What tires on your 2019 LEVO?

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gaba

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I've always ridden Maxxis Minion DHRII 2.3 with a DHF 2.5 up front (3C Maxterra EXO) on my Enduro. Im thinking of swapping the tires that came on the Levo to this combo. Also, I've never really used tires wider than this. I was thinking with the aid of the motor, why not try wider tires? What tire widths are you finding work best on the Levo and why? I ride flowy single track, rocky descents, steeps etc. Thanks.
 
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I just ride the stock Butchers (29x2.6) with CushCore fitted front and back. 2500km, no issues at all, general trail, some rocky stuff and bike park. When rear wears out I'll try a Black Dmnd casing.
 
I just put a new Butcher Black Diamond on the rear - Haven't had a chance to try it yet. It's a little bit more volume and heavier but the local trails had trashed my rear Butcher Grid after 700 miles.
It was amazing how many holes and splits had been fixed with clumps of Stans - I counted around 18 - you get to see them when you look inside the tire!
Looking forward to trying the BD with 22-23 PSI.

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I put 2500mi on my Butchers with cushcore. The rear tire was looking pretty worn, then last week I got a nice size puncture that wouldn't seal up with a plug.
I replaced with Minion DHR and DHF 2.6. So far they are better/same as butchers but have more off center traction here in hard packed dusty southern california.
 
i was looking for low profile tires so i can ride the bike also w/o motor support for long distance tours. there are not too many at 29”/2.6”. finally i found these...

MEZCAL
 
muzzman1 said:
I put 2500mi on my Butchers with cushcore. The rear tire was looking pretty worn, then last week I got a nice size puncture that wouldn't seal up with a plug.
I replaced with Minion DHR and DHF 2.6. So far they are better/same as butchers but have more off center traction here in hard packed dusty southern california.
Click to expand...

Are u running cushcore in the minions? I’ve never used cushcore. What benefits are u finding? Worth it?
 
Ive ridden the 2019 levo with the stock butchers, EC front and rear and EC rear and MM on front. The butchers suck balls. The other combos are great and come down to personal preference.
 
Coming from Minions DHF(2.5)/DHRII(2.3) on my other bike, I wasn't happy with the butchers on my 2019 Levo Expert. They squirm way too much when cornering hard or riding off camber rock. Feels like the knobs are too tall and give way under load. I recently switched out the Butchers to Minion DHF/DHRII (3C, Maxterra, Exo+) 29x2.6 and I'm much happier. Better grip, no tire squirm when cornering, and better small bump compliance. I run my tires tubeless.
 
I run black diamond butcher rear and hill billy upfront, very heavy tyres tho but great grip. My mate loves the stock butchers and the fact you can have 2 for the price of 1 black diamond. The stock defo roll way faster and better battery life than the black diamond versions. I run tubeless and aroun 27-29psi and have had no troubles so far,500+ miles in and the rear is showing sign of wear so I’ll be looking to replace with a faster rolling tyre for sure.
 
gaba said:
Are u running cushcore in the minions? I’ve never used cushcore. What benefits are u finding? Worth it?
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Yes! It's pretty amazing all the cushcore benefits:
No more pinch flats. When I run lower than 20psi at times and at those pressures, the sidewalls don't roll over. I have never heard my wheel "ping" on rocks when flying down trails since installation.
I've been in a situation where my sealant ran out, had a leak, and was able to ride back to my place with enough support from the cushcore to act as if it was a "run flat" (I don't think anyone would recommend this)
It's 1000% worth the $150.
 
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muzzman1 said:
Yes! It's pretty amazing all the cushcore benefits:
No more pinch flats. When I run lower than 20psi at times and at those pressures, the sidewalls don't roll over. I have never heard my wheel "ping" on rocks when flying down trails since installation.
I've been in a situation where my sealant ran out, had a leak, and was able to ride back to my place with enough support from the cushcore to ask as if it was a "run flat" (I don't think anyone would recommend this)
It's 1000% worth the $150.
Click to expand...
I'd second that. Cushcore allows me to run a relatively low psi (20F/24R) for my weight (124kg/272lbs) with no noticeable squirming, but still plenty of traction on off cambers and climbing up rock gardens.
 
I mounted "sporty" Michelin Wild Enduro in 2.4 dimension. The look and work fantastic!
 
