High Roller 2 2.4 for both? Maybe DHR2 2.4 or DHF 2.5 if the mud isn’t too cloggy? Actually maybe Shorty 2.5 for both – definitely not Shorty 2.3 though
DHR2 is a better all rounder up front than a DHF as the braking is hugely superior but still remains one of the most consistent, predictable cornering tyres out there.
HR2 is a vast improvement over the original Highroller as well.
Not sure which trail centres you ride that a shorty would ever be the best choice.
Mugboo you might be lucky when you come up here,I was down Golfie last week and was running a Vigilante and DHR2 on the rear, unless its proper chucking it down, the ground holds grip really well,
Baron Project is more versatile than the Shorty – faster and better on rocks and roots. Wears better too, but not as good in all out slop as the Shorty.
What sort/where is your offpiste? For stuff like winter golfy, a modern mud tyre like the shorty is almost like cheating compared to a minion. But it’s no allrounder. I think the answer is most likely 2 tyres
Baron projekt is brilliant in most conditions. Only time I’ve ever had it feel sketchy is riding in dust but thankfully dusty conditions in the uk are rare. High roller 2 or Hans dampf rear to go with it.
I’m pretty impressed with my baron projekt , my magic Mary trail star was brilliant but I found it to be a bit fragile and got frustrated with it to the point that I didn’t want to have another Schawlbe .
Currently got a purgatory grid on the back as they were going cheap after the baron ate up most of my budget .
Conti showed off a 2.6 baron at eurobike which if it’s reasonable price I would love to stick on the front and move the other one on the back . Tredz have a 2.6 butcher on their site for £50
I get the impression the shorty is brilliant if you only ride natural off piste golfy sort of stuff but not great all round which is where I think the conti shines
I just rode a Minion DHF 3C at Laggan at the weekend’s Scottish Enduro race – cut trails and trail centre. It didn’t disappoint at all on loam and mud, but its excellent on the hardpack and rock.
Shorty not so good on the hard stuff, bit squirmy.
DHR2 and HR2 centre knobs are angled for drive and braking, DHF has better knob direction for a front tyre doing the steering.
Minon DHF 3C is closest to a “do-it-all” Maxxis front tyre I’ve ever used.
The you cant decide between a DHF and a Shorty…. A Magic Mary is the tyre to go for.. Almost as good in the slop as a Shorty but more stable than a shorty on trail centre stuff. On par with the DHF on trail centre stuff but miles better than a DHF in the natural stuff.
My dry/wet setup is MM Supergravity Verstar / Minion DHR2 3c
My mud setup is Michelin Wild Mud / Minion DHR 2 3c..
This covers me for all year round riding in the tweed valley.
My two penn’orth for what it’s worth. Mate of mine who is a far, far better rider than I’ll ever be swears by the Magic Mary’s upfront. He loved the first iteration, despite the tendency for bits to fall off, but says that the new ones have all the grip and low rolling resistance but are also far more sturdy. They’ll be my next purchase
Yep- the footprint helps (since at any time it’s more likely to have a bit not on a root) and the volume means I’m running it softer so it gloms onto things better. I was always pretty happy with the 2.3 tbh but the 2.5 is a beast.
Shorty a poor on roots, Baron great on roots, MM OK on roots:
Shorty great in Mud, Baron Good in Mud, MM OK in Mud:
Shorty poor on hardback/trail centre, Baron OK, MM good:
seems to be the consensus?
I really don’t know where “shorty poor on roots” comes from tbh, other than an old slow reazy cutdown wetscream I had (for about 3 rides til the rubber evaporated) I’ve never used anything that’s better on roots. Well, 4.8 minions at 4psi aside. Comparing like with like (ie 3C shorty with trailstar Mary) the shorty is ime a lot better