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27.5 Tire Size Reference

149K views 324 replies 118 participants last post by  Dagonger 
#1 · (Edited)
The intent here is to create a list of tires in a size ranking. Since I cannot ensure each tire is measured the same way or on the same rim, at same pressure, etc. my goal is strictly to quantify them in relative comparisons to one another. If we know A > B and B > C then we can list them as A, B, C as a ranking of large to small even if the A-B and B-C comparisons aren't the same. We need only ensure that any given comparison occur on same rim and at the same pressure for each tire in that comparison. I believe this is necessary both for overall tire diameter as well as tire width.

Here is what I have culled from various threads, and if there is an omission or an error just please post and I can update the list accordingly (I expect there WILL be errors, so please point them out and help make this a great reference).

Diameter, from largest to smallest:
  1. Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.35 (Pacestar: 698 g - 730 g)
  2. Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2.35 (Trailstar: 790 g - 834 g, Pacestar: 813 g - 840 g)
  3. Vee Rubber Trail Taker 2.4 (735 g - 735 g)
  4. Maxxis Ardent 2.25 (690 g - 690 g)
  5. WTB Wolverine 2.2 (590 g - 590 g)
  6. Kenda Nevegal 2.35 (706 g - 706 g)
  7. Pacenti Neo-Moto 2.1 (xxx g - xxx g)
  8. Pacenti Neo-Moto 2.3 (740 g - 740 g)
  9. Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.25 (501 g - 586 g)
  10. Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25 (575 g - 580 g)
  11. Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2.25 (xxx g - xxx g)
  12. Kenda Nevegal 2.1 (xxx g - xxx g)
  13. IRD Fire XC Pro 2.1 (xxx g - xxx g)
  14. Vee Rubber Mission 2.1 (629 g - 634 g)
  15. Maxxis Crossmark 2.1 (Standard: 611 g - 629 g, Exception: 501 g - 532 g)
  16. Vee Rubber Vee 10 2.1 (xxx g - xxx g)
  17. Pacenti Quasi-Moto 2.0 (xxx g - xxx g)

Not ranked for diameter:
Schwalbe Rocket Ron 2.25 (Pacestar: 463 g - 528 g)

Width, from widest to narrowest:
  1. Vee Rubber Trail Taker 2.4
  2. Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2.35
  3. Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.35
  4. Maxxis Ardent 2.25
  5. Pacenti Neo-Moto 2.3
  6. Kenda Nevegal 2.35
  7. WTB Wolverine 2.2
  8. Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2.25
  9. Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.25
  10. Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25
  11. Pacenti Neo-Moto 2.1
  12. Kenda Nevegal 2.1
  13. IRD Fire XC Pro 2.1
  14. Vee Rubber Mission 2.1
  15. Maxxis Crossmark 2.1
  16. Vee Rubber Vee 10 2.1
  17. Pacenti Quasi-Moto 2.0

Not ranked for width:
Schwalbe Rocket Ron 2.25

Fred
 
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#5 ·
The Neo-Moto 2.1 and 2.3 supposedly share the same casing and differ only in the size of the tread pattern, so it could be just manufacturing tolerances that result in me measuring my 2.1 taller than my 2.3 and at least one other individual doing the same. But in my experience at least they are extremely close in overall diameter such that if you can clear one in that dimension then you should be able to use either. Depending on the feedback we get from others I may edit the original post to show some as ties either for diameter or width, as applicable.

Fred
 
#6 ·
I agree completely that the actual measured sizes would be of benefit, but unfortunately I do not believe it would be correct to include that at this time. Consider that if 'James' measures two tires, 'John' measures two, 'Jake' measures two, 'Joe' measures two, 'Jerry' measures two, 'Jen' measures two, and 'Jill' measures two we can legitimately collect all those comparisons and compile into a single listing (as I have attempted here, above). Likely they all used different measuring devices, different rims, different pressures, etc., they most likely will not all report the exact same specifications for a Neo-Moto 2.3 and Kenda Nevegal 2.35. However, all that compared those two tires are likely to agree which was taller and which was wider, even though their measurements are unlikely to agree exactly on either tire.

What may help us all, however, is if folks reply here with their actual measurements. In doing so please include the specific rim used as well as the pressure (and for consistency let's all try to measure at 30 PSI). As we collect data we may then be able to then list size ranges for the tires as part of the list.

