Focus jam2 6.8 plus maxxis recon 2.8 tyres..

[MisterMT]

So, I am learning my bike, what works for me what doesn't, and I have had a few occasions now where I have slipped, where I would not have expected to on my old hardtail (2.4 tyres).

Now in no way am I an expert rider, so I would assume that this is a question of me getting used to how to handle the greater weight of this bike in different conditions. Ie blame the riding not the tool.

However, I have also seen a couple of reviews of this bike complaining about the tyres, saying they don’t grip enough, suggesting to change them out.

I plan to learn more before doing this - they look chunky and good enough to me - but interested in what experience others may have had.

 

[DrStupid]

I've not tried the recon on the front, but it's not very grippy on the back especially when leaned over imo

 

[MisterMT]

I've not tried the recon on the front, but it's not very grippy on the back especially when leaned over imo

Yes, this is what I am finding. It slips when I lean beyond a certain level. But that could also be a function of the weight distribution of the bike, going at the right speed etc.

 

[BBear]

MMT I had exactly the same problem with the recons on my Focus lost the front wheel a couple of times and rear wheel slipping on climbs when I didn’t think it should have - changed to Minions and no problems since. Depends what ground conditions you have I guess...

 

[steve_sordy]

@MisterMT I had 29 x 2.6" Maxxis Rekon 3C EXO Maxx Terra TR on the front and the single compound on the rear. The Rekons are a great summer tyre, and the spec the bike came with was a good one. But I could not get on with them at all. I started riding them in Jan and the first thing I did was to go tubeless as I'm a long term fan of that. But still the rear was spinning out on climbs and the whole bike was sliding about. I tried a variety of type pressures, as you do, but still not happy.

Long story short, I went for 29 x 2.5" Maxxis High Roller II 3C WT Maxx Terra EXO TR front and rear. The tyre highly recommended on here is the Maxxis Minion. But I find that the HRII has a slightly wider range of trails, plus I'd had experience of them before on my YT Capra.
The difference vs the Rekons was astonishing.

You should be able to get wider ones than the ones I went for, to better suit your plus bike.

 

[Stanny_uk]

Just changed mine out on my 6.8 to minion dhr2... 2.6 maxx terra exo wt.
Night and day....

 

[MisterMT]

Thank you all. Seems I am not alone then. It’s the wet sloppy mud and leaves that’s the challenge. Lots of good advice here. I see that people arent going for the full 2.8 width then, with the jam2 plus? (Which is 27.5).

 

[BBear]

Mine are 2.8’s

 

[Stanny_uk]

Thank you all. Seems I am not alone then. It’s the wet sloppy mud and leaves that’s the challenge. Lots of good advice here. I see that people arent going for the full 2.8 width then, with the jam2 plus? (Which is 27.5).

You. Ll find that's due to choice.. Less 2.8 out there and big€$$$$ Michelin e wilds get good reviews.. Not starship money..

 

[MisterMT]

Thanks. I am tempted by the minions then (maybe in front, with high roller on the back) 2.8 size... description seems to tally with my local conditions.

So, do people recommend tubeless?

in the meantime, maybe I’ll try my rekons a bit more with a little less air...

 

[DrStupid]

Went tubeless on all 3 of the ebikes in my household without regret as I've had zero trouble related to it.

Myself, I like the wide tires especially on the back where I can run lower pressure.

I've still got the rekons on back and I dont mind them though I wouldn't buy them of choice either. They bite ok standing up (climbing) with about 18 psi, and I like the back of the bike to be looser than the front when leaned over, so it's a decent rear tire for me. Just decent.