Heya guys (and gals), need some help with what size tyres to choose in a sense as the inflation size/different brands these days differ with sizing.
So, My WTP Reason frame has a short back end and I know I'm already limited on tyre space as is, it came with slim WTP activate 2.35 60psi tyres, so naturally I thought "I reckon I could get 2.4 front and back no issue". I ordered two PRIMO V-Monsters at 2.4, the front one engulfed my WTP Battleship forks with about a 5mm clearance and my back was barely on the frame and rubbing the inner back, hanging on and I would have had to extend the chain and didn't want to risk it hanging on the ends. So I changed tactics and I ordered some Demolition Momentums at 2.35 as they're thinner gripped, which are currently on the back, but spacing is veeeeey tight (pictured).
I know 60psi to 100psi tyres means more air = bigger tyre (have them at 80psi) but it's like the Primo 2.4 felt more like a 2.5/2.6 and now the Momentums are looking like 2.4's instead of 2.35. I've heard other people have gotten 2.4's on their Reasons but never stated the tyres they used, but trying to find the right tyres with a better gap ratio is bugging me, should I just get the 100psi version of the WTP Activates and just run a slimmer profile or should I just go down further to like a 2.25 etc on the back?
Any suggestions or recommendations are welcome
Just to add quickly, I'm a heavier rider, so can't do 60psi tyres
by dirtyfathobo
6 Comments
Maybe i missed it – do u ride pavement, asphalt, concrete … or dirt? Do u want same tire front/rear?
60 in a 2.25 is much stiffer than 60 in a 2.4. Go down to 2.25 front and rear and it will feel like a decent bike instead of a space hopper. Far less rolling resistance too.
I had a similar issue on my envy, I fixed it with an eclat decoder 2.3. My boy has a demolition hammerhead 2.25 on the back of his curse. They are both nice tyres and alright in the wet (the activates are slippery in the wet we found) WTP bikes seem to have fairly slim backends, I’ve not seen one running more than a 2.3 in the rear myself. Hope that helps.
I never trust the tyre size that much, my 2.25 cult dehart tyres inflated to 2.42 (measured with calipers), my 2.25 fit faf was bigger than my 2.4 fot faf etc.
I will always recommend the same tyres for everyone, animal glh. They last forever, they’re stiff – no pinch flats, 2.3 pumps out to 2.32 so it will definitely fit your frame. There is no better all round tyre on the market. The only downside is the weight so if you care about few extra grams it might not be for you.
Just thoughts, not a recommendation:
Does anyone ever consider ”adjusting” their frame to accommodate a larger tire? A small dent in the frame where the tire is closest to the frame could provide additional clearance. I thought about this only in the context that street racers often “adjust” their body panels (fenders) to clear larger tires or compensate for lowered bodies. I am one of those types that is always shoving bigger tires on their cars, and I have found that gentle bending can often provide that small amount of clearance needed to just clear the tire.
I think I would favor just extending the chain, but I could understand some motivation for keeping it all tight and short, and in such a case I know I wouldn’t be beyond forcing a round steel object (think piece of pipe…) into the frame there to provide additional clearance so that I could once again run a bigger tire than designed for by the manufacturer. I feel confident a small adjustment there would not lead to frame breakage if done with care. I would not attempt to just squeeze the frame rails at that location to avoid denting it on the outside, I would instead do all the adjustment on the inside of the rails if I were strongly compelled to go with that custom way too big tire look and feel.
Bmx tyre sizing is incredibly inconsistent from brand to brand, and it’s always been the his way really, only becoming a bigger issue because of super short rears and a lack of space.
I’ve known 2.35” tyres be in reality over 2.5” and I’ve known tyres branded 2.35” and they’re barely 2.1”.