2.3" vs. 2.1" tires?

[spokewench]

Sorry, can't help you here. I come from a mountain bike racing background so I like to run narrower tires. It is what I got used to and so I still run them. I like the fact that I climb better on the narrower tire and that is my strength anyway. I am not that great at downhill so my speeds do not increase that much when I am not slipping as much. I gain more on the uphill than I ever will on the downhill. (Just too much of a wimp!)

[fatbottomedgurl]

Hey Em! Panaracer makes a 2.3 in their Fire XC Pro. Some of my friends run them up front.but I think they are mainly for traction in loose dry conditions. There can be a real clearance issue if you get mud in the treads!

Hey I have been able to ride a bit w/o my back hurting too bad, so I guess I'm getting better. It's been almost a year since my car accident! I should be good for spring riding.

[DirtDiva]

Those Panaracers are pretty good for most conditions, actually. Very popular in the UK. They do really well in damp, gritty conditions, in my experience. Thick, gloopy mud is a bit beyond them (but that's beyond almost all tyres) and they're a bit slow on the really dry hardpack, but they're sweet for everything in-between.

[emily_in_nc]

Those Panaracers are pretty good for most conditions, actually. Very popular in the UK. They do really well in damp, gritty conditions, in my experience. Thick, gloopy mud is a bit beyond them (but that's beyond almost all tyres) and they're a bit slow on the really dry hardpack, but they're sweet for everything in-between.

Actually, being a bit slow would be a plus. The gal I MTB with is a little slower than me as she rides a much heavier bike, so slowing me down just a bit would actually work out okay.

Emily

[emily_in_nc]

Hey Em! Panaracer makes a 2.3 in their Fire XC Pro. Some of my friends run them up front.but I think they are mainly for traction in loose dry conditions. There can be a real clearance issue if you get mud in the treads!

Actually, that would be perfect for me. If next summer/fall are as dry as we had here last year in NC, all I'll be riding in is dry, dusty, loose conditions. That's why I was thinking about the 2.3" tire option, for the additional traction. I avoid riding in rain and mud as I just don't care for it, and it doesn't rain in NC much anymore anyway! Thanks for the tip about the Panaracers. When springtime riding starts back up (I take a riding break in the winter and hike, ride the indoor trainer, and run instead), I'll look into them.

Hey I have been able to ride a bit w/o my back hurting too bad, so I guess I'm getting better. It's been almost a year since my car accident! I should be good for spring riding.

Oh, that's great. I still get a bit of hip pain from time to time when I ride (from my April 2005 road bike accident), but it's not bad enough to keep me off the bike -- though I stick to shorter rides now. I know what a maniac you are about MTBing, so am very glad to hear that you've been able to get back on your beautiful bike!

Happy New Year -- I've been away from TE for awhile due to busy-ness with the holidays and our sailboat, but I'm finally getting around to checking in!

Emily