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One tyre all year

95 posts & 74 voices | Started 2 years ago by dropoff | Latest reply from knottie8

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WhatwouldPoddyride?

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DickBarton - Member

Conti Vert Pros (but they are about to be replaced with some Conti Mountain Kings (Black Chilli) - so hopefully they will be just as good.

I tried a 2.2 Nobby Nic 2 nights ago and was mighty impressed with it, so that would also be a consideration for me.

I got High Rollers (folding 2.1's I think) on the Marin when I bought it and they were very sketchy - lasted 3 rides - great in the dry but the slightest bit of mud and I couldn't keep a line and cornering was very worrying (saying that I'm not claiming to be a great rider).

So personally, I've had real bad experiences with the High Rollers (admittedly only about 30 miles on them but enough to scare myself silly); Conti Vert Pros are very long in the tooth now but they seem to work well in all conditions, I'm hoping the Mountain Kings will be just as good (they look very similar) - I'm getting them at a silly low price so if they are junk, I won't be shy in saying so - seem to have mixed feelings to them on here but other review sites seem to suggest they are fine.

I'm just looking for a tyre that doesn't spin out when riding over any ground (apart from thick snow, ice and wet roots - I'm expecting all tyres to spin on those) - keep me going in mud until I physically can't go on; clear well once away from the mud and offer grip whilst cornering. I'm not overly bothered about tyre weight (although I'd steer clear of real heavy stuff as my legs would suffer!), so as long as the tyre ticks those boxes then I'll be happy with it...the idea of changing tyres for each ride seems a bit strange to me - I know loads of folk who do it, but it just seems a waste of 20 minutes on a weekly/daily basis to me.

If I had the cash to spare I think I'd be looking at some Nobby Nic's, but I tend to react badly to having to pay more than 20 quid for a tyre - not really sure why as a good tyre can make a huge difference to a ride.

Posted 2 years ago #
Solo - Member

Bontrager Mud X, for all year round.

Not impressed though with the "tubeless ready" claim. I've tried, they've been a PITA tubeless, but that aside, run them with tubes and its my all-round tyre.

S.

Posted 2 years ago #
owenfackrell - Member

I use Specalized 'The Captian' sworks 2bliss tyres tublessly all year round. The roll fast enough and also work well in mud and even snow.
I have the 2.2 on my FS and the 2.0 on the HT plus they only cost £22 each.

Posted 2 years ago #
foxyrider - Member

Well I used to be one tyre for all:

Started with Panaracer Fir XC Pro - low rolling res but crap on corners/tech
Then MK Protection 2.2 - poor wear and washed out on corners but fairly grippy.

Finally got some Maxxis minions/High rollers - too heavy for nornal days XC riding but great fro tech stuff.

Then got another wheel set and went for 2.1 Advantages and they seem a good combination of grip and mud clearance.

They will be my all round tyre unless very dry and then poss put my MK's on but I reckon they will stay there

Posted 2 years ago #
nickc - Member

Normally would have changed to Trailrakers but the NobbyNics have stayed on this year. Not noticed a massive reduction in grip. May change to Ralphs if the summer's nice

Posted 2 years ago #
freegan bikefascist - Member

coogan

High Rollers. Changing them every season seems nuts to me. Much like having a 'winter bike'.

I agree on both counts

I use HR on the rear and Nobby Nic up front, sized depending on the bike (2.1s on the weight weenie SS, 2.35/4 on the Evil) works for me year round. ofc I could get better mud performance out of a specific mud tyre but these are great allrounders aswell as superb tyres in their own right

as for "winter" bikes, ofc I have one, at least that's what I tell mrs Fascist it is. In reality it's just an excuse for another bike!

Posted 2 years ago #
sheppie_hill - Member

Nobby nics for me. 2.25 flavour. Tried many others and they just didn't seem as versatile.

Just put some of the new 2010 nobby nics on the new bike, cant wait to try those after the review they got.

Posted 2 years ago #
HoratioHufnagel - Member

kenda nevegal for me.

most tyres seem pretty similar to me though!

Posted 2 years ago #
oldgit - Member

Racing Ralphs
Seriously, they have pin like grip and are great on off cambers. They have been perfectly fine all winter in ice snow rain and axle deep mud.

On the other hand I doubt that I would have ran them all year when I was riding s/s.

