MTB tyre width questions

[jeff_o]

So i just started doing MTB/trails over the last few weeks.... I currently run Bontrager Connection Trail 26x2.0 and felt it's a bit narrow for trails as I sink and slip here and there.

I was looking at Chainreaction cycles and saw a lot of MTB tires x2.0 and only few are x2.2 above. What tire should i be getting? do i stick to x2.0? or go wider x2.2 at least?

appreciate everyone's inputs

[Kenzo]

NSW.. Sandy trails?
What tyre pressure are you riding the trails with?
Too high on soft surfaces and you can 'slice' the surface a bit and sink in.

Connection Trail tyres have solid ridge running down the centre of the entire tyre right?

BTW - I would use 2.1 or 2.25.. maybe even 2.35 or 2.4.
My favourite front tyre is the (expensive) Schwalbe Nobby Nic. 2.25".

Then there is a discussion to be had over the tread... but I'll leave that to the locals in your area who know the trails well enough.

[fringe_dweller]

Sand can be tricky to navigate at speed. I still tend to get my weight back over the back wheel so that the front doesn't dig in.

I run Racing Ralphs in 2.1.

Grant

[jeff_o]

i was in lane cove national park. the trails there are a mixture of sand, stony sand, loose rocks, big bumpy rocks and some mud spots as well. I was sinking particularly at mudspots and slipping at wet sands so i was thinking if i should get a wider contact patch tire?

[Mugglechops]

I fit the biggest tyre that will wont hit my frame.

Currently running 2.5" Maxxis Highrollers.

Going tubeless will help you with running lower pressures too.

[scotto]

2.5 maxxis minion front
2.0 maxxis high roller rear
works well in sloppy stuff

[toolonglegs]

I lived 5 years in Epping... used to ride nearly 5 times a week from where the M2 crosses Beecroft road through to the bottom of Lance Cove then back by the big hill up to the sports ground and down the downhill section and back home... freakin amazing single track riding...also pretty illegal these days. Very jealous of anyone who has that in there back yard!.
Sandy yes but never what I would call sloppy... .
Tyres...any descent 2.1-2.3 would do.

[trailgumby]

For rocky/ sandy Sydney, Schwalbe Nobby Nic front in 2.25 and Racing Ralph 2.1 rear is good if you go tubeless. They are a bit fragile in the sidewalls i hear if you run non-tubeless.

[trailgumby]

I meed to mention they are quite sensitive to pressure. If you run the NN too firm at the front it can be sketchy.

There's a review somewhere in the mtb articles section of this site that I did that you should take a look at.

[jeff_o]

2.5 maxxis minion front
2.0 maxxis high roller rear
works well in sloppy stuff

yeah i noticed stock bikes have a lil bit wider front tire? why is that?

unlike motorcycles they have wider rear tire.

[trailgumby]

Front tyre is your control tyre. You can survive loss of traction on the rear (within reason) and the rear has more impact on rolling resistance.

You dont want to lose traction on the front ... especially under brakes ... it does not end well.

[toolonglegs]

Come on gumby, controlled sliding on the front is where all the style points come from .