Tire Choice: 27.5", 2.6-3.0 width, For Pavement & Off-road?

[smorgasbord]

My wife and I have full-suspension eBikes. We do a variety of rides, but we're not heavy technical off-road riding with jumping and such (those days are behind us now), and I don't want to be swapping tires - besides some of our rides have us riding double digit on-road miles to get to the off-road sections. One of our bikes has DHF/DHR tires (great for off-road, but not for pavement) - the other has Maxxis Chronicles (which apparently aren't made in the 27.5" size anymore). They are 2.8-3.0 width, which we like.

I'm currently thinking of Smart Sams. Here are the choices in our size:

Since we'll be using Tannus Armour, I'm not concerned about flat protection (hence I don't care about the Smart Sam Plus and beside they don't come wide enough). Do I care that much about wire versus folding bead? It's not like we're going to be carrying spare tires with us.

Here's what the tread looks like:

The continuous center bead helps keep them smooth on the road, while the knobbies just off center help with off-road traction.


Thoughts? Any other options in the 27.5x2.60-3.0 size to consider?

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

My wife and I have full-suspension eBikes. We do a variety of rides, but we're not heavy technical off-road riding with jumping and such (those days are behind us now), and I don't want to be swapping tires - besides some of our rides have us riding double digit on-road miles to get to the off-road sections. One of our bikes has DHF/DHR tires (great for off-road, but not for pavement) - the other has Maxxis Chronicles (which apparently aren't made in the 27.5" size anymore). They are 2.8-3.0 width, which we like.

I'm currently thinking of Smart Sams. Here are the choices in our size:

Since we'll be using Tannus Armour, I'm not concerned about flat protection (hence I don't care about the Smart Sam Plus and beside they don't come wide enough). Do I care that much about wire versus folding bead? It's not like we're going to be carrying spare tires with us.

Here's what the tread looks like

The continuous center bead helps keep them smooth on the road, while the knobbies just off center help with off-road traction.


Thoughts? Any other options in the 27.5x2.60-3.0 size to consider?

Smart Sams are great!

The new Hurricane is also wonderful. Check this post.

https://electricbikereview.com/foru...0-hurricane-tires-a-review.31666/#post-243872

there are couple of high quality tires from Maxxis as well.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

I run Smart Sams with good tubes (usually Slime tubes) and haven't had a flat in almost two years.

Probably will switch to Hurricanes this year.

If you aggressively replace your tires and use good quality tires and good quality tubes you won't get many flats.

 

[smorgasbord]

The Hurricanes max out at 2.4" width, and look to be more like "Pavement you can take off-road" rather than "Off road that does decently on-road." Nice to have the choice.

For the Smart Sams, how do I decide between the two options in my size? Why is one $35 while the other is $59?

 

[Allroads]

Just received a pair of Schwalbe Marathon Plus 27.5 (650b) x 2.25 with highest puncture protection 7 and Smartguard. I tried to look for a 2.8 wide but with limited availability. I wanted more durable and level 7. Since I drive mainly on pavement and not gravel I opted for something in the middle.

 

[smorgasbord]

Just to re-iterate - I'm not focused on flat prevention. More on smoothness for on-road and ability to handle some off-road fire roads and dirt trails with roots.

 

[Browneye]

I've got Hurricanes on my shortlist for at least the front of my trance for those roadie rides.
I can change a tire out in minutes with regular tubes, so I stick with what I know.

If you're gonna do mostly smoother surfaces, I think the moto-x is killer. They even come in a 2.8 width which would be perfect for a mtb. I have of those in my amazon cart for $46.
Cheap date.

There's the 'Extra Terrestrial' from Surly that doesn't look too bad either. $60 though.

I've been searching and searching for options as well. Doesn't make sense to burn Minions on the tar.

 

[vincent]

I am running Maxxis minion DHR 2.8 for primarily off-road but take them on the pavement a decent amount and they seem fine to me

really like them on off-road stuff

Not sure if that’s any help

 

[PDoz]

Have you considered maxis recon?

Similar side grip to the dhf/ dhr so when you really need it they bite. ( but nowhere near as good braking upright as dh)
Almost as good rolling as the smart sams.( infinitely better than dhr!)
Slightly better braking upright than ss ( much better leaned over)

There's not much wrong with the smart sams, but I could never quite trust them on tip in - they seemed to let go then regrip in loose rocky dirt. I haven't run them with tannus but suspect that slightly dead feeling might make that feel even worse ( mostly because they felt horrible st low pressure, but I'm drawing a long. bow here)

I'd slip back from dh to recon then only go ss if you still wanted better rolling?

 

[Browneye]

Found another one last night...
Schwalbe Marathon MTB.
I want something I can throw on the front for those days I'll ride the mtb on the road, like for guests, treks, what have you. So the Moto-X looks really good, Hurricane, Super Sam, Surely.

My Trance came with the 'REKON' (yes, it's a 'K') on the back, but I never understood Maxxis DHR/DHF designations. Are they front or rear? Downhill/enduro? The current mystery. LOL Nor their 'EXO' thing - they got a bunch of those designations too. Why not just use plain languange instead of marketing hype??

Here's the Marathon with level 7 flat-proofing, it's a 2.4 size tire for 27.5. Looking for at least a smooth center tread for tar.

