26" or 29" Airstreaks

[akndrifter]

Re: 26" or 29" Airstreaks

#5

[N95051]

Re: 26" or 29" Airstreaks

Cool pics Drifter,

I think I am leaning towards the 26's since I don't plan on going any more off airport then your pictures show, but you never know.

How long have you had them on? I read on the super cub site some of the bushwheels don't last more than 4-5 seasons, but thats with a lot of hard use on them.

Thanks again for the info!

Bill

[akndrifter]

Re: 26" or 29" Airstreaks

Thank You. I've barely had mine on for a season. But the worst thing I've seen for bushwheels is leaving them on all winter. Afterward they had a lot of wx checking. I think if you take them off and store them when on skis they should last longer. I don't think mine will wear that fast, but I have yet to abuse mine.

[N95051]

Re: 26" or 29" Airstreaks

Have you experienced any performance changes (cruise, take off and climb) good or bad?

Bill

[akndrifter]

Re: 26" or 29" Airstreaks

Maybe a couple miles an hour, but not too noticeable. If you already have 24" wheels, you probably wont notice much.

[matsuthunder200]

Re: 26" or 29" Airstreaks

I have a set of 26' tires on mine and they work great. I can still see fairly well. I had a set of 30' airstreeks about 25 years ago they worked better for gravel bars with bigger rocks and tundra with pot holes. I did get them approved with a 337 but it was for that set of tires when i wore them out they would not approve another set. With the bigger tires i couldnt see hardly at all lots of s turns. I tried to get a set of 29' bushwheels approved a few years back and they wouldnt do it. The 26's are great and i think if im in a spot where i haft to have the 29's i prbably shouldn't be there.

[swoeric]

Re: 26" or 29" Airstreaks

I'm also looking to upgrade tire size. currently im on a set of 8.00 -6 goodyears. I just had a chance to fly a supercub with 31's and became sold on the ABW's. I am debating between the 26 - 29 aswell. I love the look of the bigger stuff and was really impressed with how much they soak up. I'm also trying to be a bit realistic with my 85 hp. what prop and motor combos are you guys running with your 26 and 29's? what is a normal cruise speed for you and RPM? Also have you upgraded brakes? My brakes are pretty old by visual inspection. I have about 75 hrs in the plane now and adjusted them twice. When they are adjusted they seem to easily hold and stop plane anytime i get on them. are the larger brakes really necessary?

[akndrifter]

Re: 26" or 29" Airstreaks

I'm running 26s on my 65hp tcart. I can cruise 80-90mph "indicated" depending on how hard I want to run it. I runa 74x38 prop.

[akndrifter]

Re: 26" or 29" Airstreaks

I have a set of 26' tires on mine and they work great. I can still see fairly well. I had a set of 30' airstreeks about 25 years ago they worked better for gravel bars with bigger rocks and tundra with pot holes. I did get them approved with a 337 but it was for that set of tires when i wore them out they would not approve another set. With the bigger tires i couldnt see hardly at all lots of s turns. I tried to get a set of 29' bushwheels approved a few years back and they wouldnt do it. The 26's are great and i think if im in a spot where i haft to have the 29's i prbably shouldn't be there.

Were you running a Scott 3200? Was just thinking that something like a Baby Bushwheel would take care of that problem.

[astjp2]

Re: 26" or 29" Airstreaks

Have you had your gear support welded in yet? The larger tires really put a side load on the gear. Cubs had to really beef thier gear when they upsized thier tires. Tim