ReikoW said:
i was looking for low profile tires so i can ride the bike also w/o motor support for long distance tours. there are not too many at 29”/2.6”. finally i found these...

MEZCAL
Click to expand...
maxxis rekon
bontrager xr2
spec fast trak
 
As the original poster asked, "why not run wider tires?" With an Ebike, a 700 Watt battery, Cushcore, and the LSS, there is no downside. The obvious upside is better traction and more confidence on the steep rolls that abound in my riding area. Through trial and error, I have found that a 3.0 will fir on the front and a 2.8 on the rear.
 
davarello said:
I'd second that. Cushcore allows me to run a relatively low psi (20F/24R) for my weight (124kg/272lbs) with no noticeable squirming, but still plenty of traction on off cambers and climbing up rock gardens.
Click to expand...

I am about 75KGs and run 14psi Front and 18psi Rear unless I know it will be rocky, then I add a few psi to both ends!

I think Cushcore is great, as low pressure transforms the way the bike rolls over small square edge rocks which I have lots of on my trails.
 
Minion DHF and Aggressor rear currently and will switch to Rekon F & R when the dry weather arrives.
 
2.5 Minion DHF on the front now, stock 2.6 Butcher on the rear (not tough but it got around Coed Y Brenin OK this weekend).

I had a 2.6 HillBilly on the front, OK but a bit balloony, the profile is noticeably bigger than the Butcher and Minion. So not sure what I'll do with it.

One thing I like about the Minion is the rounder profile - Spesh tyres always look to have a square profile to me.

I'll look for something more blocky from Maxxis for the rear when the weather turns wet. Any ideas?
 
Maxxis Aggressor 2.5 WT rear and Assegai 2.5 WT on the front. DT Swiss HX1501 wheels.
 
Tried Bontrager XR2, but removed after 20 kms, no confidence.
Ikon 29x2,6" EXO rear, also no confidence.
Now running Rekon 29x2,6 (also a 27,5x2,8 set) in EXO+, much more predictable. De double side wall protection gives a lot of added stability.
For heavy trails (not in the area where we live) DHF and DHR EXO+
 
Really not digging the super square profile of the 2.6 Butcher stock on the Expert. Have been used to running 2.35 Magic Mary front and Hans Dampf 2.35 Super Gravity on the rear on my trail bike (non ebike). Just ordered a 2.6 Addix Apex casing Magic Mary for the front (that tire sits right between the Snakeskin and Super Gravity casing type). A 2.6 Eddy Current rear tire. Thinking this setup will work pretty well. Plenty of heft and durability for the rear to not shear knobs hopefully and could be enough support for the front without excess weight.

Really wish Schwalbe had the Eddy Current in 2.4 29er options both front and rear. I haven't yet totally embraced the 2.6 width but hoping that on a more familiar front tire, the cornering will feel more normal.
 
Funny thing. Always run dhf dhr or double dhf.
19 Levo came with the butchers obviously. First ride hated them. Squirmy, just yuk.

Realised that I had to run a bit more pressure in them with trial and error.

Can’t fault them now. Would even put them back on. Was thinking about the eliminators when the rear wears out... but may not. And the spesh tyres are so cheap. Never thought I would say that about anything from Specialized
 
daju said:
As the original poster asked, "why not run wider tires?" With an Ebike, a 700 Watt battery, Cushcore, and the LSS, there is no downside. The obvious upside is better traction and more confidence on the steep rolls that abound in my riding area. Through trial and error, I have found that a 3.0 will fir on the front and a 2.8 on the rear.
Click to expand...
interested in 29/2.8s front and rear.
while i'm sure the front will fit, the rear is pretty tight already with stock 29/2.6.

which tires did you have on the rear at 2.8?
and also - how did it affect the handling and geo as it rises everything up a bit?
 
miPbiP said:
2.5 Minion DHF on the front now, stock 2.6 Butcher on the rear (not tough but it got around Coed Y Brenin OK this weekend).

I had a 2.6 HillBilly on the front, OK but a bit balloony, the profile is noticeably bigger than the Butcher and Minion. So not sure what I'll do with it.

One thing I like about the Minion is the rounder profile - Spesh tyres always look to have a square profile to me.

I'll look for something more blocky from Maxxis for the rear when the weather turns wet. Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Maxxis Minion DHR2
 
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