Tyre Widths

[Giff]

I’ve just had my 1st puncture since going tubeless last year. Only fairly low speed on a canal path but a fairly large tear in the face of the tyre.
I was keeping close to home as per advice.

I ordered a new tyre as I had Maxxis High Roller ll’s 29 x 2.5 front and rear.

Without noticing I ordered a 2.3 and have fitted it to the rear. Is there an issue with this combination. ?

 

[steve_sordy]

You will probably use less battery!

 

[Giff]

Great. It does seem ok and possibly less drag on the road... So question 2..Why fit a wider tyre on the rear ?

 

[steve_sordy]

As far as I'm concerned the rear tyre is there for uphill traction. When it's dry, no problem, pretty much anything will do. But in adverse conditions you need some grip. But suitable grip has been provided for decades on much narrower tyres than 2.3"!. So why so wide?
Some of it is fashion! Some of it is undoubtedly cushioning. Tyres are the first part of your suspension and there is little doubt in my mind that a big tyre with low pressure certainly does remove a lot of trail chatter and smooths out the sharp edges of rocks and irons out small roots. But it's a balance, because big soft tyres use up energy, can compromise steering if done to excess and take longer to spin up to speed and change direction. You can get the traction with narrower tyres by going for a soft compound, but then the life is short. As I said it's a balance, some say compromise!

Some riders on here go for almost full fat tyres with a soft compound, all they want is grip, grip and more grip! Others go to the other extreme, they want speed, springiness, a poppy ride, maximum range. There are all shades in between. But all are happy with their own personal compromise.

 

[Bomble]

Some surprising results in this test. Also Specialized bb is 12mm lower than listed on their geo chart! Non Ebike btw
What’s the fastest tyre size for mountain biking?

 

[Giff]

Thanks Steve That is really well explained and makes sense now.
Might be a good exercise to see the difference. It is surprising that it does look a lot skinnier than the 2.5. G.