Fred
 
#9 ·
The intent here is to create a list of tires in a size ranking. Since I cannot ensure each tire is measured the same way or on the same rim, at same pressure, etc. my goal is strictly to quantify them in relative comparisons to one another. If we know A > B and B > C then we can list them as A, B, C as a ranking of large to small even if the A-B and B-C comparisons aren't the same. We need only ensure that any given comparison occur on same rim and at the same pressure for each tire in that comparison. I believe this is necessary both for overall tire diameter as well as tire width.

Here is what I have culled from various threads, and if there is an omission or an error just please post and I can update the list accordingly (I expect there WILL be errors, so please point them out and help make this a great reference).

Diameter, from largest to smallest:
  1. Vee Rubber Trail Taker 2.4
  2. Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.35
  3. Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2.35
  4. Maxxis Ardent 2.25
  5. Kenda Nevegal 2.35
  6. Pacenti Neo-Moto 2.1
  7. Pacenti Neo-Moto 2.3
  8. WTB Wolverine 2.2
  9. Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.25
  10. Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25
  11. Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2.25
  12. Kenda Nevegal 2.1
  13. IRD Fire XC Pro 2.1
  14. Vee Rubber Mission 2.1
  15. Maxxis Crossmark 2.1
  16. Vee Rubber Vee 10 2.1
  17. Pacenti Quasi-Moto 2.0

Width, from widest to narrowest:
  1. Vee Rubber Trail Taker 2.4
  2. Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2.35
  3. Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.35
  4. Maxxis Ardent 2.25
  5. Pacenti Neo-Moto 2.3
  6. Kenda Nevegal 2.35
  7. Pacenti Neo-Moto 2.1
  8. WTB Wolverine 2.2
  9. Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2.25
  10. Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.25
  11. Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25
  12. Kenda Nevegal 2.1
  13. IRD Fire XC Pro 2.1
  14. Vee Rubber Mission 2.1
  15. Maxxis Crossmark 2.1
  16. Vee Rubber Vee 10 2.1
  17. Pacenti Quasi-Moto 2.0

Fred
The Vee Rubber Trail Taker 2.4 is the widest, but not the tallest, I'll still give the award to the NN 2.35.
 
#11 ·
Gram,

Have you compared the two? Can you verify where the TT fits in diameter as compared to the Hans Dampf?

Fred

P.S. I've added tire weights to the list, showing the lowest and highest reported weights. If yours fall outside the range I have listed, just post her please.
 
#13 · (Edited)
This makes sense and could prove quite useful. We could supplement this with measurements as they become more commonly understood.

Also useful could be a corresponding list of 26" tires so we see the overlap in sizes, allowing me to answer the question, "which 26" tires are as tall or taller than a 650b Neo 2.1"?
 
#24 · (Edited)
My measurements for a few 27.5 and 26 tires.

Also useful could be a corresponding list of 26" tires so we see the overlap in sizes, allowing me to answer the question, "which 26" tires are as tall or taller than a 650b Neo 2.1"?
I posted my measurements about a month ago in another thread, but for the life of me, I can't find it again using the Search function on this site. I must be an idiot... So, I'm re-posting this (sorry if you've seen it before):

Brand, Model (Nominal Size) Rim: Measured Dia. x Measured Width

Schwalbe, Hans Dampf SnakeSkin (27.5x2.35) Flow EX: 27.90 x 2.43
Maxxis, Ardent EXO (27.5x2.25) Flow EX: 27.88 x 2.29
Kenda, Nevegal (27.5x2.35) Flow EX: 27.75 x 2.43
Pacenti, NeoMoto (27.5x2.1) Flow EX: 27.63 x 2.21
Schwalbe, Hans Dampf SnakeSkin (27.5x2.25) Crest: 27.57x2.23
Pacenti, NeoMoto (27.5x2.3) Flow EX: 27.56 x 2.41
Kenda, Nevegal DTC (27.5x2.1) Crest: 27.53 x 2.24

Maxxis, Ardent (26x2.4) Flow: 27.19 x 2.42
Maxxis, Minion DHF 3C Wire Bead (26x2.7) Flow: 26.88 x 2.51
Specialized Control, S-Works (26x2.3) Arch EX: 26.81 x 2.26
Maxxis, Ardent (26x2.25) Flow: 26.81 x 2.23
Kenda, Nevegal StickE (26x2.1) Arch EX: 26.63 x 2.17

Tires inflated to 30psi for all measurements. Width measured at the widest point, be it the knobs, or the carcass.

*Edit 24Aug2013: Added 27.5x2.35 Schwalbe HD
*Edit 25Aug2013: Corrected 27.5x2.25 Schwalbe HD measurements, and added 26x2.7 Maxxis Minion measurements.
 
