Another tyre (size) question

[MartinW148]

Sorry for yet another tyre question.

I want to change the tyres on my Focus Jam c plus from the 2.8+ tyres it currently has.
Already chosen the tyre make as i want to change to the Michelin E-wilds, but I want to fit something narrower than the current plus size ones.

Question is can I fit 2.5's to my rims safely.

Rims are described as 'Race Face AR40, 584-40, Novatec, 148x12 mm / 110x15 mm' so I'm going to assume that's a 40mm external rim, so maybe 35mm internal?

Anyone else made this change? I am already running tubeless.


Thanks
Martin

 

[Tooks]

I ran 2.5s on my AR40s, they’re 40mm internal width.

2.5” tyres are still 62.5mm wide, they’re fine on even 40mm rims.

 

[steve_sordy]

@MartinW148 This link to the WTB website gives a really useful chart on which tyres fit which rims.

Tire & Rim Fit Chart

One chart for ordinary bikes and one especially for mtb

Your rims are optimal for 2.5 - 2.8 and compatible for much more.

 

[MartinW148]

I ran 2.5s on my AR40s, they’re 40mm internal width.

2.5” tyres are still 62.5mm wide, they’re fine on even 40mm rims.

Thanks for that.

How small do you think you can go before the tyre squares off?

 

[Tooks]

Thanks for that.

How small do you think you can go before the tyre squares off?

I think the answer is it depends.

Tyre widths seem to vary by brand, I have some Kenda tyres at 2.4” on another bike, and they seem wider than the Maxxis 2.5” I was running on the AR40s.

Depending on the tyre, I probably wouldn’t go smaller than 2.3” as you run the risk of damaging the rims I think, which are a lot more expensive to replace than a tyre.

I’m running the Maxxis 2.5” on a set of Flow S1 rims now, internal width 29mm, and they seem a better match.

 

[MartinW148]

Anyone running Michelin E-Wild 2.6's?

 

[GrahamPaul]

Anyone running Michelin E-Wild 2.6's?

Try this thread. There are loads of comments about the E-Wild, including in 2.6, and just about every other tyre on the planet.

What tyres? The Ultimate Tyre Thread - EMTB Forums

 

[MartinW148]

Try this thread. There are loads of comments about the E-Wild, including in 2.6, and just about every other tyre on the planet.

What tyres? The Ultimate Tyre Thread - EMTB Forums

Thanks I have read some of this already, I just wondered if anyone had run these on a focis jam2 as I'm sure tyres behave differently on different makes

Thanks
M

 

[GrahamPaul]

Thanks I have read some of this already, I just wondered if anyone had run these on a focis jam2 as I'm sure tyres behave differently on different makes

Thanks
M

Quite likely. I've just switched to Nobby Nicks on my Jam² because the Maxxis Rekons it came supplied with gave me no grip in the conditions here. First impressions are much more grippy, but they ride differently to my clockwork bike.

Decided against the E-Wild because it seems to be very poor for "loose over hard", which is our standard condition. Seems to be more of a "soft, wet and muddy" tyre.

 

[MartinW148]

Quite likely. I've just switched to Nobby Nicks on my Jam² because the Maxxis Rekons it came supplied with gave me no grip in the conditions here. First impressions are much more grippy, but they ride differently to my clockwork bike.

Decided against the E-Wild because it seems to be very poor for "loose over hard", which is our standard condition. Seems to be more of a "soft, wet and muddy" tyre.

Thanks, I have very similar conditions, loose gravel over hard packed. I think I will look around instead of getting the e-wild's if they aren't the best for that type of terrain.

I'm on that unhappy with the grip on the Rekons, but I want to go to a 2.6 max tyre width from the 2.8+ for better front end feel (especially at slow speed).

 

[PJ27]

Thanks, I have very similar conditions, loose gravel over hard packed. I think I will look around instead of getting the e-wild's if they aren't the best for that type of terrain.

I'm on that unhappy with the grip on the Rekons, but I want to go to a 2.6 max tyre width from the 2.8+ for better front end feel (especially at slow speed).

I agree with the lack of grip with the Reckons. I will run the Reckons on the back only until they wear out then look to swap.

I changed the front to a Specialised Eliminator Grid 29 x 2.6 (actually measures 2.4 inflated) on Focus Jam2 6.8 Nine. On the limited rides so far in mixed conditions (Aust - soft, wet, hard surfaces) it has improved the front end feel and find it has solid grip. I decided on this tyre based on some positive feedback/ reviews, price from LBS, in stock and all black tyre looks good on my all black bike (IMO!)

 

[Albez]

I'm in the same predicament with my tyres as I feel the 2.8 plus on my jam2 are too big. Will it mean more pedal strikes though if I changes to a 2.6 for instance?

 

[GrahamPaul]

I'm in the same predicament with my tyres as I feel the 2.8 plus on my jam2 are too big. Will it mean more pedal strikes though if I changes to a 2.6 for instance?

Can't see how that would make a huge amount of difference. The tyre's not circular, but the width to height is probably around 2:1 ish. So a 0.2" difference in width would work out at around 0.1" in height. Which comes out at around 2mm (more of less the white bit of my thumbnail when I've cleaned the oil out of it). You get more difference than that changing from 25% to 30% suspension sag.

 

[MartinW148]

I think the answer is it depends.

Tyre widths seem to vary by brand, I have some Kenda tyres at 2.4” on another bike, and they seem wider than the Maxxis 2.5” I was running on the AR40s.

Depending on the tyre, I probably wouldn’t go smaller than 2.3” as you run the risk of damaging the rims I think, which are a lot more expensive to replace than a tyre.

I’m running the Maxxis 2.5” on a set of Flow S1 rims now, internal width 29mm, and they seem a better match.

How do you find the S1 rims?

I am considering changing the whole set up so I have a spare set of wheels and tyres to throw on the bike.

Thanks

 

[Tooks]

How do you find the S1 rims?

I am considering changing the whole set up so I have a spare set of wheels and tyres to throw on the bike.

Thanks

I’ve only put about 100 miles on them so far, but no complaints.

They’ve stayed true, the rim tape and supplied valves sealed perfectly with the Stans fluid (took more time to seal the tyres, but they were my choice) and apart from an especially clicky free hub, I’m happy.

Same as you, I wanted a spare set of wheels to throw on rather than mess about changing tyres with a tubeless setup.

I don’t think they’re the lightest option out there, but then me and my bike aren’t either!