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FB17: 27.5 x 2.6″ tires start rolling in from Maxxis, Teravail kicks off all new tire line with Plus MTB

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Michelin wasn’t the only company showcasing new treads in the middle sized 2.6″ width at Frostbike this year. Maxxis also had two new options in their booth – the Rekon and Forekaster. The Rekon has become a popular tire for true plus size bikes at 2.8″, but the addition of a 2.6″ should be welcomed. The same could be said for the Forekaster as it offers a bit more aggressive tread that is more widely spaced for improved mud shedding.

While they weren’t 2.6″, Teraveil had new tires their booth as well – which sound like they’re just the beginning…

Equipped with all the same tech that you love from Maxxis, the Rekon and Forekaster were shown in Tubeless ready 120 tpi casings with their EXO sidewall protection and 3C Maxx Terra rubber compounds. We’ll have to wait for pricing and availability, but like Michelin, Maxxis has their tire summit coming up and we’ll bring you all the details.

maxxis.com

Teravail only had a single bike in their booth, but it was shod with brand new plus options front and rear. Called the Kennebec on the front and the Cumberland on the rear, the two represent new options for the 27.5 x 2.8″ crowd with a chunky aggressive front and faster rolling rear option that still has big cornering blocks. We’re told this is just the tip of the iceberg for Teravail and that we’ll see a lot more from the brand at Sea Otter.

teravail.com

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bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago

So funny that 2.6 is plus now? I get 3.0, but 2.6? What is old is new when you put a fresh marketing spin on it.

Skyler Des Roches
7 years ago
Reply to  bearcol

Given Maxxis 2.8s never measured more than about 2.65″ on wide rims, I reckon 2.6″ has been passing add plus for a while. But, more than likely these are 2.45s..

traildog
traildog
7 years ago

If they need to call it a 2.6 to make trail tires of the same actual volume as a schwalbe 2.35 or conti 2.4, I guess that’s OK with me, i’ll get out the calipers. Bets on actual width on a 30mm rim?

I’m going with 61 mm.

Joseph Jones
Joseph Jones
6 years ago
Reply to  bearcol

Please name a 29 x 2.6 tire that existed prior to the new models listed above.

Heffe
Heffe
7 years ago

I’m stoked to see the 2.6 tires come out!

Marin
Marin
7 years ago

If I didn’t know better, I’d suspect industry is making everyone switch to 27.5+ only to make you buy 29+ in a few years…

Mr Pink
Mr Pink
7 years ago
Reply to  Marin

That’s a pretty stupid forum junkie comment to be making. Mtbr is missing you right now I’m sure…..

Joseph Jones
Joseph Jones
6 years ago
Reply to  Marin

Please define exactly what you meant when you typed, “…make you buy…”.

What bike and/or wheel/tire maker ever “made you buy” anything, and exactly how did they do that? With a gun to your head? Did they implant a receiver device in your tooth filling? Do they brainwash you with illegal subliminal message? Threaten you with no desert? All the above?

I’d really like to know because I’m in business and want to “make” people buy my products.

rodegeek
rodegeek
7 years ago

You should correct your headline and text. Teravail was spelled incorrectly every time.

ascarlarkinyar
ascarlarkinyar
7 years ago

27.5x 2.6? Why bother. 29″ or 29 plus already has this size handled. Niche within a niche.

Fatty_Plus
Fatty_Plus
7 years ago

Awesome ! Bring on the 2.6’s ! 2.6 on the back and 2.8 on the front ! 🙂

Btw the Teravail site only has 3.0’s listed for the Cumberland and Kennebec tires ??? Are they 2.8’s or 3.0’s ?

Nick
Nick
7 years ago

So is 2.6 a “mid-plus” tire?

Fred
Fred
7 years ago
Reply to  Nick

That is what “they” will call it but really 2.6 should be called 2.6 or 66mm end of story.

Joseph Jones
Joseph Jones
6 years ago
Reply to  Nick

I read that Maxxis and others call 2.4-2.8 WT for Wide Trail.

grandeRicardo
grandeRicardo
7 years ago

Is that a custom painted Karate Monkey? Or a new Surly model?

Mr. P
7 years ago

I’ve been running 2.6 (Butcher Grid) on the front for almost 6 months, and it is a thing. Plus without the plus (50g increase in weight over the undersized 2.3 Butcher). 20 psi on the front. It’s the real deal.

bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago
Reply to  Mr. P

I have a few discontinued specialized clutch and chunder sx casing 26×2.5 tires that measure 2.6. Funny that spec’s 2.3 has always run small while their 2.5 runs big.

Bazz
Bazz
7 years ago

Where are the 29er versions?

RobertW
RobertW
7 years ago

Been riding Maxxis for over a decade. The Maxxis tires may be 2.6, probably more like 2.3 actual since Maxxis engineers and the people who print the size on the sidewall appear to live in different countries, speak different languages, and may not even know each other exists.

Splayleg
Splayleg
7 years ago

man I see so many pros on these oversized tires. They must be super fast and responsive

JP
JP
7 years ago

I took my 2.5 DHF off and replaced it with a 2.4 Bonty XR4 and my bike actually feels better especially going up. Its lost little going down and I took off 300g of weight at the same time.

Are people proposing to use the 2.6 for everyday riding or is this enduro riding/racing only? I love pushing it 100% descending and haven’t wanted for any more grip than the 2.5 DHF and the XR4 is a little shy of that grip level but for trail riding that’s totally fine. I don’t race so maybe I’ve missed the point.

bearcol
bearcol
7 years ago
Reply to  JP

You’re not missing the point. We learned 15 years ago that going wider than 2.5 produced no advantage for DH racing. Enduro didn’t exist back then, but if the best DH racers in the world found no advantage, enduro won’t be different. Wider than 2.5 isn’t for racing. Traction is slow!

That said, 2.6 isn’t much wider than 2.5 which has proven itself as a great size for certain conditions. I’m down with 2.6. I loved my old nokian gazza 2.6’s. Very similar in size to many 2.5’s that are now discontinued. I’m hoping to see a resurgence of 2.5’s under this new + marketing thing.

Phosphene
Phosphene
6 years ago

Plus is a height thing as much as width. You can have a 2.6 that is not plus.

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