Posted by: cheapondirt
I'm considering stocking up a pile of the recently discontinued, still-on-a-couple-websites DHRII 26x2.8. Except one thing: I'm light and more cautious than aggressive, and these tires possess the only sidewall I've ever cut open.
In article comments, Andrew Major suggested the Dirt Wizard 26x3.0. It looks good, but it's also 380g heavier than the Minion+. Enough to second guess that idea (though I appreciated the suggestion). It's for the rear wheel of a mini mullet RM Altitude which I would like to keep playful.
Is that really all the big 26" tires?
I do know of the 2.6" Magic Mary but haven't really taken that thought seriously because it only comes in purple compound.
I think the 26x2.75 Dirt Wizards I've got use a crazy hard compound. Even at low-ish pressures (maybe 12-15psi? I forget) they are incredibly sketchy on wet rock at low speeds. The 2.75s have been discontinued (and I missed them going on sale for US$35ea, DAMNIT!) but the 3.0s are still available. I wouldn't be surprised if the 3.0 DWs are significantly larger than the 2.8 DHRIIs. Surly has a nice geometry chart for their tires, but strangely, it doesn't include the 26x3.0 even though it's right there in the filename. You can maybe at least check to see how much bigger the 2.75 DWs are than 2.8 DHRIIs.
https://surlybikes.com/uploads/downloads/_27719_SUR_Dirt_Wizard_26x3.0_Tire_Geo_VF_.pdf
I grabbed a pair of fast/light WTB Ranger 26x3.0s (which I think are actually closer to 2.8s) when they were discontinued and getting blown out for US$30ea. It looks like the 26x2.8s are now discontinued, but I'm not seeing great deals on remaining stock anywhere yet. I haven't actually mounted/ridden them (they're waiting in the wings for when my Dirt Wizards need replacement) They've got micro knobs compared to the DWs though.
I'm trying to imagine the rolling resistance of 2.6 Magic Marys with Super Gravity casing and purple people eater rubber. It might save you from ever having to buy brake pads again.
Looks like 26+ was a super-flash-in-the-pan. I was hoping the fat bikers would buy enough of them as an option to make their bikes "sportier" to keep them alive, but I guess they are more likely to run 27.5+ or 29 wheels/tires rather than swapping a plus tire onto their fat rims...