I’m doing the tour divide mountain bike race in June and I’m struggling to make a choice between the width of my tires. I’m using a steel hard tail, the Jones LWB with 29 inch wheels on Derby carbon fiber rims.
Should I use 3 inches wide or 2.4?
The brand/model of the tires is the WTB Ranger.
Thank you!
by Pastor_Zatx
14 Comments
If your racing for speed probably the 2.4, if you want comfort the 3.0 but I think the 2.4 is enough either way.
I’d do 2.4.
I used 2.6 Mezcals when I did it, but ended up needing to throw on a 3.0 Surly Knard on the back at Pinedale. They were slower and a bit overkill, which makes a huge difference over 2700 miles.
I rode it with 2.35 mezcals. Perfect.
I’m leaning 2.4 since this is 3,000 miles and I’m on a max time limit. I won’t be competitive enough to win or anything, but I only have so much time I can take away from family and career (roughly 21 days).
I rode it with 2.4, they were great
3″ would be nice for a few spots (great basin in Wyoming, most of New Mexico) but 2.4 should be better overall.
2.4s. It’s not that rough. I’m assuming front suspension.
2.4 is enough to me. 3 won’t add anything but make you slower
I used 2.25 mezcals and no suspension. It worked fine but may go slightly wider next time. Of the two, I would definitely go with 2.4. Not sure how rangers will hold up, it’s not a tire I see used on the divide often.
I work on the idea
Big tyre good, small tyre bad
For me I would definitely ride on the one with the wheel inside. In my experience the wheel is crucial. Happy riding!
2.4 would be my choice for sure. I rode it on 48mm tyres in 22 days lol. There’s probably only 10% of the time I’d classify them as “unideal”, on the whole it’s pretty good quality roads the majority of the time. 3 inches would be much slower without much of an advantage imo. 2.2-2.4 would be the sweet spot!
2.4
One of each… with the fattie in the front