Levo 19 with 27.5 wheels - narrower tyre query

[StuR]

Ive been running my Levo 19 with 27.5 wheels - 2.8 Magic Mary front and 2.8 butcher grid rear all summer
Personally I really like that set up , it may not be to other riders taste but it works for me and I'm not really inclined to debate the rights and wrongs of it .
Ive lengthed the fork to 160mm and flipped the shock chip to High in an effort to keep the bottom bracket height and geometry as close as possible to original .
The combined height of a 27.5 wheel with the sidewall height of around 68mm of a 2.8 tyre isn't too far away from a 29er with 2.6 tyre.

But here's my issue -
I'm finding both 2.8 tyres pretty useless now conditions have got muddy and sloppy
Ive resorted back to 29ers with 2.6 Magic Mary's front and rear which definitely help.
The sidewall height is approx 62mm and combined with 29s is fine and means I can set the flip chip low as well If I wish with no problem

However , I really would prefer to use my 27.5 wheels with an even narrower tyre but im concerned that combined with a lower sidewall height this would result in the bottom bracket height being way to low and would cause issues hitting obstacles with the motor housing , and/or pedal strikes .

I have fitted a bash guard and appreciate I could fit shorter cranks .
Additionally, a Mullet set up is an option but I'd be really interested to hear experiences of anyone running 27.5 narrower tyres (2.3 - 2.6 ) with shallower sidewall on a 19 or 20 Levo

Thanks

 

[outerlimits]

I have a 2018 Levo and it come with 27.5 x 2.8. I now run 2.6’s and not only is it great, I also don’t notice the lower bb height. And really we are only talking 5mm drop anyway.

Calculations reveal the wheel and tyre diameter of the following
27.5 x 2.8- 725.24mm
27.5 x 2.6- 715.08

29x 2.6- 754.0
2.5- 749.0
2.4- 743.92
2.3- 738.84
2.25- 736.30

As for flip chips and geometry changes ?‍
tyre brands can differ and tyre pressures can also differ the results ?

 

[escrs]

Im running 27.5 wheels with a Maxxis DHR2 2.4WT tyre on the rear and a DHF 2.5WT tyre on the front
Forks still running at 150mm for the moment, flip chip in the high position

Ive had a couple of pedal strikes but i think that's more because i tend to start pedaling as i come out of a corner rather than wait till im fully out

 

[StuR]

I have a 2018 Levo and it come with 27.5 x 2.8. I now run 2.6’s and not only is it great, I also don’t notice the lower bb height. And really we are only talking 5mm drop anyway.

Calculations reveal the wheel and tyre diameter of the following
27.5 x 2.8- 725.24mm
27.5 x 2.6- 715.08

29x 2.6- 754.0
2.5- 749.0
2.4- 743.92
2.3- 738.84
2.25- 736.30

As for flip chips and geometry changes ?‍
tyre brands can differ and tyre pressures can also differ the results ?

Some useful info- thanks

 

[Mcharza]

Yep, stop thinking like a mathematician. Change the tyres and go riding

 

[lookhear]

Go 279 (Mullet) - it's the best setup I've run (with a 160mm fork)
Stick a 2.5 or 2.6 27.5 on the back and 2.5/2.4 29er on the front.
In the video he explains the height change (flip chip set to high) with numbers.

Do it.
Article:
27.5 Rear & 29er Front wheel-size combo | All you need to know - Bike Network

Videos:

 

[StuR]

Yep, stop thinking like a mathematician. Change the tyres and go riding

More concerned with battering the undercarriage of my bike than maths.
Regularly get to ride my bike on proper trails at least 2 or 3 times a week but thanks for your concern and valuable input ?

 

[StuR]

Go 279 (Mullet) - it's the best setup I've run (with a 160mm fork)
Stick a 2.5 or 2.6 27.5 on the back and 2.5/2.4 29er on the front.
In the video he explains the height change (flip chip set to high) with numbers.

Do it.
Article:
27.5 Rear & 29er Front wheel-size combo | All you need to know - Bike Network

Videos:

Going to try Mullet set up tomorrow on a big ride
Already had some 27.5 wheels and some 2.6 Magic Mary's which should help in the muddy conditions im expecting
If I like the setup I'll play around with other tyres over the next few wks
Thanks for the headsup Dude ?

 

[Simoto123]

Hi, I run 27.5 x 2.6 on 18 Levo. Big improvement after the orthopaedic 2.8 training wheels.
mary up front and butch trailing obediently. Love the combo. I have a 29 front available with a narrower butcher, it’ll be tried when my forks come back from tf later this week. Mostly mud, with rocks and root for variety here in northern England.
i kinda miss the comfort of the balloons but the bouncing affect when braking downhill was terrifyin!