Posted 2 years ago #
DezB - Member

Solo - Member
Bontrager Mud X, for all year round.

Not impressed though with the "tubeless ready" claim. I've tried, they've been a PITA tubeless

You haven't followed the instructions, have you..

I think Hutchinson Toros are a good all-rounder. Only used them in mud so far, so not entirely sure.

Posted 2 years ago #
Ti29er - Member

Mud tyres all year!
Nothing like resitance training, eh?
Swap out to a RR in the summer and feel the wind in your hair again.
My Bonty Mud X was a pig to fit (2.0 front) but the ACX (2.2 rear) was much easier. As soon as it drys out, RR go back on again.
Really don't see the issue changing tyres twice a year, we do the same with the clocks and the central heating.
Can't be a £ issue, so what is it?

Posted 2 years ago #
austen - Member

High Roller front, Ignitor-worn-almost-slick rear. Seem to work for most things most of the time, rear traction is for wimps...

Posted 2 years ago #
yunki - Member

ok... well I'm definately from the one pair of tyres, replace as they fall off school of thought...
I've just taken advantage of the on0one spesh offer on conti mountain kings 2.0
has anyone got anything to report about them..? (they arrive later today so they are going on anyway...)

Posted 2 years ago #
Scienceofficer - Member

I'm a 'wet season' and 'dry season changer'.

However, if I was forced to have one year round tyre, it would be something like a Bontrager Mud-X (My current winter tyre - they roll really well considering their mud performance, (but they do fall short in the thick sticky mud compared to say, Panaracer Trailrakers), or a Bontrager ACX which has a fairly open tread.

In reality, I prefer something a little faster in the summer, like a Maxxis ADvantage or a Kenda small block 8. I've yet to try anything from Schwalbe, but I do fancy trying some nobby nics or a racing ralph.

Posted 2 years ago #
Ti29er - Member

Nicks puncture too easily and they wear far too quickly, esp' up by the contact patch with the rim.
2 yrs with several of them and I've moved away as there are better tyres with far greater longevity at a similar price point or better.
I'm very impressed with Bonty tyres of late.

Posted 2 years ago #
MrSalmon - Member

Fire XC Pro 2.1s all year round for me.
It's not so much that I can't be bothered to swap tyres over (although I can't really!) as that I don't really want to get into trying to see what's better when I think the enormous range of factors makes it very hard to tell if you've wasted your money or not.

Posted 2 years ago #
flyingfox - Member

Nobby Nic 2.1s. Amazing. Fast but grip. No mud tyre but good enough and predictable. This question will never have one answer though - everyone has their own opinion, which is why my bike is also different from yours!

Posted 2 years ago #
souldrummer - Member

Nevegal and Blue Groove @ 2.35 on the Alpine and 2.25 Cinders on the Soul has always worked for me. My riding ability is rubbish enough without having to factor in changing tyres for every type of terrain!

Posted 2 years ago #
jimster - Member

I'm of the fit and forget mentallity - WTB Veloceraptor's atm, mainly because I can't afford 2 or 3 different sets of tyres and the hassle aspect of changing them whenever I want to ride on the limited time I get.

Posted 2 years ago #
repatriot - Member

Really like rubber queens, fast rolling and big volume. Recently tried Advantage 2.4 and really impressed with these too, both great tyres.
Just bought myself some Swampthings 2.3 SP for riding in really sloppy condition as the snow melts etc. Grip is incredible but like riding with chains on on the road.

Posted 2 years ago #
JtotheP68 - Member

Hutchinson Pythons virtually all year round, occasionally use Trailrakers if its really muddy and I can be bothered changing them. I don't think tyres make that much difference unless its really muddy. Its just kit obsession on the part of a lot of riders, plus its an easy excuse blaming tyres when really most of it is down to skill.

Posted 2 years ago #
Ti29er - Member

MrS.
Isn't this a rather odd burry-head-in-sand approach to bike kit?
The XC Pro is a sound general purpose tyre, but boy, are they draggy! YOu can even them them dragging.

Jim: The idea that you can afford to run a bike, riding kit, feeding, hydration, spares, servicing, any upgrades, replacement pads, lubrication, tools, accessories, replacement moving parts, esp' rear cassette, front ring(s), chains and all that jazz - but not own 2x sets of tyres is utter nonsence. FFS OnOne are selling theirs for a tenner.

