Carl J

For those of you that have 27.5", I was wondering what you all are using for summer trail riding?

On my 26" which I'm hoping to change to 27.5", I have Jumbo Jims, and them. Really fast tires (they have one of the lowest rolling resistance among fat tires).


Unfortunately, they only come in 26", so I need to find a different tire. Most of my riding in the summer is on paved paths and hard pack dirt trails. Muddy trails I tend to stay away from, just because I don't want to ruin the trails and, am too lazy to keep washing my bike.


So far, doesn't look like there's a lot of options out there. Kind of narrowed it down to the Bontrager Hodag and the Terrene Cake Eaters so far. The reviews on the Maxxis FBF and FBR seem to be really mixed.


Anyone have experience with any of these tires? Or use other tires that I should possibly consider?


Again, this is for 27.5" tires on hard packed and mostly dry trails. Leaning more towards low rolling resistance vs lots of grip (60/40).


Thanks

rumrunn6

interesting dilemma. maybe you need another bike!?

Carl J

The thought has crossed my mind. Already have 4, what's another one?

Or a cheaper alternative would be that I keep the 26ers and swap with the 27.5s so that I can have the Jumbo Jims for the summer and then get D4 or D5s (or Gnarwhals) for the winter.

But I'm sure that there are some pretty good 27.5" tires that are geared more towards summer riding. Looks like it may be the Hodogs, since one of the shops can get them (or I can go to the Trek store down the road), and so far I can't find anyone with the Cake Eaters

prj71

Are you talking 27.5 fat tires? I assume you are getting new wheels also?

Carl J

Yup, planning on getting 27.5 wheels. Just have to go in tomorrow to make sure that a tire will fit in the back. It won't be able to fit a 4.8", but should be able to do at least a 4.2".

qclabrat

I'm planning the same for my new Fatback. Before going to the 27.5 discussion, I'm surprised you liked JJs up north. I found them pretty undesirable in deeper snow. Move to Lou/Buds this winter, and my luck, zero snow this year in NJ.
Which bike are you on? Because if you want max fat, have you considered the Barbegazis?
I have a suspension fork so 4" is fine for warm season riding and I have a 29+ bike which is my go to for oversized faster dirt riding. I've narrowed mine down to either the VanHelga or Minions. I plan to ride mostly loose riding north Jersey trails with the bike so extra rubber works for me. Cake Eaters are the opposite of the Hodags, how did you land on these two? Also all 3.8s seem to run small even on 80mm rims. Actually the 4.5 Barbegazis measure less than 4.2 on a 80mm rim.

qclabrat

btw: which rims are you going with? I'd like to go carbon but its a lot of coin for a bike I only ride once or two a month in warm weather.

BWB

Check out the 45N D4's for a summertime compliment to your JJ's.

I love Hodag's for dirt, but the D4's are probably better for the uses you've described.

HerrKaLeun

Also considering moving to 27.5.
I have the 26×4.8 Maxxis and wouldn't consider them easy rolling.

Have been eying the VanHelga for better all around. They are supposed to be good in snow as well. unlike the JJ.

fishboy316

I am running 3.8 hodags on 27.5 Jackalopes and LOVE them. Great traction and fast rollers.

qclabrat

just got my Mulefuts in 27.5 probably going to go with Hope hubs, though I'm still "hoping" to find Hadleys in 197. I've also decided on going with Minions. VanHelgas were my first choice but Universal has the Minions on a steep discount right now.

Carl J

What about the Hodogs? Aren't the VanHelgas more geared towards winter?
The Minions (the Front and Rear specific) I've read really mixed reviews. Seems some people love them, and other dislike them.

Carl J

I now have that exact same setup, both wheels and tires. Haven't tried them out yet

Carl J

I like the JJs, especially in the summer. Great on hard/packed surfaces.
The winter, as long as the trail is somewhat packed, they seemed really good. But, when things have been a bit icy, I've had issues

qclabrat

Hodags look like they don't shed mud very well, what has been your experience? I'm not condoning mud riding, but I have a few tires which seem to velcro softer dirt onto them.
VanHelgas are akin to Minions so an aggressive all-mountain type tire. 45Nrth has a few winter offerings. I've been told the Husker Du (similar tread to Lou/Buds) and Dillingers are popular in the snow.

qclabrat

I have a buddy who loves JJs as well and shares the same experience with you. I think he switches to studded Dillingers when temps stay below freezing. Though ice, rocks and studs have been among my diciest rides.

fishboy316

My Hodags are my favorite tire. They are fast rollers and they do a great job in the corners. I have not had any trouble with them Shedding Mud. I have been on them for 6 years now and no problems. My go to winter tire is Gnarwahl studded.

Hypno Toad

I'm big fan of Panaracer Fat B Nimble and they offer 27.5 x 3.5.

I've been using 26x4 for my drop-bar Pugsley for summer riding, lots of gravel grinders, some single-track, and adventure rides.

They are fast and light, but will not have grip on soft surfaces (don't ride on snow, I've fallen every time I've thought I'd wait to change to winter tires).

For reference, this set up made for the fastest fatbike at the 2019 Flithy 50

qclabrat

I'm seen you're pics a number of times and this one is great like the others. Always associate FBNs with you. Currently also run FBNs on a full rigid 29+, they run small, more like 2.6 on Dually rims. For your fatbike what's the width on the FBNs and on which rims? Interested in the 27.5x3.5 FBNs but hope they don't size down as much as the others. Width doesn't concern me as much as BB drop as most of my riding is on rocky single track. I'll be on 80mm Mulefuts but think the 27.5 FBNs maybe better matched with Hugos or a rim closer to 60mm.

Hypno Toad

Thanks!

You make a good point, FBN run narrower than advertised. I think my 26x4 tires measure at 3.7" mounted (12 psi) on stock Marge Lite rims (65mm). We agree - the wide would be concerning for riding soft surfaces (sand or snow), but for hard packed conditions, that .3" isn't a big deal.

wirides

I'm in the same boat now, looking for a fast summer tire to run on 80 mulefuts. What did you do? Also, will the FBN work on the 80s?