26x4.0 vs 29x2.25
09-20-20, 10:04 PM
#1
Jet Jockey
Thread Starter
26x4.0 vs 29x2.25
I live in the Twin Cities, MN.
My 700x35 studs really struggle with the ice ruts that form on the roads after the cars drive through, and things re-freeze. 26x4.0 does good in the winter, but the rest of the year I don't really ride it. And I'd kind of like to consolidate the stable.
Will 29x2.25ish studs handle the ice ruts and "mashed potatoes?"
My 700x35 studs really struggle with the ice ruts that form on the roads after the cars drive through, and things re-freeze. 26x4.0 does good in the winter, but the rest of the year I don't really ride it. And I'd kind of like to consolidate the stable.
Will 29x2.25ish studs handle the ice ruts and "mashed potatoes?"
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12-06-20, 08:36 PM
#2
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Also living in Mn, my experience with 2" tires was pretty bad. They float around on top of the snow enough that traction is a problem (compared to skinnier versions). But they aren't wide enough or float enough to be maintain their own balance and stay above the snow, like fat tires do.
The 45nrth Gravdals seemed to be the best tires for grip, short of a fat bike. Definitely not the fastest, but they seemed to be the grippiest and best able to handle mixed snow/ice/rut conditions.
It's always possible my experience with 2" Nokians wasn't typical but I sold them as I wasn't wasn't a fan. Looks like came out with Kavha 2.2" now, maybe they have a better design or something.
The 45nrth Gravdals seemed to be the best tires for grip, short of a fat bike. Definitely not the fastest, but they seemed to be the grippiest and best able to handle mixed snow/ice/rut conditions.
It's always possible my experience with 2" Nokians wasn't typical but I sold them as I wasn't wasn't a fan. Looks like came out with Kavha 2.2" now, maybe they have a better design or something.
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12-07-20, 10:01 AM
#3
Mad bike riding scientist
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I live in the Twin Cities, MN.
My 700x35 studs really struggle with the ice ruts that form on the roads after the cars drive through, and things re-freeze. 26x4.0 does good in the winter, but the rest of the year I don't really ride it. And I'd kind of like to consolidate the stable.
Will 29x2.25ish studs handle the ice ruts and "mashed potatoes?"
My 700x35 studs really struggle with the ice ruts that form on the roads after the cars drive through, and things re-freeze. 26x4.0 does good in the winter, but the rest of the year I don't really ride it. And I'd kind of like to consolidate the stable.
Will 29x2.25ish studs handle the ice ruts and "mashed potatoes?"
The problem isn’t the tires (necessarily) but the bike. Ice and snow isn’t all that different from rocks and sand (with some obvious differences). Approach it as a mountain bike problem and throw suspension at it. A suspension fork will make the ruts easier to navigate and rear suspension would add traction. 35mm probably isn’t going to cut it but wider studs with suspension would. It has for me for the better part of 25 years.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
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Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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12-19-20, 07:15 AM
#6
Senior Member
Ice Spiker Pro is available in 27.5 x 2.6. If I was forced to consolidate my fat / mountain bike I'd probably end up with a 27.5+ bike.