 

[smorgasbord]

There's not much wrong with the smart sams, but I could never quite trust them on tip in - they seemed to let go then regrip in loose rocky dirt.

Thanks. Reading some reviews scattered about the interwebs also confirms that there is an issue transitioning from riding on the center line to the side knobbies. Looking at the tread pattern you can maybe kind of see why.

Here's the Marathon with level 7 flat-proofing, it's a 2.4 size tire for 27.5. Looking for at least a smooth center tread for tar.

Yeah, I had seen that, but they don't make it any wider than 2.25 actually. BTW, we're talking about the "MTB HS 468" variant - there are 3 different tread patterns called "Marathon" by Schwalbe. See here: https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/off-road_tires/marathon_plus_mtb

Of the two bikes, one came with Maxxis Chronicles at a 3.0 width. Those seem fine on pavement. The other bike with the DHF/DHR (2.8 width) is just not as smooth on pavement. Definitely better for off-road though. I had set a minimum width of 2.6 for replacements because we like the cushier ride and wider tires tend to do better on the loose stuff - going below that means I'd have to get different Tannus Armours, which adds cost. Maybe worth it.

 

[Browneye]

>snip
...going below that means I'd have to get different Tannus Armours, which adds cost. Maybe worth it.

Well, there is that.

I haven't ordered my inserts yet. I'm leaning toward the marathon mtb tire as it could serve dual duty. For more hardcore offroad, switch back to the minion DHF it came with.

 

[PDoz]

I never understood Maxxis DHR/DHF designations. Are they front or rear? Downhill/enduro? The current mystery. LOL Nor their 'EXO' thing - they got a bunch of those designations too. Why not just use plain languange instead of marketing hype??

You're supposed to be confused. I reckon ( sorry) it's a marketing ploy - every time someone asks about a tyre on the web you get a few hundred unhelpful opinions and several thousand views (advertisements ) for free.

Sooo...with that in mind..

"dh" is an abbreviation for down hill market speak , but no down hill riders use them - it's just a way to get the down hill riders arguing about the relative merrits of marrying arse again . ( sorry for those who don't know the max is brands, please don't give them IT points by looking that up if it's not an area you need to know about) . Meanwhile, they make a great dual sport dirt biased choice - think tkc80 in adv speak.

F ( ront) R(ear) gives a good way to spot personality traits.

Normal people go Front Rear
FReaks go Rfront Frear
There's nothing wrong with a little Rfront action if that's your thing
Never met anyone who is openly Front Frear , maybe someone would like to experiment?

 

[PDoz]

Well, there is that.

I haven't ordered my inserts yet. I'm leaning toward the marathon mtb tire as it could serve dual duty. For more hardcore offroad, switch back to the minion DHF it came with.

Try your Rekon on the front, it's an almost good enough front dual sport. If you're not quite happy with that in the durt a dhR on the front is slightly more road oriented than a dhF front .

 

[Browneye]

Thanks man.

Gee...F front and R rear. I did not know there was a Minion DHR. But there ya go. I think I need one. LOL

At first I couldn't figure out why they had a different tire on the rear. Then I noticed it wasn't as aggressive. As I got more into the philosophy of tires, and what riders prefer and why, the rear looks to be as free rolling as possible to lessen drag, and grippy enough to propel you forward. Front needs the most grip for braking and steering.

I was actually thinking about getting another Minion for the rear for dirt. And a 'dualsport' tire for the front for when pavement is the primary riding target. And why I thought that Hurricane tire might be pretty cool. Good on road, but could do the light trail if it got left on there. In other words, in a pinch. Same for the Marathon Plus MTB - could do dual duty.

So far I'm happy with the tires on it. The Minion front is really grippy - no loss of traction ever. I've already come down some stuff you can't stop or walk on. Oh my. LOL

Oops...we're hijacking the thread. Sorry folks.

 

[FlatSix911]

Found another one last night...
Schwalbe Marathon MTB.
I want something I can throw on the front for those days I'll ride the mtb on the road, like for guests, treks, what have you. So the Moto-X looks really good, Hurricane, Super Sam, Surely.

My Trance came with the 'REKON' (yes, it's a 'K') on the back, but I never understood Maxxis DHR/DHF designations. Are they front or rear? Downhill/enduro?
The current mystery. LOL Nor their 'EXO' thing - they got a bunch of those designations too. Why not just use plain language instead of marketing hype??

Here's the Marathon with level 7 flat-proofing, it's a 2.4 size tire for 27.5. Looking for at least a smooth center tread for tar.

I am currently running Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires and will probably replace them with the Marathon MTB for additional protection.

Schwalbe makes great long-lasting tires... just wish that they came in larger sizes of 2.4" - 3.0" to better accommodate Boost hub spacing.

 

[Browneye]

The marathon mtb is 2.4. It's close enough to the 2.6's that are on there, that for a front it would be fine. At least that's my thinking.

 

[FlatSix911]

I am not seeing the Marathon Plus MTB 2.4 size in the catalog... I would love to be incorrect on this.

 

[Browneye]

I must have been dreaming it...2.25.

Amazon.com

 

[rich c]

I don't use knobbies at all. We aren't allowed on the single track trails when it's wet. I ride Schwalbe Super Moto X. If I want a little more grip on roots I reduce the air pressure to around 22-25psi and the grip is perfect. Knobbies are just too loud on pavement for me.