.

It's a good general purpose knobby like Bontrager 4 tread. It rolls well and is predictable. It seems like it and Bontrager 4 don't pack with mud as fast as Ardents that I also like.

I tend towards more protective casings where Bontrager SE are a favorite for the "got your back" and not too heavy but I like this WTB combo.

mtnbikej

· #12 · Jan 10, 2022

Have been running Rekon Race 29x2.4 front and rear out here in So. Cal.

Just recently replaced the front RR with a 2.4 Dissector that was on it before.

Rekon 2.4 and Bonty XR 3 & 4 have seen prominent time on the bike as well. Thinking of going back to 2.35 Ikons

DeoreDX

· #13 · Jan 10, 2022

I have double down 27.5x2.6" Schwalbe Smart Sam tires on my single speed. For me it covers a nice range of use cases. Nobby Nic/Forekaster sized all around tread with heavy duty casing for our sharp rocks with a continuous center pattern so it rides smooth on the street. 2.6 Forekaster, 2.6 Smart Sam, and 2.25 Nobby Nic comparison.

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jct

· #14 · Jan 10, 2022

santa cruz area rider....lots of loam, roots, hardpack, gravel, dust on crust, chunder....

jabber rigid has 2.6 XR4s (30i)
chumba has rekon 2.6 front, 2.4 rear (30i)

i really really dig the rekons. great shoulder lugs and they spin up fast enough and offer braking to my liking. i've also ran chupa/XR2 and those are awesome tires as well. if i race ever again, i'd consider XR2 2.4s.

i've been vittoria curious for a while and may need to scratch that itch in the next year.

Reactions: 2

Karmatp

· #15 · Jan 11, 2022

I run Maxxis rekon‘s front and rear, maxx terra front and dc back on my SS, both 2.4 This is definitely a fast rolling set up with a solid amount of grip.

I just recently added specialized ground control T7 to the front of my geared full squish bike with a T5 specialized fast trak out back. This combo seems to roll fast as well with improved front end grip.

I have another specialized ground control T7 in my garage and now I find myself wondering if I should add it to the front of my single speed. The 2.4 rekon maxx terra and the specialized ground control T7 2.35 weight pretty much the same with the ground control improving grip, I just wonder if it rolls slower compared to the rekon.

specialized just upgraded their xc tire lineup, if you have not looked at them, you should.

Shinkers

· #16 · Jan 11, 2022

I've been using Rekons front and rear for some time now. 2.6 as well as 2.8. I ride primarily dry, dusty, loose over hard, type conditions.

I firmly believe that the Rekon is an underrated tire. They grip more than you would think on the front and they roll better than you would think on the rear. Especially once you've worn the rear in a bit.

aan

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jan 11, 2022

Karmatp said:
I run Maxxis rekon‘s front and rear, maxx terra front and dc back on my SS, both 2.4 This is definitely a fast rolling set up with a solid amount of grip.

I just recently added specialized ground control T7 to the front of my geared full squish bike with a T5 specialized fast trak out back. This combo seems to roll fast as well with improved front end grip.

I have another specialized ground control T7 in my garage and now I find myself wondering if I should add it to the front of my single speed. The 2.4 rekon maxx terra and the specialized ground control T7 2.35 weight pretty much the same with the ground control improving grip, I just wonder if it rolls slower compared to the rekon.

specialized just upgraded their xc tire lineup, if you have not looked at them, you should.

Good though, I was actually looking at these yesterday. Wondering if the fast trak/ground control or ground control/eliminator would be best setup for me. Most my experience is with Maxxis and WTB in the past, so I find it difficult switching brands and understanding how their casing compares. Think the spec GRID is similar to Exo? and Grid Trail maybe like exo+ or something

aan

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 11, 2022

jct said:
santa cruz area rider....lots of loam, roots, hardpack, gravel, dust on crust, chunder....

jabber rigid has 2.6 XR4s (30i)
chumba has rekon 2.6 front, 2.4 rear (30i)

i really really dig the rekons. great shoulder lugs and they spin up fast enough and offer braking to my liking. i've also ran chupa/XR2 and those are awesome tires as well. if i race ever again, i'd consider XR2 2.4s.

i've been vittoria curious for a while and may need to scratch that itch in the next year.

I have debated trying out the rekon 2.6 in front and/or rear for awhile. Do you have experience with the 2.4 and a 2.6 up front? Wondering if the 2.6 feels more vague in the corners or not. I like the Rekons for my dry/dusty trails, but every now and then the front end doesn't seem to want to hold up in hard corners

jct

· #19 · Jan 11, 2022

aan said:
I have debated trying out the rekon 2.6 in front and/or rear for awhile. Do you have experience with the 2.4 and a 2.6 up front? Wondering if the 2.6 feels more vague in the corners or not. I like the Rekons for my dry/dusty trails, but every now and then the front end doesn't seem to want to hold up in hard corners

i've run just the 2.6 in the front. for me and my riding style etc, i think it's a great front tire. shoulder lugs are nice and big so that should help but YMMV. good luck!

Reactions: 1

socal_jack

· #20 · Jan 12, 2022

Trail Boss 29x2.6 F/R

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