I like 2.6" tires on bikes with suspension forks. Just enough extra margin of error in technical situations without a ton of extra weight or roll-over. I've been running a 2.6" Vigilante on an i35 and i40 rim for a while for the application and I agree it feels great.
With the rigid, again on the techy jank, the extra air volume and traction of the 2.8" makes a big difference - at least I notice it right away in back-to-back testing. That's both tires run as soft as I can with a CushCore insert while still being able to corner well. I played with it a bunch when I thought the 2.8" Vigi was dead - and knowing that the 3" SE4 is dead too - which meant finding the best 2.6" option going forward.
I'm truly hoping WTB keeps the 2.8" Vigi - even in one SKU / light + high grip - until enough rigid curious folks have a chance to experiment with what works for them. It's not that I didn't ride a rigid bike plenty of places pre-Vigi (I've consistently owned a rigid MTB going back to my 2001 Redline Monocog) but it's only once I switched the Vigi that I felt I could ride it anywhere - or anywhere I wanted to ride at least.
Please do let me know if you have a chance to try a 2.8" (or bigger) tire, whether it works great for you or not.
Dec. 28, 2021, 11:52 a.m. - Andrew Major
I like 2.6" tires on bikes with suspension forks. Just enough extra margin of error in technical situations without a ton of extra weight or roll-over. I've been running a 2.6" Vigilante on an i35 and i40 rim for a while for the application and I agree it feels great. With the rigid, again on the techy jank, the extra air volume and traction of the 2.8" makes a big difference - at least I notice it right away in back-to-back testing. That's both tires run as soft as I can with a CushCore insert while still being able to corner well. I played with it a bunch when I thought the 2.8" Vigi was dead - and knowing that the 3" SE4 is dead too - which meant finding the best 2.6" option going forward. I'm truly hoping WTB keeps the 2.8" Vigi - even in one SKU / light + high grip - until enough rigid curious folks have a chance to experiment with what works for them. It's not that I didn't ride a rigid bike plenty of places pre-Vigi (I've consistently owned a rigid MTB going back to my 2001 Redline Monocog) but it's only once I switched the Vigi that I felt I could ride it anywhere - or anywhere I wanted to ride at least. Please do let me know if you have a chance to try a 2.8" (or bigger) tire, whether it works great for you or not.