Mountain Biking - Tire Size?

I'm currently running 26X2.4 that came with my bike when I first bought it. I think they are a bit wide. Just wondering what size tires you guys are use when you guys hit the trails?

Used to use 2.1s for the trails. However, I now use my MTB mostly for winter training on the road. For this, I use 1.8s. I have been off-road with these tyres (not the best idea seeing as they are road-tyres!!!) but don't feel that they give as much confidence as the tyre width is not there. I would say 2.0 is the narrowest I'd go for off-road tyres.

2.1 rear, 2.3 front.

i used 2.0 for both front and back

2.7 front, 2.35 rear.

2.35 front and rear...I find it's better to have wider tires for mountain biking it helps absorb more

My bike when I get it is ganna have 3.0! YEAH!

2.5 each end. But they're maxxis so theyre a bit thinner than that.

2.1" front 2.0" rear.

2.8 front and 2.5 rear, if you search i think there was a thread about this.

I run 2.0s front and back but they ride like a bigger tire due to a large volume. They are bigger than the 2.1s I have for my mud setup.

But tire size will really depend on what type of riding you are doing and your riding/trail conditions.

Chapter 3: Wheels and Tires

These are the most important parts next to the frame and fork. Selecting the set of wheels and tires you want will have a major effect on how your bike will handle and how it can effect the geometry of a bike. Remember, not all wheels and tires are designed for everything. There are categories of wheels and tires as well.

1)Cross Country
2)Trail Bike
3)Freeride/DH

Cross Country

The wheels will either be 26" or 29"
They will be either V or disc brake only.
The tires will vary from 1.9 to 2.3.
There will be condition specific tires and all terrain tires.

Trail Bike
The majority of wheels and tires will be 26" although there will be a very limited number of 29" wheels and tires available for this specification
These wheelsets will be disc.
Tire width will be between 2.1-2.5

Freeride/DH

The selection here will vary between 24" and 26"
These rims will be wider than a trail or xc rim.
The wheels will be disc brakes.
Tire widths will be between 2.3 and 3.0/4.0
Again condition specific tread on these and general condion treads.


This is from the sticky at the top of the forum.

Right now I got a 2 on the back and a 2.35 on the front. Thats what I have for when I ride trails.

That's funny, different tire sizes. What are advantages of that? And why put the narrower tire in the back? I thought it would be the other way around.

Run your most dominant tire up front and your rear will *hopefully* follow.

2.8 front and 2.5 rear.

That's funny, different tire sizes. What are advantages of that? And why put the narrower tire in the back? I thought it would be the other way around.

Try it. Rolling resistance is higher rear -smallers faster.
Cornering, the result of front tire washout is a world of hurt, rear not so bad.
Landing, a front big\softer tires nice, good if low pressure for climbing loose pack.
I sometimes run 2.10 xc both, but never larger rear...feels like hell now that I've become 'adjusted' to large front.

2.5" front and rear (Kenda's)

2.5 in the front and 2 in the rear

My bike: 2.7 Front, 2.5 Rear
Girlfriends Bike: Dual 2.5's

Whatever's on sale...

Right now it's 1.8 Front & 2.3 Rear

On the Banshee: 3.0 front, 2.8 rear
on the P.2 2.6's

I use 2.1's front and back most of the time. However I am probably going to go with 1.9's for my race wheelset.

On the XC bike 1.7's. On the big bike 2.7's.

2.1 front, 1.9 rear.

2.4's