29x2.6" vs 29x3.0" Mountain Bike Tires | Comparing Tire Sizes 

The terrain in this video is astounding! You have access to some great looking trails.

I love my 27.5x2.8 ….. Best of all worlds.

Good review and good timing. I've been thinking about this recently. I think you make a good point reagrding this could be dependent on the bike/geometry. For example, I love 29x2.6 on my Esker Rowl but prefer the 29x3.0 on my Trek Stache. Love the channel and your videos. Keep it coming!

great to hear someone who sees how good 29+ is… I sold all my other bikes (including s-works stumpjumper!) when I got my trek stache and honestly cannot see an mtb that tempts me over it: I will take the simplicity of a $100 tyre that does most of what $100 per year service suspension does, but simpler amy day. Try the bongrager xr2 (used to be chupacabra) 29x3 btw… they are excellent and roll fast

Funny how times have changed. Back just 5 years ago or so 2.1'" ~ 2.4" was considered trail and 2.5" ~ 3.25" was considered plus. As someone who returned to MTB in 2013 riding 26x4 and 26x2.35 (aggressive tread on both), I found that the 4" tires were very grippy, forgiving, and easy to recover from mistakes while riding but generally slower. The 2.35" was very nimble and faster in a majority of situations, but it didnt carry speed as well and mistakes would more often result in crashes/flying over handle bars. The most noticeable difference was wash out behavior; when 2.35" would wash out or slip it happened very abruptly and violently, if it was on the front tire in a turn you were hitting the ground. 4" wash out was much more predictable and slow. 2.6" to 3.0" as a whole tends to be a nice middle ground leaning toward trail tires assuming you have the same tread patterns. You get most of the benefits of traditional trail tires and fat tires without too many downfalls. Obvious there are always trade offs so everyone needs to decide for themselves and tread patterns make a massive difference too.

I've gotten into the single speed thing for a while now. I have been playing with different tire sizes. I have a lot of good sized mountains where I live with loose rock. I have finally settled on a 29x2.6 in front and a 27.5x3.0 in the rear. A bit odd I know but I feel like I got the best of both worlds. Extra traction for for those steep climbs along with the roll over of the 29 up front.

Good advice. I'm a plus tyre user and the trick is to keep it in the low 20s - under 20 and the tyres will drag - over 25 and the bounce downhill is a problem. Keeping tyre pressure +/- 2psi is all you have to do - my tubeless sealant is taking ages to seal completely - maybe it just needs more sealant but I put 100ml in already. The chronicle has been discontinued by maxis which is unfortunate - it will drift on lose over hard but is reassuringly predictable & has low rolling resistance. I run the chronicle behind and a 3" Nobby Nic in front which is a sluggish industrial grade tyre. I had the 2.8 Maxxis Ikon+ upfront but it did not give me enough confidence - if the Minion FBF came in 3" that would-be worth a shot. Have a nice day.

I run 2.6 Rekons and they feel great. Rider weight is about 140lbs., 20psi front, 22.5psi rear. Compared to 2.4 a bit more plushness and grip, not much heavier.

I run 15-18 psi on 2.6 and weigh 220. No jumping but sandy and rocky trails in AZ/NM on full rigid Surly.

I’m constantly amazed on how many bike videos I see with Gloveless riders! The very first thing you do, when your lose control is stick out your hands to break the fall why would you ever ride without gloves???

How u compare 27.5 2.8 vs 29er 2.6 . Which one do u think better for hardtail?

Thanks for sharing I just ordered a HT that comes with 2.6 tires, and I'm scared that it lacks precision and that I will be heavy on climbs. You seem to consider 2.6 a rather "thin" tire ! I will give it a try before stepping down to 2.4 tires.

cool vid.. thanx for doing it.. my new Ebike came with 3" tires on 30mm wheels and it works great..

Hope you Got 100k subscribers, all the best

You have an ice-cream truck? I'm jealous! Good vid, thanks.

Would a 2.6 front and 3.0 rear have any benefit on best of both worlds? Or would that jack the geometry up?

What suspension forks clear the the 29 x 3 tires?

Are you running 29x3 tires on the rear on the timberjack? How wide are the rims, and how much clearance there is? Thanks

Great video, awesome trails! I’d love a pair of rabbit hole rims, but they seem to be extinct. Can you recommend a good 29er plus wheel set thats bombproof for a big dude? (250lbs)

Hello, I have 622x46 mm tires on my 29+ mtb for 3' tires. My question is if I can install 2.60' tires on that rim size? Thank you so much

Great video! I am still in the process of decision-making. Can you tell where you rode? I love the landscapes.

hello guys what is the minimal width of rim for 20x3.0 tire?

Great content! I myself is debating the 2.5 coming from a 2.8 which I love!

