Tyre size front and rear maximum diference recomended?

outerlimits

E*POWAH BOSS
Founding Member
Feb 3, 2018
1,241
1,575
Australia
I may at one stage put a 2.8 up front and a 2.6 rear. I think it will be fine, but only one way to tell.
If it rides fine and you like it, who cares about numbers and trends ?‍♂️
 

outerlimits

E*POWAH BOSS
Founding Member
Feb 3, 2018
1,241
1,575
Australia
when ur talking 2.8 to 2.6 ur talking about a few mm , it would be better looking for a better tread and side wall tyre , watch this vid from the 1.30 mark
I was tearing at the bead Maxxis EXO walls and Spesh Grids. I could not find a 2.8 in a down hill casing.
I’ve just switched to Spesh Eliminators in 2.6 with the dh Black Dimond case rear and Grid case front and like so far. Feels a little lighter and more playful maybe, but it’s proberly the lighter steering that’s most noticeable to a degree.
 
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steve_sordy

Wedding Crasher
Nov 5, 2018
9,017
9,456
Lincolnshire, UK
I don't have my emtb yet, but I find the question of interest.

On clockwork bikes, it is usual to recommend a front tyre that has more grip than the rear so that on fast bends, the rear gives way first. Rear wheels slides are easier to recover from.

emtbs are different of course, so when I see wider rear tyres I assume that it is to reduce rear wheel spin out on steep slopes. But surely you still need the rear wheel to give way first on fast bends? Bearing in mind that there is a good chance that you might be going a bit faster on an emtb and more likely to slide out.

Is there a consensus on this?
 

R120

Moderator
Subscriber
Apr 13, 2018
7,819
9,190
Surrey
The only thing I would say about tyres for EMTB's is that the IMO use the same logic you would for a normal bike, the only thing worth factoring in is going to a tougher carcass due to the weight etc.

I have never felt the need for more grip due to the extra "power"of an EMTB.
 

steve_sordy

Wedding Crasher
Nov 5, 2018
9,017
9,456
Lincolnshire, UK
So it's the same for emtb as it is for clockwork bikes then? If that is the general view then I am relieved that is one less new thing for me to to fall foul of.

My current clockwork bike came with a grippy front and a fast rolling rear tyre. Great for the summer, but in the wetter conditions of Autumn and beyond the rear spun out when climbing out of bomb-holes. A change to a grippier tyre fixed that, but it is still more free rolling than the front tyre. So, as with clockwork bikes, getting the emtb tyres right is a matter of educated choice. :)
 

outerlimits

E*POWAH BOSS
Founding Member
Feb 3, 2018
1,241
1,575
Australia
I don't have my emtb yet, but I find the question of interest.

On clockwork bikes, it is usual to recommend a front tyre that has more grip than the rear so that on fast bends, the rear gives way first. Rear wheels slides are easier to recover from.

emtbs are different of course, so when I see wider rear tyres I assume that it is to reduce rear wheel spin out on steep slopes. But surely you still need the rear wheel to give way first on fast bends? Bearing in mind that there is a good chance that you might be going a bit faster on an emtb and more likely to slide out.

Is there a consensus on this?
Recently went from the 2.8 to 2.6 with less aggressive tread.
Went on a ride Saturday with some super strong riders. I powered up the steep loose climbs while they walked. Never thought i’d need more traction of a wider tyre on the rear on that ride.
Front is 2.6 as well. I think it’s more to do with the tread and casing each end than small diferances in width.
 

Doomanic

🛠️Wrecker🛠️
Patreon
Founding Member
Jan 21, 2018
8,735
10,399
UK
What about the bikes that are coming with 27.5+ rear and 29 fronts?
The Fantic Integra and Spectral:ON have 2.5 fr and 2.8 rr.
 

Swissrider

Well-known member
Nov 1, 2018
368
384
Switzerland
I have maxis 2.6 on front, as I read that going from 2.8 would give a better feel. TBH, I can’t really feel much difference. I’ve got maxis 2.8 on rear and have great grip and not had the back step out. Apart from noise on tarmac this is a great setup.
 

Gary

Old Tartan Bollocks
Author
Subscriber
Mar 29, 2018
10,496
10,702
the internet
No. Einstein
Not all my tyres are run at 40psi.
some are run as low as 27psi while others are run as high as 125psi.
all do fall somewhere in between those pressures
 

urastus

⚡The Whippet⚡
May 4, 2020
1,548
995
Tasmania
I have a mullet and less travel on the rear, so want a bigger rear tyre. I've inherited a near new dhrII 2.8 exo - it has a cut in it. I'm going to patch it and try it out - I run a tannus in the rear for soft exo casing tyres, so should be good. I've got some steep, loose, technical climbs - I tend to get through everything now, but it will still be interesting.
 

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