MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
wondering how the current tyre offering shapes up for winter muddy use ? I last looked at this option a year or so back and concluded that a Tarn 20 style setup wasn't a viable replacement for my Soul 26 with Purgs, for winter dirty rides.
Seeing some of the recent activity, and deals on the Tarn's has got me thinking...
Would be very much winter bike, west of Scotland natural stuff, plus some bikepacking etc in the summer. Have an Anthem for bigger stuff and trail centres.
Thoughts ?
I ran a Cotic Solaris as a plus bike for about a year. The WTB Trailblazers were fast but couldn't cope with the (East Scotland) winter. The Nobby Nic (2.8) coped fine with our east coast sandy/peaty mud (plus some snow) though.
I have a Marin Pine Mountain with 3" NN which worked fine in the slop on Monday's night ride. Still experimenting with pressures so I think there's probably a bit more grip to come too 🙂
Roll pretty well too
Would be very much winter bike, west of Scotland natural stuff, plus some bikepacking etc in the summer.
Realistically, how often do you bikepack? Lots? then worth a consideration. If not, then 'normal' tyres are better for WOS riding IMHO.
I did get a wee bit scunnered with the fickleness of tyre pressures tbh, others don't mind.
With Maxxis DHR/DHR2/High Roller 2 now available in 2.8 there's not a problem. I rode Rekons all last winter and they worked fine in all conditions but will be swapping to a DHF up front when i need a new tyre.
Go back 10 years and everyone was saying that 29er were rubbish in mud. We're been told the same about B plus for pretty much the same reasons, which is the first wave of tyres are always fast rolling dry weather tyres to suit America. Now we're getting the second wave of tyres it's not an issue.
yeah, not that much TBH. I suspect that my old school 26 on 2.3 purgs would remain a better option for manky Mugdock...Realistically, how often do you bikepack? Lots? then worth a consideration. If not, then 'normal' tyres are better for WOS riding IMHO.
i intend to stick 29er wheels on my 27.5+ bike for winter tbh
Same here.
Though the Schwalbe Magic Mary in 2.8in is gonna be on sale soon...
yeah, not that much TBH. I suspect that my old school 26 on 2.3 purgs would remain a better option for manky Mugdock...
So many better tyres than purgs for that!
^^^ 🙂
I've got Nobby Nics too, on the other bike, just to add to your cringe 🙂
They're great tyres.
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In 2.8
NN 3.0
I'm using Surly Dirt Wizard 3.0 both ends on my bike now. NN's were really very good, but the DW is miles better if there's any moisture at all.
Tread pattern is great, and the softer compound means they deal with wet roots and rock much more confidently than NN.
They roll surprisingly well.
I've currently got Minion DHF/DHR2 2.8s on my Hightower and the 29er Shorty/DHR2 combo was indoubtedly better in mud, but the pluses are better than I expected. When it's really gloopy they tend to slide over the top of gloop rather than bite through it.
Another vote for NN 3.0 very good through peak district winter slop!
Going out on wtb rangers shortly. Wish me luck.
Dhf/dhr are on order.
Turns out I didn't save any money on tyres. 😐 😆
Just swapped out the front WTB Ranger that came as stock on my new Tarn20, for a 3" Nobby Nic. Superb so far for sloppy Pennine grinding paste. The Tarn's 'effing ace too!
Early days so far on 2.8" NNs but so far so good and believe a psi lower both ends would improve things no end.