I went with the 26" jobs to keep my center of gravity low and to ensure that I wouldn't lose any ground clearance because of the size difference. I for sure didn't lose any clearance because the bearclaws are a pretty beefy tire, but really don't weigh that much. if you go with a huge tire, your COG will have to shift upward, maybe not that much, but some nonetheless.

I scare the crap outta myself on the hills that I climb now, let alone with an increase of COG.

 

A lot of folks seem to be concerned about C/G. If stock tires are 25" and weigh less than air, and you go to a 27" tire that weighs 30# or more, did your C/G go up or down? Since rear tires are heavier than front, How far does this move C/G to the rear? Could be interesting to see what everyone thinks.

For most, the idea of going taller is better traction and longer tire life due to a longer rolling radius. For others it's just because taller is more macho and looks cool.

Just something else to think about. You'll like the 27" Claws.

 

<< A lot of folks seem to be concerned about C/G. If stock tires are 25&quot; and weigh less than air, and you go to a 27&quot; tire that weighs 30# or more, did your C/G go up or down? Since rear tires are heavier than front, How far does this move C/G to the rear? Could be interesting to see what everyone thinks.

For most, the idea of going taller is better traction and longer tire life due to a longer rolling radius. For others it's just because taller is more macho and looks cool.

Just something else to think about. You'll like the 27&quot; Claws. >>



It depends on the actual height of the new tire compared to the old. If it raises the center of the wheel one inch further from the ground then you have raised the CG about 6%. However if the weight increases from 18 to 30 lbs then, 30-18=12X4=48/600=.08-.06=.02*100=2% decrease in CG
Hmmm, I really don't think its that simple. Probably depends a lot more on where in the original weight balance the additional weight is placed. Nyroc? You have an ME, bail me out!

 

the long term personal report on the ip blackwater is not good, I only got 6000km out of them. I'm thinkin dirt devil or 589 next , the runflats are good for the long haul... 16000km on them.

 

get spider tracs they are all around smooth riding cheap$$$ tires + they look cool on praries

 

c5greg - I went with the Bear Claws in the stock size. I asked the exact same questions as you are. I also try to avoid deep mud when possible. My reason for going with stock size Bear Claws is that I do a lot of fast riding and rat racing type riding on a mixed bag of terrain. I want the lowest center of gravity I could get for fast cornering and stability. I like a smooth ride and traction is important. I want to keep weight down as much as possible. I also need a tire that does well in snow. The Kenda Bear Claws are giving me all that. All my riding buddies are getting roost vests because of all the boulders I'm slinging with those things. I've got a couple of buddies that went with the oversize Bear Claws and they do just fine but they don't ride as aggressive usually. They are much more aggressive looking than the stock size. But it seems to me that the oversize tires have a lot more side wall to them and would tend to have more roll over in hard cornering?

All I can say is I love my stock size Bear Claws! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

i be running the ITP`s, 26` good all around tire.... definilty good in mud...

 

Are the 25&quot; Bear Claws smaller then stock?