New tire sizes
Since the creation of the mountain bike, its evolution has continued to progress inexorably. Thanks to innovation, creativity and the use of the latest technology, we now have bicycles that appear almost perfect. Actually, one might think that this should be the end result. But far from it, the resourceful inventors leave no stone unturned to make cycling even more perfect. New standards and norms are almost overwhelming the market, and not losing track is a feat in itself. A lot has happened in the last few years, particularly in the area of tires. As soon as the 650b or 27.5" became established, the next wave of fat bikes rolled over the mountain bikers! Even the fat bike's harshest critics had to admit that the large-volume tires have some advantages. Advantages that the latest generation of tires benefit from: We are talking about the so-called Plus tires, i.e. 26+, 27.5+ and 29+. But what exactly is behind it and what advantages or disadvantages do these new tire sizes bring to mountain bikers?
Plus tires: squaring the circle?
However, this little plus sign causes a lot of confusion for many bikers. Basically, the + actually only stands for thick tires from 2.8 inches. Big tires? There was something there! That's right, over 10 years ago there was the Nokian Gazzaloddi, the forerunner of the current Plus generation. Although the Gazzaloddi caused quite a stir at the time due to its incredibly good rolling behavior on rough stone and root passages, the big sled didn't really manage to make a breakthrough. However, the history of the large-volume tire goes back much, much further - more precisely, to the beginnings of the mountain bike. Back then, the mountain bike pioneers around Gary Fisher & Co. were on the road with their clunker bikes and balloon tires. Seen this way, the Plus generation takes up a well-known topic and further developed the tires! One reason why thick tires like the Gazzaloddi couldn't gain acceptance back then was the immensely high rolling resistance. The largely forgotten large-volume tires made a comeback with the fat bikes - and what a comeback!
Big slippers? What's the point of this for me?
But time goes on, the trails become harder and more demanding. More and more bikers want to get more out of themselves and their bike. The new plus tires address exactly these points: expanding the range of use of the bike, raising personal limits and riding trails that are actually considered unrideable. Why not dare to tour the desert, take a hot ride on the volcano or discover the beauty of snowy landscapes? This is undoubtedly where the fat bike approach comes into play. The voluminous tires offer perfect grip on any loose surface and mud and provide the rider with the highest level of riding comfort. But even with these tires nothing works without a certain amount of compromise! Not all bikers like the sluggish and spongy ride. The plus tires are the ingenious solution here! The tires offer low rolling resistance, the weight is also within the green range and the tires can also be driven with little air. This in turn means that traction and driving comfort increase compared to conventional tires.
Now it's getting tight! There has to be space!
The basic requirement for installing a plus tire is of course that the frame has sufficient tire clearance. With the new generation of tires, you should keep in mind that the tires are not only wider, but also taller! In plain language this means that a 26+ tire could also be combined with a 27.5" frame and a 27.5+ tire with a 29" frame. However, the chain line should not be lost sight of. Here some frames could thwart their owner's plans. But help is in sight: the new rear axle standard Boost 148 allows the chain line to move further outwards.
Short-lived fad or trend with a future?
Trends don't always prevail. However, it can be assumed that the plus tires will be able to hold their own on the market. The most important approach here is that the plus tires will not or should not replace the existing tire sizes, but rather expand them. Every biker can therefore experiment with tire sizes according to their requirements and needs and determine the optimum for themselves. Because many plus tires can often be used with the existing material, acceptance is already very high. Of course, it remains to be seen to what extent manufacturers will take the changing requirements for frames and forks into account. Above all, the 26 inch mountain bikes could get a lot of momentum again and compete with the 27.5 inch bikes. For many bikers, 26+ could also mean the better 27.5: the same outside diameter and better damping for the same weight. The more stable wheels are another plus point, especially in Gravity.
Conclusion
Plus tires are certainly not squaring the circle, but they do greatly expand the scope of individual mountain bikers. Since the tires can already be used in many existing bikes, there is hardly anything standing in the way of having fun with the little plus sign!
