Funny because I've been wanting to do exactly the opposite on my trail version El Mar with WTB KOM Asym i35 with 2.6 Rekons and move to a i27 and use smaller tire. I secured the rims, no longer being produced, but never got to it.
Are your Rekons WT as gmb3 mentioned? I have KOM i29 with 2.5 DHFs nonWT and they seem spot on being that they're never true to size.
Are they the stock rims and are they 27.5 or 29?
If I remember correctly at some point all 2.5+ Maxxis tires were WT, even if not officially designated as such. BTW, the DHRII/DHF on my Knolly are 2.6 on i30 rims and do just fine, not sure if it's an apple to apple comparison as they're on a full suspension bike as opposed to the El Mar with i35 rims.
Yeah, I'm starting to weed down my wheel sets and getting rid of some arches and crests. Also cheap as well and I really like rebuilding wheels to past the time. Baron S1 are available for under $100 for a pair with shipping so going to give them a shot as 35s appear to be around.
I feel like we need to stop looking at what WC racers do. They ride shit way differently than most of us, and do it with full DH casings and someone to rebuild their wheels at the bottom.
Yeap. But also depends on the design of the tire. For instance the MAXXIS tires being designed around wider rims for the WT type, 30-35mm. Obviously 30 and 35 are two extremes of what they say they work properly for.Certainly wasn't advocating for running that narrow, but I think if you look at the "why" they run those rims it can give you some insight into this discussion. Depending on how much you lean your bike, you may run out of side knobs if you run wide rims.
stock, DTSwiss M1700, 27.5
That's the reason I think Maxxis undersize all their tires. Their outside knobs are consistently aggressive and have little transition. So if someone swaps out their Schwalbes for similar advertised sized Maxxis it would be more squared. Rounded Maxxis tires have been problematic for me especially in the rears pushing through corners. I just feel that split second of no grip before they catch the outside knobs. I'm sure it's me and my slow riding as plenty pros are using Maxxis with narrowish rims. I'm working on down sizing so, just trying to find an optimal setup before I yard sale the rest.Certainly wasn't advocating for running that narrow, but I think if you look at the "why" they run those rims it can give you some insight into this discussion. Depending on how much you lean your bike, you may run out of side knobs if you run wide rims.
bikerumor.com
Schwalbe nailed it,Good read from some of the major tire companies on rounded vs squared tire profiles.
AASQ #107: What tire profile is best for cornering? Rounded or Square?
Maxxis, WTB, Schwalbe, Continental, Vittoria and Michelin talk rounded versus squared-off tire profiles, and reveal their grip test methods
