I was wondering what are the pros and cons of 24" wheels for Muni.
Do most of the really good Muni-ists go for 24 or 26" wheels.
RE: 24/26" Muni
> I was wondering what are the pros and cons of 24" wheels for Muni.
> Do most of the really good Muni-ists go for 24 or 26" wheels.
Bigger is better, within limits. The size of 24", when used for MUni, can
mean multiple things. A regular 24" tire is about 24" in diameter. This is
smaller and slower than optimum, though it works fine if it’s all you have.
The big fat downhill tires, namely the 3" x 24" Gazz, are actually very
close to 26" in diameter. So this tire should be considered along with
“regular” 26" wheels.
There is also a 3" x 26" Gazzaloddi. It’s closer to 28" in diameter. It
should be fine for taller riders as well. I think the reason the 24" Gazz is
so popular is that it fits more frames, and is not as heavy as the 26".
Any sturdy wheel with Gazz tire is going to be heavy. the 26" is just that
much heavier. I’ve ridden both, and I think I agree with guys like Kris Holm
and many others that the 24" Gazz is a nice compromise between size, weight,
maneuverability, and ability to fit in frames.
What am I missing?
JF
I’m going to stick to comparing the 24x3 and 26x3 Gazz tires cause those are the two tires I have the most experience with. I have a Vortex with a 26x3 Gazz and a KH with a 24x3 Gazz. I just got the KH muni this season and I’m still getting used to it. I got the Vortex about 2 years ago. I have put enough time on both that I can offer a little comparison. I have not ridden with the 2.6" Gazz Jr. tires so I’ll leave those out. One of these days I’m going to have to put some mileage on a Gazz Jr so I can find out how they behave.
Pros and cons of 24x3 and 26x3 Gazz wheels.
24x3 Gazz Pros
- More maneuverable
- Lighter by over a pound
- Easier to pedal than the 26x3
- Easier to jump with than the 26x3
- Easier to do drops with
- Better for technical trails
- Steep downhills are easier to control (it’s easier to slow down).
26x3 Gazz Pros
- Better traction than the 24x3 especially on sidehills. I think this is mostly due to the different tread pattern on the 26x3. The 26x3 has a tread pattern more similar to a front tire and the 24x3 has a tread pattern more similar to a rear tire.
- Faster
- Rolls over obstacles like roots and rocks better
- Pedals are higher off the ground so there are fewer pedal strikes where the pedal hits rocks, roots, or the side of a hill as you ride.
- Better for sidehilling due to better sidehill traction and fewer pedal strikes.
- A good tire for aggressive trail rides
26x3 Gazz Cons
- Heavy
- Not as maneuverable. Navigating tight switchback turns can be a challenge especially if there is a cliff or a steep drop waiting for you if you don’t time the turn right or make the turn sharp enough. I think the difference in maneuverability is mostly due to the different tread pattern used on the 24x3 and 26x3. The 26x3 does not like doing scuff style action reaction turns while the 24x3 will react more to the action reaction type of turn.
24x3 Gazz Cons
- Not as fast
- Doesn’t roll over roots and rocks as well
- I’m finding riding skinny logs to be more difficult on the 24x3 than the 26x3. This may be just because I’m more used to the 26x3.
I’m still more comfortable doing long climbs using the 26x3. I need more practice climbing with the 24x3 to get my body used to the rhythm of climbing with the smaller wheel.
There are some technical uphill sections that I can do better on the 26x3 because the 26x3 will roll over rocks and roots better. On the 24x3 I will loose traction trying to make it over some of the rocks and roots which forces me to hop over those obstacles instead of roll over them.
Because of the difference in maneuverability the 26x3 loves to continue rolling in the same direction it is pointing. You just point it where you want to go and pedal. The 24x3 is more twitchy meaning that you have to pay attention to course corrections to keep it on track.
There are some other 26x3 and 24x3 tires available. These comments are only about the Gazz tires. Other tires may have very different characteristics.
If I had only one muni I would want the 24x3 Gazz. But since I have two I get to enjoy both the 24x3 and the 26x3.