Like the sound of a big(ish) fast tyre for the front, has anybody seen Maxxis Ardent Race 29x2.35 in stock anywhere?
According to the Maxxis website they don't do a 29 x 2.35 A Race: http://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-465-121-ardent-race
The 2.4 is a good tyre in 29 flavour though. I assume the difference between that and the Race model, if they made it, would be a lighter carcass.
Schwalbe Racing Ralph in 2.35 is probably where you want to be for light weight and fast in a high volume tyre.
How does a Racing Ralph compare on weight?
29*2.40 not brought into the uk by the new distributors just 29*2.2
http://www.extrauk.co.uk/product/search/0/?q=ardent
PLenty of regular ardent 29x2.4s here though http://nextdaytyres.co.uk/details.aspx/MAXXIS-ARDENT-MTB-29/100
Not lightweight though; racing ralph is meant to be 705g in 2.35 to the 2.4 ardent's 750 or so.
The Ardent in 2.4 flavour is a pretty toothy tyre, more so than the 2.25 variant and not as quick as the Ardent Race. Actually the 2.4 Ardent's a pretty good front tyre, but compared to the 2.25 tread depth, it's a more aggressive tyre.
I've run a 2.2 Ardent Race as a front tyre and it wasn't particularly reassuring in anything other than bone dry conditions, better out back. You might want to look at the 2.35 Ikon as an alternative option up front, dead quick and grippier than you'd think, more tooth again than the 2.2 version, particularly at the sides. I think it's pretty close to what you're describing though the sidewalls aren't uber tough if that matters to you, even in EXO.
Odd that Maxxis.co.uk have different sizes listed to Extrauk. Perhaps 29x2.35 aren't coming here, which is a shame. Extrauk do list an Ikon in 29x2.35. I wanted to try Ardent Race front / Ikon rear.
Also considering a 29x2.4 Continental X-King. Anyone tried that?
Got an Ardent Race on ebay last week and put it on the back. Definitely faster than a regular Ardent and held up fairly well on slippy Friston trails.
It slid but not in a wipe out way and imagine it will be great on dry stuff. Paired with a Chronicle up front.
I was looking for these but couldn't find them for sale at any of the usual outlets so by chance I contacted Maxxis UK directly who had tons in stock. Had to pay full RRP though.
Hmmm. They didn't say that when I got in touch, so maybe they've got some in.