#16 ·
If we are talking about actual real life tires measured and/or compared on an actual bicycle, the ranking above for the Neomoto 2.1 vs Racing Ralph 2.25 are reversed.

On my 2008 Brodie Mettle 26" fs xc mtb, a Neomoto 2.1 fits on the rear with ample clearance, but although the wheel actually fits on the bike seated fully in the dropouts with the 2.25 Racing Ralph, the tire contacts the frame and the tire won't turn. Either your width or diameter ranking for these tires is incorrect.
 
#20 ·
Really good stuff Rager, thanks!
Everybody needs to remember to consider the age of the tire when making comparisons, in addition to rim width, pressure, etc.
I mounted a 2.3 Neo Moto that was a mm or two smaller than the 2.1 it was replacing, but that 2.1 had survived longer than any other (and I've trashed a box full of them) and was reaaaaally supple and well stretched, where-as the 2.3 was brand spanking new and still kind of stiff and small.
 
#21 ·
Fred, thanks for posting this chart. Believe it or not, I was really getting frustrated
on the min. clearance or lack thereof on my rear wheel with Nevegals 2.1 and was
contemplating just saying the hell with it! I'm going to lace up a 26'er back on.

So by chance, I stumbled on this thread and decided to give it another chance
and try a couple of Quasi Motos. What the hell, I already spent $$$ converting,
waiting (back order on P35's) the damn rims anyways.

I sometimes (I have NO LIFE) dream about rocks and pebbles eating up my rear
yoke on the bikes and finishing up a ride with barely any aluminum left between
the tire and the rear triangle. Actually they are nightmares. Again thanks!

Pics of my 650b converts: 2 stinkys, each now with sand blasted rear triangles
from pebbles and stuff due to low rear tire clearance--not on the bottom but
on the top portion. The bottom has 1-3/4" of clearance. Go figure.
 

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#30 ·
Can you define 'easy'? How many mm clearance at the arch, and how many mm clearance to the crown at bottom-out?

From my experience with 2012 fox talas 32/150 and float 34/160, A 650b Nevegal 2.35 on a Flow EX barely clears arch (1-2mm max) and hits on bottom-out...

Even on my 2011 36/160, I only have about 5mm clearance with the 2.35 Nev.
 
#33 ·
I just mounted the 2.4" Trail Taker (on Stan's Arch EX rims) on my bike with a Fox 32 RL FIT 150mm, and there's approximately 3/16"-1/4" of clearance. I had the 2.2" WTB Wolverine on there before, and that gave me between 1/4-3/8" of clearance.

The Trail Taker is definitely a BEEFY tire... it's every bit of 2.4"+ wide (if not more) which is exactly what I wanted on the front of my Blur LT. I got in 20 miles this morning and I like what I've seen so far. It's relatively light for its size and it seems to roll well in comparison to the Wolverine I had on there previously. I'll post a picture of the clearance a little later.
 
#35 ·
I don't have exact measurements, but here's a picture of the Vee Trail Taker on my Fox 32 RL Float FIT 150mm fork (and Stans Arch EX rims). There's about 1/4" of clearance on top, and plenty of clearance on the sides. The tire pressure is around 32 PSI and the tires have only seen one 20-mile ride so they're virtually new.

 
#36 ·
That's plenty for my comfort level at the arch. What's happening at the bottom of the crown at bottom out? Gotta be rubbing slightly at least but I'll also default to what doismellbacon said about the Fox forks and their ability to NOT get full travel.
 
#38 ·
Schwalbe Racing Ralphs 650b x 2.25" (57-584)
Mounted on Alex XD Lite 584x18
Approx 12 light miles on dirt singletrack...so pretty new.

As measured with digital calipers.

Width @ 30psi
knob to knob
53.6mm (2.112")

sidewall to sidewall
52.1mm (2.053")
____________________________

Width @ 50psi
knob to knob
53.9mm (2.122")

sidewall to sidewall
52.9mm (2.086")
 
#79 ·
These measurements are consistent with my experience with Neo-Moto 2.3 and Trail Taker measured size growth with higher pressures.

I also found no significant measurable difference in width or height (rollout) within commonly ridden tire pressure range, 25 to 35 psi.

Rim width difference does change sidewall and tread profile. Using the same tire pressures, wider rims increase sidewall width mostly near the rim, and very slightly narrow tread widths, and edge knobs stand up to slighlty flatten or square the tread profile, and the casing under the edge knobs is firmer allowing using much lower air pressures without reducing sidewall stability.
 
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