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@Alex_B
Just picking up on the comments about switching between 700c and 650b and also decent 650b tyres at 2"+ sizes.
I've been running Continental Race King and Cross King at 2.2" width all summer and they are surprisingly quick on the road, with good, predictable road manners and are really great off-road. I've just switched to 650b with Conti Cross King at 2.2" at both ends and they feel great. Loads of grip off-road, good cushioning and a good feel on the road as well.
I was using 700x40c WTB Nanos last year and kept bottoming out the rims, so switched to the Continental Cross King/Race King combo in 29" x 2.2". These were great, but the bike felt quite "large" on them, as they raised the bottom bracket quite a bit, so I was having trouble getting a foot down if I needed to bail in technical stuff. I suppose a dropper might have been the answer, but instead I built up a set of 650b x 2.2" wheels.
These measured up at almost exactly the same diameter as the Nanos, so restored the nippy feel of the big wheels, but with the added cushioning of the large volume tyres.
Going form 40c to 2.2" on the same sized wheel definitely made the steering a bit slower, so it all worked out really well.