Nice video. After watching your 3.0 tire video. Have sinced reinstalled my 29 x 3.0 and ready to hit the Rock Gardens more aggressively. Do you happen to use Tire inserts like CushCore, Im just a bit worried that 3.0 are single ply sidewall and might not be durable for sidewall protection, pinch flats dented rims. I really loved the low tire pressures of the 3.0. Thank you for the nice video

My 27.5 came with 2.8 but they are just so damn heavy! I split the difference with a 2.5 out back. Works well in the Phoenix dirt.

I got 26×2.5 , o.o i was going for 29t but hopefully i didn't buy that one.. won't have been good experience as I'm 5"7 and i touch only toes on 26t cycle which i bought.

A more accurate comparison would be the same exact tire in the 2 different widths.

Awesome trails. New to the channel. Where about are these trails? I am 140 lbs and generally ride old school 26 and the new 29ers. I ride hard pack clay fire roads and I am an uphill rider. For my riding I grew up 30+ psi for uphill and if I want cushier ride I drop down to 23 psi with 2.6 to 2.9. Keep up the informative content. Enjoyed the 2.6 vs 3.0.

Lol 2.60 seems so wide to me. I’m riding 2.10 Maxxis Ikons that came on my 2016 Charge Cooker 29er that I got second hand. I wanted to upgrade to 2.40’s but just realized I have only 19mm ID wheels so looks like I’m screwed lol

asking sir if 135x9* can fit 2.60 tire or 2.50

Do you happen to know the fit status for mid fat tires,wheels on the Surly karate monkey?

Does 2.60 fit in normal mtb bike rim? I have 2.25 at the moment.

Where do you buy 2.6 inner tube

Go with 2.8 best of both

I’ve been riding 29x3 for about 6 years and love it (Naked hand built). Have you tried the XR4 up front instead of a chronicle and I ride XR2 up front in the dry season, Vancouver island area. I found that better than chronicle on the front. I use the chronicle on the rear all year.

2.5 front 2.35 rear. Can't touch it

Good info thanks

Hello sir, I think you might be the perfect person to ask this to: I'm building a Surly Krampus as an all-rounder long distance bikepacking machine. It'll have to tackle all kinds of terrain. I'm stuck deciding between 35 and 40mm inner diameter rims. Ideally I think I'll mainly run 29x3.0" and 29x2.8" tires, but I'd like to have the possibility to run 2.6" if I want to. From my research, 35mm would be more suited for the 2.6" and the 40mm would suit the 2.8" and 3.0" better. I guess the question is which one would be the better choice overall for this 2.6-3.0" range, knowing that there can only be one wheelset? Thanks

What size of rim do you have for 3.0 tyres?

Is it a quirk of camera angle or does the blue bike in the side by side thumbnail pic have wheel dish way off?

Great video and commentary, thanks for sharing this!…😎

Love the bike design ru-vid.comUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L and functionality. It is hard to align the front tired to center the disk brakes. The brake wheel touches the stationery side of the brake caliper and pad. I aired the tire up to 40 psi as the markings say 40-60psi. Left the house for a few hours and came back to an exploded innertube.All in all it seems to be a good bike. Have not ridden it yet though so that's the max of my knowledge. Update, put a new innertube made sure the tire was set properly and it did the same thing in under 20 minutes as second pic shows.

No issues with assembly for me ru-vid.comUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L but I could see where some might benefit from using an experienced bike assembler/mechanic. I'm an older rider starting back after a 10 year break. This bike exceeds my capabilities and has been easy to get comfortable riding. I'm mostly on easy trails with almost no street riding and have not been disappointed with the performance of the bike. My fitness level is far below what I previously rode with and because of that the mileage is going on the bike slowly. While I'm losing weight slowly, the bike seems to tolerate my 220 pounds just fine. The bike has been used by several family members ranging from 5'5" - 5'9".

Have you tried a 2.8 yet

12 PSI...HOLY COW BATMAN! But my Trail Boss says 35-50psi???? So I ran 40psi on pavement so far...maybe 30 on dirt?

Anyone know where you can buy new 29x3.0" tires for my bike?

if my tires are currently 27.5 x 2.8, how much difference will it be going to a 29 x 2.6??? I am not happy with the 27.5's :( it is way to slow for me... my hybrid bike is currently faster than my MTB lol

Good video,always ride with a bear spray👍

What do you suggest for bikepacking in lower Himalayan terrain with loose gravel and round stones in riverbeds. 27.5x 2.8 or 29x2.2? route will include climbing through tough terrain also.

Could you mount the 2.6” tyres on a 50mm rim?

where is this video shot? nevada?

I have 27,5 wheels with stock size 2.25. I want wider tires but I dont know how much wider I can go also what is my limit ?

Whats the meaning of "Ice-cream-truck", please?

bevor du irgend welche vergleiche anstelltst solltest du mal die unnötigen maxxis in die ecke schmeissen. bei 2.6er breite muß man bei schwalbe nachsehen, da gibts dieganzen dinge ddie du aufgezählt hast NICHT !

3.0 no way I’m using that. Only rookie uses that because they don’t know how to lean their bike. 😅

Cant stand fat tires need better tire