Despite @Erik Timmerman's compelling testimonial I ended up with Rekon 3C EXO+ 2.6 front and Rekon 3C EXO 2.4 "WT" rear. (I ran into some kind of practical or mental roadblock with the Michelins, but can't remember the details now.) I got the "WT" only because that was the only 29 x 2.4 I could find with the 3C compound Josh was advocating.
.It's taken me a long while to learn that I have have to run these tires at REALLY low pressure - especially the front. I presume that's because of the higher volume. I'm at something like 10psi and 14psi. They just feel harsh and bouncy otherwise.
Yes, the bigger the tire, the lower the pressure needed in a pressured ‘vessel’ for the same feel. So 10% bigger tire=10% lower pressure. The other factor is casing stiffness. Stiffer casings ride harsher at the same pressure than more supple ones. Exo+ has an extra reenforcing layer of fabric compared to Exo, and there might also be a difference in the amount of rubber in the casing.
QUOTE="Tony S, post: 490535, member: 215"]
Cutting to the chase, they're plenty grippy but
feel heavy and slow compared to the 2.4 Ardents y'all love to hate, and some other tires I've had on there, such as the Conti XKing 2.4.[/QUOTE]
X-King is pretty fast, depending on casing. I love using a faster lolling tire in the rear, and grippier one up front.
Remember, what
feels fast is usually
slow. Humans are good at detecting frequency changes but lack a built in speed sensor.
If you ride the same set up over a rumble strip, the faster you go, the higher the frequency. This is probably how we come to that feeling.
The rule of thumb is that if it
feels smooth, it
is fast.*
As far as rear tires, I would pick something with better rolling resistance rubber compound than Maxxis. Nobby Nic Speedgrip would seem decent for rooty, rocky terrain if you can deal with thin casing and lack of grip in wet conditions.
*From Josh Poertner at Silca