I’m looking into heading to the Southern California area this March. I am hoping to either do the Anza Hapaha loop or the Mojave Solitaire. The Anza Hapaha loop has a good amount (I think comments said maybe 10 mi) or soft sand. It’s recommended to have 2.6” width tires at minimum. I have a hardtail. I bought a used wheelset which has 2.6” width on the front and 2.8” width on the rear. I haven’t looked too closely at the tread but I’ll assume that the rear is a little more worn.
Q1) At the tightest spot I have about 3mm clearance between tire and chain stay, the other points are a little bigger. If it’s the desert, dry, and sandy do ya’ll think it’s okay or should I replace the 2.8”width tire with the 2.6” tire in the rear?
Q2) in general would it be better to have the wider tire in the front or rear for desert/sandy riding?
Q3) the loop is meant to have the super sandy section UPHILL. The comments have folks stating that they went the opposite way so the sandy part was fine downhill. Some couldn’t imagine going uphill with that sand. Do ya’ll recommend going UPHILL or DOWNHILL on the really soft sand if it’s at least a few miles?
by RubyDoobyDoo101
1 Comment
Q1- In this case and with my limited experience, you’d want the bigger tire in front to help add control and minimize diving into the sand front-first. just swap tires. if the front is worn badly, possibly losing puncture resistance too as well as grip/tread, just buy a new tire. are you tubeless? Tubeless would allow you to run lower tire pressures which would be helpful in sand.
Q2- Is this a trick question?