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Is 2.1" front tyre too narrow
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
I normally run a 2.35 ignitor (tubed) on the front but changing to UST after a very sad pinch flat last night.
I can get a cheap new LUST Ignitor for $30. However it's only 2.1 and I've read these are possibly thinner than stated. So is this going to be grippy and robust enough around the KC and the jumps on Loco, Lancaster etc?
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I would stick with the wider tire, especially if you like jumping etc. The 2.1 Ignitor is like a pizza cutter
Yeah, Maxxis tend to be a little smaller than their number suggests. Go 2.35.
I used to run a 2.35 LUST ignitor, great sidewall protection, zero punctures.
I've gone wider, never looked back. Now - I digress to rim size which is in reality is the same topic. Very similar at least...
Personally, I'm now on 28mm wide rims (24mm internal width) with 2.25 Kratos up front. The difference in a straight line is almost nil, but very obvious when leaning the bike over. The 2.25 bags out nicely with the wider rim. My last rim was 19mm internal, and although the difference is just 5mm, the feel & grip mid corner is much better on the wider rims.
Check out this...
http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Tech-Tuesday--Wider...
2.1 Ignitor is way undersized. 2.35 is a good match for a normal 2.1 rear. Example: I used to run 26x2.35 Ignitor front with a 2.0 Larsen TT rear and it was a really good balance for most trail conditions around the Northern beaches and NSW North Coast.
These days I run Schwalbes at 2.25 each end. The bigger bag on the rear seems to offer better rolling resistance off road.
yes
ChrisChris,
how do you find the Kratos? I have been looking at the Rubena tyres and noticed (I'm not a Kalamunda regular due to living in Baldivis) the other day that the Camel Farm stock them.
What are your impressions of the Kratos and are you also running a Rubena on the back?
Is there anyone else in Perth that also stock them?
Thanks
Mike
Get the Hans Dampf Trailstar in 2.35, it is heaps wider and stickier than the Ignitor.
I have only used a handful of tires - so this really isn't the best comparison. I generally ride XC / AM stuff.
I have a 29er Kratos up front & a Scylla on the back. This seems to be quite a common combo. The Kratos is quite smooth in a straight line considering the huge knobs it has, but great grip in the loose stuff. (I have a greyline Kratos, supposedly softer rubber, better grip)
I'm running tubeless with 21psi in the front, and 25 in the rear. Best combo I've had. I'd never go back to Ignitor/Crossmark again. The Hans Dempf has great reviews too - but I haven't tried that. The Rubena tires are quite good weight wise too. You can order them direct from the Rubena AU website. I got mine from LBS.
EDIT: When the front Kratos gets a little worn, I'm going to try it on the rear. Should be good for climbing loose stuff.
The newer tyres like the Ardent and Ikon are more true to size. My Ardent 2.25 is wider than an Igniter 2.35.
You can pick up a LUST Ardent 2.25 relatively cheap if you look around. Ardent are my preferred trail tyres with Ikons as the race tyres or a combo, Ardent/Ikon.
... are small for the nominal size. Their 2.25s are more like 2.0 or small 2.1 in other brands.
I've used their Kratos and Scylla 26er rubber and while it was ok for grip and rolling resistance the impact of the smaller bag was noticeable. I think Schwalbes and Maxxis are better. The only qualification to my view is I was riding the single compound tyres not the Greyline dual compound. With tackier shoulder lugs they may be better.
Tubeless setup couldnt have been easier and they are light and tough. Currently they're sitting on my commuter hardtail and while not the best for rolling resistance compared to the Michelins I had they do the allrounder trail and pavement role well with no unpleasant surprises.
However for performance off road I've switched back to Schwalbe Nobby nic and/or racing ralph.
The Hans Dampf sticks like snot to a glove but all that grip comes at the price of a weight penalty: 900-ish grams per end for a 29er compared to 700 or so for nobby nic or 545 for a tubeless ready RaRa
For trail riding in the hills there's still little to compare to the Ignitor 2.35 / Crossmark 2.1 combo, they're relatively cheap, grip well & take a pounding.
As mentioned above the Ignitor is an old design & comes up small so the 2.35 is more like a 2.2.
The old High roller was small & the Ardent is big for stated size.
The LUST versions are the toughest but a bit porky, the new EXO & TLR versions of the Maxxis range save a bit of weight & are easily inflated tubeless.
I have used that Rubena combo in 26 & 29 & rate them highly, they grip well & are lighter but they aren't as tough.
Schwalbe are imho great performers but expensive & fast wearing. For me the 2.25 Nic/Ralph combo in Snakeskin ticks all of the boxes.
The Hans Dampf is a fantastic tyre grip wise but is a monster. I think that unless you run wide rims the benefits are wasted.
Another lesser seen tyre here in WA is Continental. The Vertical is essentially an Ignitor tread and works just as well. They all used to come up a bit small but apparently the new ones are more in line with others. I love the Mnt King 2 & Race king but don't rate the X king.
I have some Mnt King 2.4 protections & a Trail king on the way right now so will check them out for the hills.
Bottom line - fork up the extra $24 & get the 2.35 Ignitor
T
Bugger. Ok it will be the 2.35 Ignitor, or maybe the 2.2 Nobby Nic paired with my Crossmark 2.1
The Hans looks ok but is too heavy. And the Continentals look good but I prefer to stay with something proven locally. And never even heard of Rubena.
I picked up an Ignitor 2.35 from Pushies for $50 delivered in 2 days. If you spend 100 clams postage is free. Highly recommend them
Wow I never realised my 2.1 front was holding me back so much. Does this mean if I go to a fat tyre up front I can put off getting a 29er? Look out Strava!
If you are rough riding, as others here suggest, then 2.35 is the way to go. Although I would say that's the minimum.
If all you use your bike for is fun riding with no training rides or racing, go something even fatter like 2.4 or 2.5 up front. They kick ass for grip. There is nothing like it. I use a tubeless 2.5 Minion on both a Reign and an Uzzi and they stick like sh-t.
The ignitor is my xc tyre so dont want too go wide and slow me down even more. I do have a set of minions for dh shuttles. Great tyres but weigh a ton.
Was seriously considering giving the nobby nics a go but given i do like the jumps probably just stick with the more robust ignitors.
I have one here in unused condition. Never mounted. Universal System Tubeless. 2.35 ish from memory. Yes the tread is very much like the Ignitor. How does $25 post paid sound?
ok, I'm interested. How heavy is it? There's one that is quite light and another thats almost 1kg
My analog kitchen scales show it to be around 825g. The sidewall says 26x2.3.
Its not a 550g race tyre, but then it will be much less likely to suffer a sidewall cut at the furthest possible point from the trail head - like happened to me once with a certain other popular brand ... lol!
PM and we'll organise getting it to you
You can never put off going 29er. It is the future. 26" wheels are so 2012
I've decided to go with what I know and stick with 2.35 Ignitors but thanks anyway Hawkeye.
And I'm still stuck in the 80s so 26" is still high tech for me