JDurk
Well-Known Member
The 2.4 definitely looks bigger than it is. Also a tire that definitely changes feel with pressure. With my fat ass, I could get away with 18/20psi F/R and only rim strike occasionally with Flow EX rims. With the Rekons, I'm running 17/19. A thing I did notice when riding Wiss rocks, the side knobs will snap loudly when catching a rock. Sounds scary, but never had 1 rip the tire.Thanks for the info, John! Yeah, I thought it was a good time to try something new. I have always loved the Ikons for racing and they're probably ideal for spots like Wharton because they have always rolled very fast. But I wanted to see if I'd be happier with something a bit more aggressive in rockier spots like Wiss or FC right now - I haven't lined up for a race now in over two years and while I'd like to do something this year (pandemic permitting!) I think my overall plan is to just ride a ton this year and that means I'll have the luxury of playing with some new setup without worrying about sticking to what's worked for racing in the past. BTW - the front is a 2.4, which is only slightly larger than the 2.3 Ikon I had on there before, but holy crap does it ever look huge! Probably a combo of larger tread and the extra size, but it looks like a balloon on there!
A few other things I may play with this year - possibly going to pick up a ti cog form Boone to see how that rides. They're super expensive for cogs, so I'd probably just go with something like a 19 since that's my "go-to" gear for most rides. If I really love it, I might get a 20 for Rothrock rides, but I'd really have to love it a lot to get two at those prices. And, of course, my one other add this year (???) is my I9 wheels. I order a set of Trail 280 24 spokes last April and I am hoping they finally arrive soon (with "soon" basically meaning "in 2022 at some point.") My current front wheel is basically a dumpster fire being held together with duct tape and chewing gum at this point, so I really, really want those damn wheels to get here already.
There is one other thing I'm waiting on as well, but I'm kind of ashamed of that one ... it's a ... well ... it's ... got ... gears ...
Actually, that's been a plan for a couple of years now ever since my lower back decided it was done with me for good (who'd have guessed that riding only a SS for 12 years - and at least half of that time on rigid - could have negative effects on a middle aged body???) I figure if it ever arrives - it's a Niner RKT that has been on order since June - it'll be a nice change of pace now and then to keep the back from dipping out on me once and for all.
Boone Ti cog FTW. I bought an 18 and 19 when they were first available. Got the 18 in the $60-70 range, and the 19 in the $70-80 range. As demand went up, so did the pricing. I have a few brand new Surly cogs I'll be selling.
No shame in having a geared and FS option. I'm looking to get a suspension fork for my SS because of the recent surgery on my thumb. Also planning to sell both of my geared bikes and replace with 1 all around bike, which I'm also waiting for. I could always put a RD and gears on the SS.