I’m a big fan of the 26x3 format. It’s very nearly as big as a 29er but you don’t have to be so careful over rocky stuff. A lighter tyre is nice for climbs, but for the sort of stuff I usually ride (mix of easy fast xc and pretty rocky stuff) the 3" tyre is really nice. 26x2.6 downhill tyres are similar (will they fit in the KH26?), but I’d expect a 2.3 would be a bit puny (might as well use a 29er).
I do occasionally use a 1.9" Ritchey z-max on my 26 if it’s extremely muddy and non-technical (Mayhem/Sleepless!), but unless it’s REALLY vile the 3" is faster (and far more forgiving, which is nice in a long race as well). I’ve thought about getting a 29er a few times, but the 26x3 is so versatile I think I’d only use the 29er very rarely for racing.
I started on a 24 x 2.6, then got a 26 x 3, added a KH 29er with a Stout, then later went back to a 24 x 3. What I found was that I liked teh larger wheel, but a narrower tire (Stout is 2.3) was a problem in terms of stability and shock absorption when doing technical trail riding.
When I looked to get back into the 26er, after selling my 29er, I was also hopeful about the KH 26 being adaptable to a larger tire. So instead, I am now running a 26 x 2.5 on a Nimbus frame.
I think the average muni rider really benefits from a wider tire, esp on a wide rim, there’s more control, more shock absorption, and it’s easier to handle low speeds. As my skills have developed I am more willing to ride a narrower tire, but what if I want to do more technical riding, riding on soft surfaces, or I want to sell the uni/frame?
Kris has a valid point, but for some folks the 26er is a big boys 24er, which is my case at 6’/200#. For comparison, my son, who is 5’6"/110#, my 26er to him is like a 29er is to me.
I did consider keeping the 29er, but at the time there were no wider rim options, and there are still no high volume tires; the Stout is just not big enough.
I have a 24x3 Nimbus and a KH29 with the Kenda Nevegal. I have gotten used to the firmer ride and I keep grabbing the 29 when I head for the trails. My biggest problem on the 24 is pedal strikes, which I find highly annoying. As my skills have improved, I find that I am riding through all my technical challenging trail sections as well or better on the 29. Of course I haven’t gone back with the 24 (maybe I’m just getting better). I plan on getting the new wider rim for the 29 to see if I get a cushier ride.
I am loving my KH24! I dont think its the 09 though. I think I have the 08 based upon the seat.
I’m small, really small. Luckily with the seat post all the way down it fits. But I might be the only one here that finds the 3" too wide. My knees are always hitting the knobs and its very heavy. Whats the narrowest tire that rim can handle? I might change my mind later when I get better, but I would have a hard time pushing that tire through mud. Would a 2.3" work?
Well, a wider tire is heavier, but you might find it’s actually better in the mud. It sort of floats better.
For your knees hitting the tire…
Believe it or not, knees bending in could from your pedal setup being too wide. Since you’re small, esp. if you have slim hips, you don’t want too wide of a “stance”, that is, you don’t want your pedals too far out to the side.
For now, find spots as far to the inside of the pedal platforms as you can comfortably use and try to keep your knees away from the knobbies. As you improve, as I’m sure you will - from the sound of it, you’re well obsessed, your pedal stroke will smooth out, and you’ll be able to deal with different width stances, or a variety of “q-factors” (the measure of how far a crank bends away from the hub).
You might want to try a straighter crank (i.e. has a smaller q-factor), although the cranks on your KH24 don’t have a very big q-factor. Someone else might be able to elaborate on what cranks are available for KH hubs, or search this forum for that.
One of my son’s friends is maybe 90#/5’ tall, she’s riding my Nimbus 24" freestyle with a BMX styled “jump” tyre Arrow Launch 2.35; at your size, a 3" is way too much tyre, really an overkill unless you are way agro.
So, I’d replace the tire with a 2.35" - 2.7" tyre, something single wall and lighter. Some obvious choices come to mind including the Kenda Kolossal 24 x 2.6-inch DH which used to be the stock tyre for the Nimbus 24" muni.
Be aware of tire weights, you can get by with a lighter tire than a big guy like me (200#), so don’t get a tyre with a thick sidewall. You’ll need to search for tyre weights. With the KH 47mm rim, a narrower tire will present with a flatter profile which will help with stability as you learn to muni.
