Conti baron users, how big do your tyres come out at?
Ideally comparative to a 2.3 minion or 2.5 high roller.
I really like the feel of bulbous, big DH tyres, however not a fan of the weight on trail duties. I still want that plough through rock gardens and not worry about pinches or tears if i stray on to the wrong line. The walls strong on these?
Black chilli vs regular compound, i'd be more than happy with them if the reg compound was similar to a maxxis 60a.
Guys,
Does anyone know if you can tubless the folding 2.3 Baron?
and
If a 2.3 will fit the rear of a tracer 1?
Cheers Mike
I used the Black Chilli barons in the Alps this year as i had got fed up with destroying maxi's after a few days and then having to hope that we don't get rain. I'd say that the barons are not quite as big as the 2.5 high roller but are on par with the 2.4 xking. I was using them in a Cannondale RZ140 and they fit just fine in the rear and no issues with Fox 32's. I only had one high speed blow out in 10 days of riding and the tyres kept gripping the whole never giving me cause for concern. The wear rate on them is fantastic, they really don't look like they have been through the grief i gave them and will be used again and again. Due to the new prices of the maxi's they are not a million miles apart but after a week in the Alps the maxi's are good for nothing other than the bin. The Barons will keep me going for lots more big rides. the side walls are tough, quite like the 2.2 rubber queens UST and so you could possibly use them as UST though they didn't have a specific UST when I got mine. I used to rate double deffence nobby nicks but the barons are a better tyre for rugged use.
They get a thumbs up from me, I'll be fitting them again for Wales next month.
It's actually quite narrow for a 2.3; Looks narrower than the 2.2 rubber queen I have on the rear, it should fit the tracer.
I switched from Minion DHF 2.3 ST and so far the Baron black chilli has been better in the muddy conditions.
I tried to tubeless the RQ’s (non-ust version) without success, so I wouldn't hold out much hope. Conti said they're bringing the UST version in 2012.
I have one on the front, the casing is slightly smaller than the 2.2 Rubber Queen that I have on the back but the distance across the tread is similar - the Baron has deeper tread. I would say they size up similar to 2.35 Maxxis. I really like it, it digs in especially well on soft ground and the grip is consistent as you lean the bike over. I had a High Roller 2.35 on the front before which felt a bit skatey. I got the Black Chilli because I had read a few reports about the non-Chilli Continentals being a bit Teflon.
I run a Chilli one on the front. It is the same width knob-knob as the 2.2 RQ on the rear but the casing is narrower but still quite tall. Definitely bigger than a 2.35 minion but narrower than a 2.5 HR. They have quite a round profile on my DT Swiss 5.1d rim (28mm wide) compared to a 2.2 RQ on the same rim.
I have found that it needs something to bite on, probably because the knobbles are rather big. On smooth hardpack it feels a bit squirrely and vague through corners but on soft ground or loose stuff it is great. Very consitent bite at all angles of lean so far and works very well under braking. Really liking it for natural stuff but I imagine trail centres would be better suited to a less knobbly tyre.
Side walls seem tougher (Apex reinforcement or something I think?) than the rubber queen but I've not had any trouble with either in the UK. They seem to resist pinch flats well (based on me riding down steps with pressure somewhere around 15psi. I could see them deforming almost to the rim and I was waiting for the bang and crash...but it never came.) Certainly tougher than ADvantage or Crossmark sidewalls!
I personally wouldn't buy non-chilli contis for wet or slippy riding. And although they are pricey the chilli compound wears very well.
Where do you get the bloody things? I'd like to try them, can never find them in stock, or for reasonable money
Try here, 4 in stock!
And it depends on what you term reasonable money. I paid £45 for mine and think it is much better value than some tyres I've bought for £15. I can't see what the fuss is about expensive tyres, there is a lot of r&d, materials, etc in them and at the end of the day are one of the most important parts of your bike, being the only contact point between you and the ground. Unless you use rubbish tyres, in which case you get to use your face as well 
Thanks for the responces guy's
Another question to ponder over;
RQ's or Baron's for winter, as a do it all tyre?
At the moment i'm running MAxxis DHF 40a up front and an Advantage rear.
???
Baron's for winter, RQ's for summer
deanbfm - I have some 2.4in RQs I'm going to flog if you like it big and bulbous, email in profile.
Presumably the Queens and Barons that Halfords sell are the non Black Chilli compound hence why they're so cheap?
Be interested to hear how they compare gripwise to Minion 2.35 DHF supertacky's on the front, as I have leart to really trust these + don't want to loose leanability.
Why don't maxxis make a 2.35 super tacky folding Minion anymore?? Ace front tyre, a UST one would be perfect... Would a Barron do a similar job?
Why don't maxxis make a 2.35 super tacky folding Minion anymore??
Don't they? shit
Try here, 4 in stock!Baron 2.3 black chilli
And it depends on what you term reasonable money. I paid £45 for mine and think it is much better value than some tyres I've bought for £15. I can't see what the fuss is about expensive tyres, there is a lot of r&d, materials, etc in them and at the end of the day are one of the most important parts of your bike, being the only contact point between you and the ground. Unless you use rubbish tyres, in which case you get to use your face as well
No problem paying for decent tyres... but the Barons have been crazy money on a feww sites, and always seem to be out of stock on Wiggle. I'll nab a set now though
Not used the 2.3s but use the 2.5 BC for DH and the 2.2 RQ BC for trail riding, can't see myself going back to Maxxis now and I was a big fan of Minions and HRs.
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