🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <0arj02.R297F01@JUTS.ccc.amdahl.com>, msw10@nepenthe.as (Michael S.
Wong) says:
>
>May want to qualify this. They're several Smoke's, and while riders I know
>find
>that the 2.1 is excellent, others I've talked to claim the 1.9 Lite sucks.
>However,
>which ever Smoke you choose (1.9, 2.1, or 2.2), they all have approximately
>the
>same
>tread pattern.
>
>The More Extreme, on the other hand, comes in 3 entirely different tread
>patterns.
>The most  well known is the standard 1.95 wire bead version that's shown in
>the
>Specialized ads. However, Specialized also has a 1.95 Kevlar in soft Gray
>Compound
>that has an entirely different tread pattern (smaller, narrower 'shovels',
>more
>bidirectional and intermediate knobs). The 2.5 More Extreme looks closer to
>the
>Gray 1.95 than the standard 1.95, but is still significantly different (It's
>shown
>in the new features section of this month's MTB Action).

be careful on the names versus treads.  Specialized makes a Ground Control
Extreme, the More Extreme, and The Extreme.  The More extreme is currently
only available (to the general public) in the 1..95 version (standard
metal cord, black rubber).  Accorind to my Specialized Rep, there are plans
in the making for selling a kevlar cord, gray compound more extreme - with
something like 150 g in weight savings.

So your comparison of the Kevalr bead smoke to the standard more extreme
in terms of weight, isn't all that relevant.  I'll admit the More
Extremes are heavier comparing steel bead to a Kevlar beaded tire.

>and skinwall (there was a side puncture thread a while ago, but I've never had
>problems with skinwalls) vs. the well known 1.95 wire bead More Extreme       d
>feature

I've always hade sidewall puncture problems.  WIth Smokes, Ground control's
(and Extremes) and the More Extremes.  My only remedy has been to do all
of my training with a Ground Control Black Max on the front (where
most of my problems have been - I still use a More Extreme on the
rear).

As far as tire width, I would bet that if you put the two tires side
by side, you wouldn't notice the difference in width.  Granted, the extra
size in the 2.1 " smoke does provide some natural suspension, however.

But as a rear tire, I haven't found a tire that has better traction
over the widest range of conditions, that the More Extreme.

Have Fun!!.

Bryan