JSteiner

So, i went for a hill climb with some Norcal mountain biking friends of mine up a fire road. It was pretty steep in a couple sections. So steep, in fact, that I had to get off the bike and walk it because my tire was spinning out. And I hate walking the bike. So I decided to look into some new tires. I found these bad boys on Jenson USA for $16 each, so thought I'd give them a shot. They're 29x1.95" Kenda Klaw XT's. I had a front rack, but when fully inflated the front tire rubbed on it. It clears the fork with a few mm to spare. The rear rubs the frame when fully inflated, but when deflated it only rubs where it's slightly out of true (going to spend the time to true it up this weekend). I should note that I have very narrow rims (Velocity Deep V's at the moment), which affect the tire's final width. It's not the ideal setup to leave on the bike for good, but I got these tires for occasional off-road riding and for the winter commute, when they'll be on very low pressure anyway.

So I haven't taken them on proper trails yet, but the little testing I did do was quite fun. It was a very plush ride, even compared with the 700x38c tires I usually have on there. Obviously its not as efficient, but if you're worried about efficiency and going fast, you're missing the point.

So without further adieu...



The front fork clears...


The frame, not so much... (Its rubbing on my chainstays here)


Although the seat stays are all right

vik 

Nice looking bike....what size LHT is that?

vik 

Given your philosophy you should be riding a Surly Pugsley!...

JSteiner

Ah yes, the Pugsley. I dreamed about one all winter last year. The thing with the LHT is that it's my do-everything bike. So if spending thirty bucks on tires gets me a bike that can take me through the winter well enough, than for me it's a better option than a new bike. I can put that money towards the next tour.

That being said, I would really love a pugsley...

I should note that my winters are spent in Rochester, NY, where we get plenty of snow, and not in San Jose...

HardyWeinberg

Sweet! I roll 26x2.0 big apples w/ room for fenders on my 54cm; makes me wonder about the 2.35s.

(29x2.0s or even 2.7s could be your *summer* tires on a pugsley by the way)

Bacciagalupe

In theory, you should be able to fit 26" x 2.1". That might only be slicks, though.

I would send Surly an email, they should have the skinny on fat tires.

carkmouch

That is one bad ass Mother Trucker

countrydirt

Schwing! Radical! (in my best Wayne Campbell voice). That is one of the finest things I have ever seen!

bragi

I think you may have the wrong bike for the job. If you're MTBing, use a MTB, not a touring bike with oversize knobbies. What you're attempting is a travesty, akin to putting fenders and a rack on a high-end carbon road bike, or trying to serve pork chops and tequila to a Muslim.

jwbnyc

Surly lists the largest tires for 700c LHTs as 42mm with fenders and 45mm w/o fenders.

1.95"=49.5 approx.

You are over by quite a bit at least as far as the recommendations go.

45mm=1.75 approx.

A little more actually but close enough for horseshoes.

BikEthan

I'd be pretty concerned about that chainstay rub. I've seen the walls of chain and seat stays worn through due to that kind of rub. Add a little mud and voila! Your tire is now a 29" abrasive wheel! Maybe you should look into some wider cross tires? Or narrower 29er tire? Or at least a 1.95 with a lower lug profile (or just trim down the ones you've got if you're short on cash).

Lamplight

I happen to know first hand that a 2.3 Big Apple will technically fit on a 26" LHT fork. However, I don't recommend it.

JSteiner

I'd have to disagree. I In contrast, I think I have the perfect bike for the job. The LHT is my do-everything bike. I found something it can't do on those fireroads, so I changed the tires and now it can. I wasn't expecting this to be a true mountain bike. I have one of those in my garage when I go back to Rochester, NY in a few months. But this will get me through until then. And as far as putting racks and fenders on a carbon racing bike... I did that and rode 750 miles through Ireland in the best two weeks of my life. So I hardly think it's a travesty. It's a matter of doing what you can with what you have. It might not always be ideal, but if the end result is good then who cares?

I did email Surly before I bought the tires. They told me there was plenty of room up front, although the back might be tight. Which is exactly the case.

The bike is a 56cm frame. Toe overlap has become more of an issue than it was before. One more reason I won't be riding (m?)any technical trails with it.

Ethan, you're right about the rubbing. These tires are only going to be on the bike occasionally, and not for very long at any stretch. Before winter comes and snow really sets in I'm going to pick up a slightly narrower tire that won't rub. At $16 each for these tires, I'm not afraid to cut my losses and move on.

peidavy

I have got the same tires on my 56 Surly Cross Check - but without he tire rub! I just had to pull the rear wheel as far back as possible in the rear drop outs. It does come awfully close. I was thinking a used pair of the same tires would be perfect. Hang on to those worn 29er tires - they might be worth something!

dmckean44

Or you could do like I always did when I was a kid. Wide MTB tire on the front and normal touring tire on the back.

10 Wheels

You could always take a razor blade and trim the knobs that touch the bike.

Cave

Any toe overlap?

c_m_shooter

I have ran that tire on the front of my 54cm Cross Check. I couldn't get it to fit in the rear though, ran a 44mm Mutanoraptor with it in the back. Lots of toe overlap and a few trips over the bars because of it.

Alfonzo

Ok well I have the 56cm LHT and I would like to beef the tires up for touring. I am running 38c but thinking of going with a 29'r maybe a 46c. Which is a 29*1.75 you think that would work? I hate to ditch the fenders but they don't help when it's pouring rain.

iforgotmename

I love the MONSTER TRUCKER!!! NOOOOICE!!!! I occassionally run 26x2.0 on my 56cm 26in trucker with fenders., I like the way you think. I also take the trucker offroad and in no way shape or form consider it a travesty....just sayin. Here is a vid running 1.75's doing a little sissy snow biking.

The_Herb

Great video Iforgotmename love the music choice for the video.

mtnroads

Awesome video!

iforgotmename

Glad you guys enjoyed it.

fuzz2050

I've crammed a 2.35 inch Big Apple into a LHT fork before. I don't know if it's actually the best choice for a tour, but it was kinda fun.

cbike

It's getting way off topic, but what do you do after you've ridden your bike in the snow? How do you get it all off so it doesn't start rusting?