Widest rear tire I can fit?

[Rock Star]

What do you think the widest rear tire I can fit to my 2007 Specialized Rockhopper Comp would be?

It's got a 2.0 Specialized Fast Track front and rear now.

I've been slipping a lot on the trail, particularly at the rear.

I'd like more drive, braking and cornering traction.
And more cushion as well.

I'm considering the Kenda Nevegal, Panaracer Rampage and the Maxxis High Roller.

Would a 2.35 inch version of those tires fit the rear of my bike without issues?

What would be better, 2.35 inch or 2.1 inch?

And of those three tires, which would make the best rear tire for my bike? Which size and compound?

And what about a front tire to go with it?

I ride what I consider all mountain and fast to rugged cross country. I live on the east coast, lots of technical climbing and decending. Lots of tight single track. Lots of rocks and roots. Soil ranges from mud to loose, to sand to occasional hard pack. Sometimes all on the same ride.

Thanks for the help!

[rockyrider]

A 2.35 Nevegal is a big tire as it actually measures 2.35" to the outside edge of the side knobs. Something like a 2.35 Kenda Kinetic actually measures about 2.125" to the outer edge of the side knobs as the side knobs don't stick out as far.

If you've got a 2.0" tire on there now the best thing to do is measure the true width of the tire and the actual clearance on each side of the tire and see if you've got at least an extra 1/4" of clearance on each side.

Maybe a 2.2 or 2.3 Specialized Enduro Pro D2 would be worth a try, they're pretty grippy with soft side knobs and medium hard centre knobs.

[Rock Star]

Sounds like the 2.35 is doubtful to maybe.

Would the enduro be better than the tires I mentioned above or are you mentioning it because it will likely fit better?

How would it compare to the above tires?

What about a 2.1 inch version of the above tires compared to a 2.2 Enduro? Or any other tire for that matter?

What about a front tire to match...or mix?

Front fork is an 07 Rock Shox Tora 302....should be able to accomodate a pretty big tire.

My trails are getting slippery....took a big wipe a few days ago due to the rear end losing traction.

Thanks for the help!

[rockyrider]

I've really been spoiled by gummy rubber tires, especially on the front, anything with a durometer of 50-52 makes me happy. I know several guys running the Specialized Pro D2 on the front of North Shore freeride bikes because those soft side knobs do make it grippier over wet roots and rocks.

Nevegals in Stick-E rubber are popular on the back. 2.1 Nevegals are grippy but they do wear fast, I go through two rear for every front tire. They are a good hardtail rear tire as they still accelerate faster than a 2.35, and you could pair them up with a 2.3" to 2.4" front.

Bontrager makes some interesting Gum-Bi tires with very soft side knobs and slightly harder center knobs.

[LeeMcGough]

You could also try dropping your tire pressure somewhat. Even a 2 psi drop can make a difference. The tire will flex a litte more over roots etc., giving you a little more bite. I would strongly reccomend bringing a couple of spare tubes while you experiment though, in case you drop the pressure a little too much, and pinch flat as a result. I am a smaller rider (150 lbs), and if I put 40 psi in my tires, I get little in the way of grip when the trails are wet. 35 - 36 psi and I get plenty of grip. You can always add air if the trail conditions improve, decreasing rolling resistance. You can't make a fat tire skinnier when you want them to roll faster, however;)

[brown group]

Hard to say what the widest tire might be without measuring both the seat-stay gap and the chain-stay gap.

That said, I'd echo the PSI recommendation - that alone can make a huge difference. Tire width isn't everything:rubber compound, tread pattern and depth suitable for conditions and right PSI are more important.

Lot's of folks have good luck with the Nevegals - you probably won't go wrong there. My choice for a big tire around the Boston area is the 2.4 MotoRaptor. Good grip in loose and mud and lot's of volume though a bit heavy. My current all around tires are Specialized Fast Trak Pro's in a 2.2. Wicked fast even at 30psi but I wouldn't use them in really wet or loose conditions (that's what the Moto's are for).

[gti2k2000]

It's hard to say what will fit , even when you know the clearance between the stays. Tire companies seem to use their own methods to measure. A 2.1 from one might be wider than a 2.3 from another. I think some measure the actual casing and others measure across the knobs. The Specialized 2.3 tires on my Enduro are a lot wider that the 2.3 tires my nephew got from another manufacturer. I'm afraid the only real way to be sure is mount and inflate the tires.

[Mister Chow]

Be aware that there's more to fitting a big tire than seeing daylight between the rubber and metal. Wheels flex and tires flex, especially big ones. And there's always the issue of mud clearance. Just keep it in mind before you get a flat down the road and notice that your tire has cut a groove into your frame.

BTW I'm using GEAX Sagauro 2.2. They roll fast, predicable grip and they're not heavy at all.