Looking for something reasonably high volume, that doesn’t weigh a ton, rolls fast and will perform as an all rounder, leaning more towards XC. Will be run tubeless.

Just taken off a Conti X King 2.2, ideally just want something not much slower, but bigger and more confidence inspiring.

Always liked by Spesh Purgatory as a good all rounder.

You need a vitoria Barzo 2.25.
Like a better and bigger version of an x king. Better in the loose, mud and hooks up well in corners. Still a proper xc tyre so rolls well.

I like the MK2 Protection 2.4 on the front of my scale 910.
Tubeless
A bit on the heavy side, but inspires a bit more confidence.

I like to think I’m still pretty quick on it.

Don’t know how it compares to X King, but i’ve been using a WTB Bronson race on the front for quite a while now and it’s very good. Reasonably light, pretty fast, grippy edges, high volume and tubeless ready (mine aren’t yet though). Don’t know if it’s XC enough for you but it does well in many conditions.

On-one Smorasbord. Good volume, not too heavy, and reliable all weather grip. Also pretty cheap.

mrmoosehead – I presume you mean the X King 2.4? They’re not too dear, even in black chilli from Wiggle…..

2nded on the Barzo they’re ace, or a Bonty XR3

Ardent

Interested in this myself – like the xking a lot – insanely fast, and grippier than you might expect from looking at them. But the 2.2 is a little lacking in volume for sure. The problem with replacing it is there’s not a whole lot out there that can even come close to an xking in terms of rolling speed. A Rocket Ron in 2.25 (snakeskin obviously) will be a little larger. An xking 2.4 maybe depending on how wide your rims are?

@Yak – barzo looks an interesting shout, although not seen any data on how vittoria mtb tyres roll

Always liked by Spesh Purgatory as a good all rounder.

That’s what I have – replaced an Ikon with it for winter, but have only switched the back tyre back to the Ikon – it’s nice to have a bit extra to lean on on a hardtail.

Hmmm, not sure if they’ve been through the rolling tests as per the other xc tyres. Might be a matter of time as they are newish. They ‘feel’ fast, but that is subjective. I took a punt on them as I like other vitorias such as saguaros, and I couldn’t get hold of a snakeskin Ron before 24:12. So went with a Barzo up front and a Ralph on the rear. Felt spot on imo.

Chunky Monkey, it’s what I use, so…..

barzo looks an interesting shout, although not seen any data on how vittoria mtb tyres roll

Round and round like the wheels on a bus 😆

Seriously, I don’t think they offer any more rolling resistance than something like a Rocket Ron, they are very similar indeed to an X-King. Certainly haven’t held me back at all and were more than fast enough for the Scott Marathons I’ve done and 9th place solo at Mayhem too.

I’m running an Arch EX rim, think they’d take the 2.4 X King OK, might be a bit rounded, but I could live with that.

Planning on riding the 29er a lot more and doing some bikepacking trips so the extra volume would be welcom for that. The barzo does look good, not easy to find though.

I run a 2.3″ Purgatory on the rear of my 26″ soul at the moment, it’s good for that, and the riding I do on it, but would prefer something faster, also find the control carcass a bit squirmy on the front, I’m over 14st and lacking finesse and used to end up with a lot of burping.

Depends where you live really, for me its rocky/rooty/muddy Scotland.

I run either a HR2 or Shorty, both 3C compound. Black chilli Barons are also reliable.

All tubeless.

Rocket Ron 2.25 Evo would be my choice.
Light ,rolls well,good cornering grip for a front tyre.
Snakeskin if your heavy on sidewalls though!
Thanks,
Max

^ wot he said

Bontrager XR2 (fast) or XR3 (not quite as fast but grip better) team issue in 2.3 are both great for what you want

core – Member
mrmoosehead – I presume you mean the X King 2.4? They’re not too dear, even in black chilli from Wiggle…..

Nah, The Mountain King II, in 2.4

Seems bombproof – got me through 4 days in the Sierra Nevada whilst everyone else was getting punctures on Rocket Rons

I recently swapped a 2.3 Race King for a 2.4 Mountain King on the front (kept Race King on rear) and it didn’t feel any slower at all on smooth sections and actually turns out faster on more technical/rougher stuff due to the extra grip and cornering speed.

MK2 2.4 rolls like a hog compared to the 2.2 XKing.

Hutchinson Squale 2.3 here, not tubeless but am running it tubeless on stans flow. Great tyre down here in Cotswolds slippery stone, then Mud, then hard pack dirt

Bontrager XR2 team issue 2.2

Hutchinson Toro 2.3
Check out the reviews on here.

fifeandy – Member
MK2 2.4 rolls like a hog compared to the 2.2 XKing.

Hehehe. Maybe I’d be super fast with x-kings on then.

TBH, I prefer the extra volume and grip. Might try the XKings I have if I can be arsed to change them over. Mind you, summer is almost over and we’ll be back to mud soup shortly…