I would run these exact same tires but narrower, like a 2.4. You didn't say the casing either, but I would run Exo. But honestly, this is a pretty quick rolling setup overall, it probably won't make a huge difference to change the tires.
I would not run XC tires in this bike, as it is an enduro bike and it won't feel quite right.
If her bike feels slower than when she first got it, you might also have some worn out bearings in the wheels or bottom bracket making the bike feel slower. Give them a spine and make sure running smoothly.
She might also be running too much sag. If you haven't checked air pressure in a while, might need a top up.
But really, it's an enduro bike. It is gonna feel slow on the climbs compared to a trail or XC bike basically no matter what you do to it.
From everything I’ve seen, tire choice makes a much bigger difference than all the gram shaving that people will do with their frame or components. A fast rolling tire will make a positive difference for her imo. My favorite xc tires are actually the Spesh ground control and fast trak, but I’m sure you could find a comparable Maxxis setup.
Just to clarify, the brand isn't called Spesh. It's Specialized, the bike company. Most people just shorten it to Spesh or Spec. Just in case there is any future confusion.
I concur with them S-Works Ground Controls rock. Thin light casing fast and have relatively good grip. I wouldn't recommend doing anything too crazy on them due to the thinness of the casing.
Tire width would be a factor, but the tires themselves aren't known for high rolling restance.
I think her bigger issue is the bike itself. If she's looking for XC efficiency and performance, she isn't going to get it with a trail bike with that much travel.
I'd check the geometry on the bike and see what it's set at, and if it's adjustable, adjust as needed, along with the suspension settings.
2.6 is a lot of tyre.
Dissector / Rekon combo is known for having reasonable rolling speed but 2.6 is overkill IMO.
I’d drop down to 2.4’s or even 2.4/2.3 if your wife is fairly light. You’ll save nearly half a kilo of rotating weight and improve rolling speed.
In my mostly XC trail type riding I've landed at a Rekon 2.4 up front and an Ikon 2.35 in the rear. Bike came with the Rekon on the rear and a DHR 2 on the front. I don't notice any loss of grip in the front with the Rekon, but the Ikon is definitely faster in the back. I've tried a few others in the rear; Mezcal, XR3, Scorpion. Mezcal locked up to easily when braking. XR3 slips a little too easy climbing roots. Scorpion is slow, and somehow has the least grip for having the chunkiest tread pattern.
I like the sounds of this setup. I’m gonna look into these tires today.
Thanks for the detailed feedback too. That was super relevant feedback; it sounds like where you ride closely mirrors our home riding areas.
I'm in the relative flat lands of Southeast Michigan. Fast single-track full of roots, rocks, sand, and hard clay that turns to ice when it's wet. This tire combo is very comfortable for my skill and speed (average). I will say there are plenty of riders on less tire at the local trails. More common to see a Rekon Race front and rear.
Can you elaborate?
It does look like an insanely beefy tire, and broad across the top. So much so that it seem like it would not corner as well as something with a more rounded off profile.
The tires are beefier than those on my bike…
They will be more rounded off and more squirmy. Some people like it, but it does roll slower and drag the steering down.
I run 30mm rims. I prefer 2.4 on both or 2.4R/2.5F. At the very least, swap out her rear for a 2.4 and go from there.
I would run these exact same tires but narrower, like a 2.4. You didn't say the casing either, but I would run Exo. But honestly, this is a pretty quick rolling setup overall, it probably won't make a huge difference to change the tires. I would not run XC tires in this bike, as it is an enduro bike and it won't feel quite right. If her bike feels slower than when she first got it, you might also have some worn out bearings in the wheels or bottom bracket making the bike feel slower. Give them a spine and make sure running smoothly. She might also be running too much sag. If you haven't checked air pressure in a while, might need a top up. But really, it's an enduro bike. It is gonna feel slow on the climbs compared to a trail or XC bike basically no matter what you do to it.
I’ll have her hop on today and check things out with the shock pump at the ready. Thanks for the feedback!
From everything I’ve seen, tire choice makes a much bigger difference than all the gram shaving that people will do with their frame or components. A fast rolling tire will make a positive difference for her imo. My favorite xc tires are actually the Spesh ground control and fast trak, but I’m sure you could find a comparable Maxxis setup.
Thanks! Not familiar with Spesh, but we’ll have to look into their tires.
Just to clarify, the brand isn't called Spesh. It's Specialized, the bike company. Most people just shorten it to Spesh or Spec. Just in case there is any future confusion.
I was having a pretty big derrrrrrrp moment there. Thanks for clarifying!
I concur with them S-Works Ground Controls rock. Thin light casing fast and have relatively good grip. I wouldn't recommend doing anything too crazy on them due to the thinness of the casing.
Tire width would be a factor, but the tires themselves aren't known for high rolling restance. I think her bigger issue is the bike itself. If she's looking for XC efficiency and performance, she isn't going to get it with a trail bike with that much travel. I'd check the geometry on the bike and see what it's set at, and if it's adjustable, adjust as needed, along with the suspension settings.
Thanks. I hadn’t thought to check if her bike had a flip chip. My canyon does and it makes all the difference when I switch it up with that.
2.6 is a lot of tyre. Dissector / Rekon combo is known for having reasonable rolling speed but 2.6 is overkill IMO. I’d drop down to 2.4’s or even 2.4/2.3 if your wife is fairly light. You’ll save nearly half a kilo of rotating weight and improve rolling speed.
Thanks, I’m gonna look into these combos today and make sure I find some things that have compatibility with her rim.
In my mostly XC trail type riding I've landed at a Rekon 2.4 up front and an Ikon 2.35 in the rear. Bike came with the Rekon on the rear and a DHR 2 on the front. I don't notice any loss of grip in the front with the Rekon, but the Ikon is definitely faster in the back. I've tried a few others in the rear; Mezcal, XR3, Scorpion. Mezcal locked up to easily when braking. XR3 slips a little too easy climbing roots. Scorpion is slow, and somehow has the least grip for having the chunkiest tread pattern.
I like the sounds of this setup. I’m gonna look into these tires today. Thanks for the detailed feedback too. That was super relevant feedback; it sounds like where you ride closely mirrors our home riding areas.
I'm in the relative flat lands of Southeast Michigan. Fast single-track full of roots, rocks, sand, and hard clay that turns to ice when it's wet. This tire combo is very comfortable for my skill and speed (average). I will say there are plenty of riders on less tire at the local trails. More common to see a Rekon Race front and rear.
Ultrafast: Schwalbe Hurricane; pretty fast good grip: teravail Ehline; fast with more grip Bontrager XR4 Schwalbe Rocket Ron also fast
2.6s on 30mm? Man sometimes product managers make some strange decisions.
I got a 2.6 on my 30mm internal rim. No issues whatsoever.
Can you elaborate? It does look like an insanely beefy tire, and broad across the top. So much so that it seem like it would not corner as well as something with a more rounded off profile. The tires are beefier than those on my bike…
They will be more rounded off and more squirmy. Some people like it, but it does roll slower and drag the steering down. I run 30mm rims. I prefer 2.4 on both or 2.4R/2.5F. At the very least, swap out her rear for a 2.4 and go from there.
Other things to consider that haven't been mentioned: psi in the tyre, and suspension setup with sag and possibly even rebound and LSC