I’ve tended to stick with Schwalbe tyres simply because I understand all the different options (tread patterns, rubber compound etc), but I need a new set of tyres for my 26″ Five, so maybe it’s time to try a different brand.

My current setup is:

Rear: 2.25″ Nobby Nic Evo Snakeskin Pacestar
Front: 2.35″ Hans Dampf Evo Snakeskin Trailstar

I’d prefer to go lighter rather than heavier as I enjoy climbing, but like the grip of the current setup. I know, moon on a stick, but what would you recommend?

I switched from NN to Specialised Ground Control this season and was very pleased. Can recommend.

High Roller 2 front, Ardent rear if you like Maxxis.

Trail King front, x-King rear for Continental.

…so many to choose from to fair.

On-One Chunky Monkey up front with Smorgasbord rear if on a budget?

I’d personally suggest you have your current tyres the wrong way round, I’d want the Nic up front and the Dampf out back for max grip up front and a better rolling tyre on the back.

On the ragley, to do the job that a HD/NN combo would do I’m using a Highroller 2 2.4 and a Captain Control 2.2. The Captain’s not quite got the grip of the Nic but it’s not drastically off, and a lot faster. The HR2 is kind of not quite doing the same job as the HD but it does it better so they overlap (Minion would be the direct equivalent but again, does the job so much better that it’s almost not doing the same job any more)

2 highrollers? Dunno how well the hr2 stands up on the rear, it feels a bit like it might wear too fast

Thanks.

So, for Maxxis would I be right in thinking that 3C is similar to trailstar compound (more grip) and 60a to pacestar (better wear) ? HR2 is sort of like nobby nic (all rounder, can use front or rear). Minion a bit like a HD. Shorty is more like a Magic Mary (wet/mud).

So I could go HR2 60a on the back and 3C on the front or a Minion 3C on the front.

Exo is similar to Snakeskin, right?

Am I on the right track?

I’ve been switching from a HR2 3C and NN Pacestar (2015) over the summer on the front. The NN rolls much faster, and is noticeably lighter. HR2 is an excellent allrounder as you say, but maybe the NN seems to work a bit better in sticky mud. I’d say the HR2 bit better for wet roots and loose dust though.

I’d personally suggest you have your current tyres the wrong way round, I’d want the Nic up front and the Dampf out back for max grip up front and a better rolling tyre on the back.

Eh?
Dampf grip better, especially when cornering, and Nics are faster rolling
I’d say Nic rear is the correct way round

Each to their own, I like the more aggressively treaded, mud shedding tyre on the front, the 2015 Nic looks more like the new breed of Moto style tyres around at the moment whereas the Dampf is far too ‘cluttered’ for my liking, looks like you’d ride through some mud and regret it for the rest of the ride.

I have one of the new 2015 Nics and it’s a great front, I’d always put something faster rolling on the back though….Rock Razor, Hans Dampf etc….

Hans Dampf are awful, should have been strangled at birth. Currently in my second (brief!) spell of being forced to run one on the back this summer. It’s coming off tomorrow.

No grip! None. None at all. Do they make them from teflon?

Running one on the front is a terrifying thought.

What compound is that ?

Currently running Hutchinson Toro front and the new Python 2 on the rear. Light and grippy plus great price from Acycles

Schwalbe tires are on Sport Pursuit at the mo…