You may need to order a few tires before you find one you like. The Kenda Kolosalla is an okay tyre, mayeb a little heavy, but a decent choice for muni. The Arrow launch is a XC tyre suitable for road and packed dirt, not a bad choice for all around, though not as good fore super tch stuff. Also look at rubber compounds and pick one that is stickier, that way you’ll get better root and rock traction. Shoot for a tyre in the 800-1000gm range and you’ll be saving weight and feel more agile.
UDC (USA) finally has the new seat and handle in stock! I ordered a new seat for Louise to try out; she isn’t happy with her old seat, and she doesn’t like the current KH model. She’s been using an older one with older foam, and prefers it to the newer foam, but isn’t 100% happy. So, we are going to give the new seat a try for her. I also ordered some spare cranks, seat posts and pedals for my Africa tour coming up soon. After I bought all that stuff, I didn’t have quite enough left over to grab a new handlebar. I’ll have to wait on getting one, but at least we’ll have one new seat that can have it installed in the future. Or, I can use it as an inspiration point to make more of my own handlebars
Great news Corbin; I ordered the KH 09 saddle + Handlebar yet to try them but they will be with me in africa so you can try out the bar then. I’ve never been a fan of the current saddles, hopefully the 09 turns out to be more comfortable. First test ride is tomorrow!
I"m really getting into BMX cruisers for tracks and dirt jumping so I do have some tires. But they are 1.85 usually like tioga and intense. I just got a small block 8 on it for the front and its about as thick as a 2.3 but its listed as 2.1. That rolls amazingly and is absorbs shock well on jumps. I was thinking of putting that on for now. I ordered a 2.5 hookworm but they are taking their time shipping it. I’m just struggling for now keeping it up with the extra weight, especially on turns but getting better. I seem to be rubbing my knees less at least. Yes, old but same size as your sons friend lol. Nice to know a 2.35 is OK. I think I will have to change when I get ready to do muni. I might need to change tubes too?
Does she wear knee pads? I’m thinking of getting race face knee/shin guards. They recommended me a small womens since I’m an adult but I think I need youth L. He said its made for a 12 year old, think I’m the size of a 12 year old still lol. I have the smalls in 661s and they are def. too wide.
I’m sooo happy I got a KH as a Nimbus would feel like a brick. I wonder if eventually I’ll be able to handle a 29" or larger.
Hi Geoff,
I hope for you that KH handlebar will be stronger than your T7 because may be more difficult to find someone to fix it as you did during last Induni tour ! Enjoy Africa …
Didier
Hey Kris, I really don’t mean to get on your nerves, but don’t you have anything to reply to us 26x3 (or large volume 26er) lovers? How about the brake mount modification for 29er frames?
Even though there are a few of us, I think we’re still too small a minority to influence production. Most people use a 24x3 for techie stuff and a skinnier 29er for xc. Personally, I use my 36er for xc commuting if I go the easy way (mostly gravel/hardpack) or 26x3 for the rocky/mixed routes. I could get by with a 29er on the rockier stuff if I was careful, but I like not having to be careful
Sorry (Kris) about saying this on this thread, but if you want a 26x3 frame with brake mounts, the new Nimbus one is really nice and easily available.
Thanks Rob, I know it is a nice option, but my KH/Schlumpf hub (which has gone for another long vacation in Switzerland) can only be used with the KH style bearing holders as far as I know…
Kris posted a while ago that he was taking all our complaining about the low crown on the KH26 into consideration and is going to raise it to accommodate 3" tires for 2010.
That may be true, I don’t know. The new Nimbus frames have machined bearing holders rather than the old pressed ones, but they aren’t quite like the KH ones.
Anyway, this is way off-topic so I’ll shut up now. FWIW, I really like KH frames and if one had been available to fit my 26x3 with brake when I replaced my old Nimbus recently I’d probably have forked out a bit of extra cash for a KH rather than a new Nimbus, just “because they’re nice”.
That rolls amazingly and is absorbs shock well on jumps. I was thinking of putting that on for now. I ordered a 2.5 hookworm but they are taking their time shipping it. I’m just struggling for now keeping it up with the extra weight, especially on turns but getting better. I seem to be rubbing my knees less at least. Yes, old but same size as your sons friend lol. Nice to know a 2.35 is OK. I think I will have to change when I get ready to do muni. I might need to change tubes too?