Your tire choice when rotational weight is no object

[The duke]

I spent the 1990s mountain biking on paper thin, 2" tires with tubes similar to latex condoms to save on rotational weight.

Now that I'm riding a 51lb ebike, I think tire weight isn't so much an issue. Now I care about maximizing grip so I can actually cling to the mountains my electric motor allows me to climb.

I think about the thickest rubber and sidewalls so I can avoid flats on those extra thousands of miles my ebike allows me to travel.

I think about a tire that's a little cheaper to make up for the $2k plus that I spent on a motor and battery.

So now that weight isn't an issue, what's the mountain biking tire of choice out there? To maximize grip, I assumed the plus tire was the way to go. So far I've loved my 2.8x27s, and am even thinking I'd increase traction with 3.0's??

What's bullet proof to thorns, glass and rocks, clings like spidey, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

 

[6zfshdb]

I use Marathon Plus from Schwalbe with their heavy duty Downhill tubes:

Marathon Plus MTB | SmartGuard | Black-Reflex | 26x2.10 | Addix | 11101005

THE MOST PUNCTURE RESISTANT MTB-TIRE APPROVED FOR FAST E-BIKES. With ECE-R75 mark. On the central ribs it rolls easily over hard paths, while strong outer lugs give great offroad traction. The SmartGuard provides superior puncture protection. Good visibi…

www.schwalbetires.com

I paid $48 each for 26 x 2.25 on Amazon last year. I have them on 3 bikes with no flats in 2K miles.

 

[Mtl_Biker]

I use Marathon Plus from Schwalbe with their heavy duty Downhill tubes:

View attachment 40708

Marathon Plus MTB | SmartGuard | Black-Reflex | 26x2.10 | Addix | 11101005

THE MOST PUNCTURE RESISTANT MTB-TIRE APPROVED FOR FAST E-BIKES. With ECE-R75 mark. On the central ribs it rolls easily over hard paths, while strong outer lugs give great offroad traction. The SmartGuard provides superior puncture protection. Good visibi…

www.schwalbetires.com

I paid $48 each for 26 x 2.25 on Amazon last year. I have them on 3 bikes with no flats in 2K miles.

I'm still searching for a good puncture-resistant replacement tire for my Giant Explore E+1. About 25% of my route is on a gravel (sometimes muddy) nature trail but the rest is pavement. The stock tire is 45-622 and I see that this Schwalbe would be 54-622. Any idea how I could find out if that would be too wide? I know it would affect my speed and odometer readings, unfortunately. There's also the Smart Sam Plus, available in 42-622. SIGH

 

[6zfshdb]

I'm still searching for a good puncture-resistant replacement tire for my Giant Explore E+1. About 25% of my route is on a gravel (sometimes muddy) nature trail but the rest is pavement. The stock tire is 45-622 and I see that this Schwalbe would be 54-622. Any idea how I could find out if that would be too wide? I know it would affect my speed and odometer readings, unfortunately. There's also the Smart Sam Plus, available in 42-622. SIGH

I'm afraid I can't offer any advice about tire width. In my case, the Marathon's were slightly narrower than the stock tires I replaced and they fit the rims without a problem.
I have no experience with the Smart Sams but according to Schwalbe, they have the same grip, durability and protection as the Marathon +. The tread pattern is quite similar so I assume the performance would be comparable. I also ride dirt & gravel and I'm quite happy with the Marathon's off road performance. On road, the smooth quiet ride is fine but time will tell about the durability on pavement.

 

[indianajo]

I'm using knobby kenda 2.1". As long as the knobs are thicker than 1/16" I don't get flats. We don't have goat head thorns here. They come new from the bike shop with knobs about 5/32" high, cost about $26. I don't use slime tubes, seem to provide no advantage against tire shreds with wire I usually pick up.
I'm looking at putting lead weights on my spokes to increase gyroscope effect. My Mother's 1946 Firestone bike was dead stable even with hands off the bars and across railroad tracks & potholes. Steel rim might have helped. More trail in the fork may have been a reason too. Can't buy more trail, all 26" bikes have the SAME trail. I checked 250 frames on a bike frame geometry website. **** modern mountain bikes & a cruiser have thrown me on my chin 4 times. Front wheel whips sideways on a bump,a gravel ridge, a stick, seat bucks up & over I go on my chin every time. ******* "responsive" steering. So far this cargo bike hasn't done it, but it has the same ******g trail as everything else. Maybe more of my weight on the front tire helps.

 

[linklemming]

I'm still searching for a good puncture-resistant replacement tire for my Giant Explore E+1. About 25% of my route is on a gravel (sometimes muddy) nature trail but the rest is pavement. The stock tire is 45-622 and I see that this Schwalbe would be 54-622. Any idea how I could find out if that would be too wide? I know it would affect my speed and odometer readings, unfortunately. There's also the Smart Sam Plus, available in 42-622. SIGH

I have the 54-622 in the rear of my Juiced CCX with 19mm internal width rims and the tire is 1.85"(47mm) wide.

Hard to say if it will fit especially if you are still using fenders. You might have to buy a tire to find out.

 

[Mtl_Biker]

I have the 54-622 in the rear of my Juiced CCX with 19mm internal width rims and the tire is 1.85"(47mm) wide.

Hard to say if it will fit especially if you are still using fenders. You might have to buy a tire to find out.

Thanks! But yes, I'm still using fenders. And will continue to do so. My commute takes me a few miles through a nature park trail and it's often wet and even muddy. I've added a mud flap to my front fender too, and that helps keep the spray off my shoes and the bottom bracket of the bike. I'm not getting rid of the fenders! I think I'd be safer going with a narrower tire (42-622 instead of the stock 45-622) than with a wider one.