Different tyres.........amazing the difference they do make.

[Dave7]

This is just an observation in case anyone else is thinking of changing.
My 27.5" hard-tail came with 2.1" knobbly tyres which is a bit of an over-kill for most of my cycling.
I have just changed to 1.6" (32mm?) Marathons and did a 30 miler yesterday. It was mainly off road........rough pot-hole type paths plus a bit of Trans-Penine way and perhaps 8-10 miles of road.
I expected some differences but TBH not as great as they were. To be fair........I normally have the pressure at the lower end of the recommended but the LBS had put the maximum in the Marathons.
So much easier/faster on the road.
No problems on the rough paths.
There was one wet/muddy section where I thought "I felt safer on the 2.1"s" but overall no problems.

 

[Hugh Manatee]

Tyres seem to have got wider and wider on MTBs in recent years. Weird considering suspension has got better at the same time. I have always used 1.95 tyres on my off road bikes. They are of a vintage where clearances wouldn't allow anything wider.

This time I couldn't find any so like you, I have dropped down a size to 1.8 width. I hope the experience is as positive as yours!

 

[Racing roadkill]

This is just an observation in case anyone else is thinking of changing.
My 27.5" hard-tail came with 2.1" knobbly tyres which is a bit of an over-kill for most of my cycling.
I have just changed to 1.6" (32mm?) Marathons and did a 30 miler yesterday. It was mainly off road........rough pot-hole type paths plus a bit of Trans-Penine way and perhaps 8-10 miles of road.
I expected some differences but TBH not as great as they were. To be fair........I normally have the pressure at the lower end of the recommended but the LBS had put the maximum in the Marathons.
So much easier/faster on the road.
No problems on the rough paths.
There was one wet/muddy section where I thought "I felt safer on the 2.1"s" but overall no problems.

Marathons are very good tyres, going from knobblys to treaded, and higher pressures normally transforms the ride quality

 

[Dave7]

Tyres seem to have got wider and wider on MTBs in recent years. Weird considering suspension has got better at the same time. I have always used 1.95 tyres on my off road bikes. They are of a vintage where clearances wouldn't allow anything wider.

This time I couldn't find any so like you, I have dropped down a size to 1.8 width. I hope the experience is as positive as yours!

I hope so. The difference isn't 'as big' but from my (limited) experience I think it should be a good move for you.

 

[Kevoffthetee]

I was thinking of putting skinnier tyres on the MTB but I've just got back from the Lakes and enjoyed playing around Grizedale Forest trails. I didn't go onto the extreme trails but the wide knobblies definitely helped on the gravel hill climbs.

Think I'm after a N+1+1+1 now

 

[Dave7]

I was thinking of putting skinnier tyres on the MTB but I've just got back from the Lakes and enjoyed playing around Grizedale Forest trails. I didn't go onto the extreme trails but the wide knobblies definitely helped on the gravel hill climbs.

Think I'm after a N+1+1+1 now

I fully agree. If I decide to do e.g. Llandegla the knobblies will go back on. For now I am enjoying exploring my own door-step.

 

[Globalti]

Wide knobbly tyres are a fashion and are specced by designers to make the tyres and wheels look butch and fit the frame visually. Nothying looks sillier than a mountain bike with skinny little tyres - I know because mine is presently wearing some 1.5" slicks and it looks daft.

Narrow tyres are faster than wide and arguably they grip better because the high ground pressure makes them cut down to find grip, especially in snow and mud. We used to do Polaris trailquests on 1.6" commuter tyres and found them a good compromise for all surfaces, they were just a little harsh in certain conditions. I think you'd only need fat tyres for seriously rocky fast downhill stuff, which most mountain bikers only ride in their dreams.

 

[leedsmick]

This is something I've considered 3 weeks into my new hobby! Just no idea where to start. I do love riding the muddy paths of the woods but do seem to be mainly riding on the road and canal paths

 

[Dave7]

Wide knobbly tyres are a fashion and are specced by designers to make the tyres and wheels look butch and fit the frame visually. Nothying looks sillier than a mountain bike with skinny little tyres - I know because mine is presently wearing some 1.5" slicks and it looks daft.

Narrow tyres are faster than wide and arguably they grip better because the high ground pressure makes them cut down to find grip, especially in snow and mud. We used to do Polaris trailquests on 1.6" commuter tyres and found them a good compromise for all surfaces, they were just a little harsh in certain conditions. I think you'd only need fat tyres for seriously rocky fast downhill stuff, which most mountain bikers only ride in their dreams.

Interesting.
Before I try Llandegla I will (I assume) try more rough terrain and get the confidence in them. I will never be doing "serious rocky downhill stuff".

 

[Dave7]

This is something I've considered 3 weeks into my new hobby! Just no idea where to start. I do love riding the muddy paths of the woods but do seem to be mainly riding on the road and canal paths

Besides a few quid you have nothing to lose by trying some................I am glad I did

 

[leedsmick]

So at the expense of looking stupid, do they do like for like sizes and any makes to look out for ?

 

[leedsmick]

Just done a bit of research. Seems 27.5 is stocked as 650b. My head hurts reading it all. I'll think about it in a few months !