rear tire size for Oz

[Dennis]

I am looking to fit new tires on my Oz.
Here's my question for all Oz owners:
what's the largest (widest) rear tire you have tried on your Oz? was there a decent amount of clearance for mud between the tire and the sidewall?
what brand of tire was it?

thanks for the info guys.
[smiley=groucho.gif]

[jimbo]

I don't have a carbon swingarm so I can't answer your question.  I do have a question for you carbon swingarm owners.  I usually run 2.3s in the back.  As long as the mud is not the sticky type, I've had no problems.  I have encounter on a couple times mud that was so sticky that I came to a grinding halt.  Small rocks embedded in the mud ground all the paint off on the inner part of the swingarm.  

Would'nt this be an issue with softer carbon?

I switched to 2.1s.  The couple times I had mud clearing problems pretty much ruined my ride.  

[GET]

I run fairly narrow tires on my 5500C (Oz).  During the dry summer months, I have 2.1s.  During the wet seasons, I go less than 2".  Counter to my own initial intuition on the matter, I have found that I get a lot better bite in the mud with narrower tires.  For what its worth, in rock impregnated high-clay mud and vee-brakes, I don't think it matters what width tire you have, they're going to get clogged.  Since I went to discs, I haven't had to worry about clogging.  I still run narrow tires in the mud.

The system that works best for me in mud is a narrow tire with wide knobs inflated to 55+ psi.  The fairly high pressure throws the rocks and mud better.  In dry conditions, I don't use knobbys (panaracer mach ss front and michelyn wildgripper sprint rear).

I know these suggestions are going to rankle a downhiller, but, for my aggressive crosscountry riding, it works best for me.

[RED5]

I don't have an OZ or carbon swingarm, but I can tell you my Monkey will fit a 26 x 2.5, though not comfortably enough for me. The largest tire I run without any sort of nervousness is a 26 x 2.3. Gives me just enough clearance on each side that I don't have to worry should I get a slight wobble in my wheel from a cased jump or hard drop.

In retrospect, the K2 Evo line is definetly starting to show how much insight K2 had with regards to the whole freeride market. On a positive note though, the bikes make one h3ll of an All Mountain bike. Which will be perfect for me when I finally get my BH. Good luck.

[Oz-SUB]

GET

I'm with you, my sentiments exactly.

I've recently changed out my tan wall Conti CrossCountry's 1.9 with Panracer FireXCPro 2.1, but although the latter are OK (printed 580 gms, actual 600 gms), the Conti's are lighter and the best ever for XC.  It's a pity Conti stopped making them in 1.9, now we can only get them here in the UK in an all black 1.5".

Oz-SUB

[Scott]

I agree Oz-SUB, my 1.5 XC Conti have better bite than most any tire I've tried but are suitable for the rear only.  I've used 2.35 Conti Vertical Pros in the rear with no clearance problems and they are great tires too.  You can get 'em cheap from Bill Larson at wlarson@stdairy.com  $18 in steel bead and only 690 grams for that fat width.

[Dennis]

ok, thanks for all the input.
I wasn't thinking only of mud clearance, but since in the first half mile of a typical ride around here I see roots, rocks, soft sand, hardpack, and mud, I was looking for an all-around tire.
I have been using Panaracer 2.1 Dart/Smoke combo for years, but really wanted something wider for the Oz to make it look better, or so I thought.
anyhow, I have come to my senses, and just ordered Schwalbe Black Shark front/rear combo in 2.1 size. I have seen nothing but good writeups for Schwalbe tires, and they have a light blue sidewall.
http://www.schwalbetires.com

also, my Fox Talas R is finally on the way. so, by the time spring vacation comes (a week and a half off from school), I should have the Oz outfitted with the new fork, disc brakes, and Aerospoke wheels. I guess I'll have to wait until next winter to give the Aerospokes the full "Blue Crush" treatment.
anyway, I'll let you guys know how all of this works out. also, my new Calfee road frame should be in by the end of the week.
can't wait for that either!! [smiley=groucho.gif]