Posted 2 years ago #
xcstu - Member

Same camp as oldgit - Racing Ralph on both bikes all year... been surprised how well they have coped just started trying a rocket ron on the front...

I do like to change tyres mind for racing.. Between panaracer razors, nobby nics, trailrakers and above depending on conditions!

Posted 2 years ago #
ChristoGinger - Member

Dickbarton,

2.1 highrollers are different kettle of fish from the 2.35's to be honest. don't know hwy but the 2.1s are a bit sketchy, the 2.35's are grippy tastic, except in muddy mud - but swamp things are good for that;)

Chris

Posted 2 years ago #
oldgit - Member

I was thinking of trying Rocket Rons next.

Posted 2 years ago #
Ti29er - Member

Someone else mention Conti verticals.
Absolutely amazing in the snow - nothing comes close.
Completely Unpredictable in the mud at speed - when others were just fine - it's the day you find this out by almost ending in the barbed wire, at speed, more than once that scared me!
+ THE most draggy tyre I've ever tried.
Trailrakers for really horrible mud - it's amazing what they can deal with.

Posted 2 years ago #
xcstu - Member

Oldgit - Been quite impressed with the rocket ron..

come up a bit narrow but with the weather being so crap I have only been able to try them out in mud/wet at the moment...

Posted 2 years ago #
KT1973 - Member

Hutcheson Python 2.0 is the fastest dry weather xc tyre I've used but I've gone face first on slippery wood/roots on numerous occasions with this- and that's an instant loss of grip with no warning.
Using Racing Ralphs at the moment, but haven't/wouldn't take them through heavy mud. I expected these (RRs) to be faster than they are though.
Kenda Blue Groove are good offroad but hoover you onto tarmac. I went out with a friend who I'm usually faster than and couldn't get near him with these on (on the road). I actually had to stop and get off and check what the problem was- I though I had a flat.

Posted 2 years ago #
TooTall - Member

Bonty ACX all year round on my Scandal. Never had a problem with them, never felt the need to get all 'Ti29er' on tyres - thats just strange.

If you are pressing down on your tyres with 250lbs, they will find grip

Posted 2 years ago #
mttm - Member

Advantage 2.25" - the thinking man's Highroller 2.35

Posted 2 years ago #
isibson - Member

Currently Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1s on my full suss, and Panaracer Trailraker 2.1 on my singlespeed (since it's intended to ride in mud, snow, muck etc where I can't be bothered cleaning/maintaining drivetrain, rear shock, etc). When the Fires wear out I'll probably go to Rampage 2.35s on that bike.

Posted 2 years ago #
Ti29er - Member

The ACX is an absolutely excellent tyre (I think they have stopped making them BTW). But too slow in the dry summer months when you're entering the likes of Bonty, Clic, SITS, Mayhem, Kielder, Meridas, etc - and all points in between.

Posted 2 years ago #
MrSalmon - Member

Isn't this a rather odd burry-head-in-sand approach to bike kit?
The XC Pro is a sound general purpose tyre, but boy, are they draggy! YOu can even them them dragging.

What I meant was that if I get some, say, new forks I can tell reasonably objectively if they're an improvement or not, but with tyres they might actually be great but seem crap over a first couple of rides in one place in one set of conditions...

Actually I don't even know what I meant now. I was just making excuses for my tyre-changing laziness I think.

Posted 2 years ago #
10pmix - Member

I have 2 or 3 sets per bike and 4 bikes. What have I become? The space they take up in the shed is no laughing matter either..

Some from my collection....

HRs 2.1s have no grip in the mud but are ace on hard summer trails. HRs 2.35 are too slow in the mud.

WTB Timberwolfs 2.3 grip in the mud like no tyre I have ever come across (even Trailrakers) and roll well too.

Bontrager Mud X 2.1 are great pretty much all year as are Maxxis Advantage 2.1. Panaracer Cinders also are a good all year choice.

Nevegal Tomac Stick-Es were the worse tyres I ever had - no grip in the bends and wore out in a few months (ooh...controversial)

Posted 2 years ago #
Scienceofficer - Member

I found I couldn't even get a dry season out of a Nevegal. Still, I suppose I get a semi-slick for the supper dry bits of the year.

Posted 2 years ago #