ideally for the front of the bike as keep slipping about last night in the mud.

Thank you.

beaver

I’m not sure you can still get the 2.25 version of the beaver (and the 2.0 is very narrow). Be happy to be proven wrong though.

For the front I’d go for a maxxis shorty or the Spesh hillbilly (grid)

running the 2.35 shorty up front and its like cheating.

its also like pushing a flat tyre on the flat but well worth it.

Beaver not chunky enough for front use IME, I use Shorty on fronts but as mentioned above that Specialized Hillbilly looks great too.

Ive used both the Continental der Baron Projekt 2.3 and Maxxis Shorty 2.5 on 29ers. Both really good, Conti better on roots, Shorty better in all out slop I’d say.

Hillbilly looks like a Shorty……

Just fitted a pair of Conti Mud King 1.8s – was weary of the width initially but they came highly recommended, and although they can do virtually nothing about the ice-like chalk on SDW, their mud gripping capabilities proved to be the best I’ve ever experienced.
Very light too.

What type of riding? For pure Mud XC stuff, either Spesh Storm or Bonty Mud X, as for more knarly radness, I haven’t a clue what the kool kids are shredding on

Try a Dirty Dan if your more xc.
Skinny but surprisingly a lot of grip with the Addix Speedgrip compound.
Using these on a rigid 29er at the moment with good results!
Max

Interesting first reply to op.
I also was going to and will suggest a Beaver, they are more predictable in the dirt.
Even though my old set were 26”, I’d seriously be considering a set either them or Panaracer Trailrakers if they come in 29” version(?)

I haven’t been able to find 29×2.2 beavers for a while

I’ve got a pair of spesh storms (s works) i could sell you if you’re interested. Light use 35 for the pair.

I’m mighty impressed with Maxxis forekaster. 29 x 2.35. A bit floaty on deep mud but brilliant all round winter tyre. Other than that beaver 2.0.

Magic Mary in the soft Addix compound — best I have used so far and god know I have tried a few

Bontrager XR Mud 2.0 are my choice and I’m using them on my hard tail 29er. They’re relatively cheap at £26 an end.
Always switch my 26″ full suss to the Mud X pros with the same tread pattern at this time of year. They were cheap too but I’ve had them for about 6 years maybe more.

Specialised Storn Control – faster than the Bonty, easier tubeless than a Beaver.

I want to try a narrower Forekaster.

It’s a maxxis, it is narrow. 😉

…and 720g 😯

Think I’ll stick with the Storms…

WTB Vigilante on the front of my 29er in the winter 8)

Specialized Butcher front and Maxxis Beaver rear for the win in winter.

2.3 forekaster comes up as a 2.3, didn’t get on with the one on the front of my xc bike, felt floaty on anything muddy. Replaced with a 2.1 ground control, much more predictable and grippy.

I’ll second the hillbilly. Faster than I expected (but certainly not that fast). Brilliant winter tyre

It really depends on what you want- I’d go for a 2.5 shorty, but that’s monstrous, not the right pick for an XC bike. Whereas an XC mud like a Storm is wrong for me.

For proper, XC bike mud plugging, the Specialized Storm are great. Quite narrow but cheap-ish, and go up tubeless very well.

Non Addix Magic Mary 2.35 on the front. A beast of a tyre for most conditions. Better in the mud than a DHF. Rear I like the DHR II as a tyre for all seasons. It’s not brilliant in the mud but it’s not bad by any means. And sliding is half the fun 🙂

Problem I have with my Smuggler is even tho it’s a 2017 it still doesn’t have huge clearance out back. I’d really like a 2.2. Failing that, I’m going to try a Hillbilly.

How do we feel about a narrow front, wide rear combination?
I miss my Bonty mud front but like my nobby nic for climbing traction.

Shirley that would be unnecessary drag?

Cheers everyone for your recommendations. I’ll take a look and see what I can get 😀

Yes am XC riding