As a roadie and gravel rider I’ve not been on my mtb for at least 2 years, but have been roped into ten under the Ben in a month or so
Have dragged out the my lovely yeti ASRc from back of the garage where it has sat untouched and gathering dust, and I notice the front tyre (nobbby nic evo) looks a bit worse for wear, ie numerous cracks in rubber. On the rear is a racing Ralph in evo non snakeskin variety, which looks not bad for being 6 years old
So before I splash out on a new set of tyres (specifically a front one) what’s good for some xc bimbling. Another nobby nic or have things moved on since then?
Not been to ten under Ben for close to 8 years, but as I recall the course is fairly tame with nothing that will instantly rip apart a fairly lightweight set of tyres (specifically my current rear)
Ta
Just choose something from the Bontrager XR range. Probably the XR2 in this case.
Yep the two best cross country tyres I've used are
Bontrager XR2
Vittoria Barzo
both are great for cornering
I think my old XR2s are a 2.2 but they comes up fairly big, the Barzos are 2.25.
Will take a look
Ta
2.25 Barzo here also. Or Mezcal in 2.25 if you want to sacrifice some grip for speed. 😁
I'd get a Rocket Ron to replace the Nobby Nic.
Two things have changed IMO in XC tyres over the last few years.
They've got wider and have tougher side walls. This has resulted in them also getting heavier. But when ran with a modern wider rim actually roll better so are faster, even at lower pressures.
Loving the Barzos on my Superfly, bought some Mezcals for faster summer duties but almost don't see the point in swapping them.
Wicked Wills. As much grip as a Nobby Nic and as fast as a Ralph. They're like witchcraft.
Loving the Barzos on my Superfly, bought some Mezcals for faster summer duties but almost don’t see the point in swapping them.
Put on one the back when it dries, you will notice the difference. Barzo is a great from tire in anything but loose over dry, but seems to drag a little on the rear.
Racing Ralph on rear and Racing Ray on front. Brilliant xc tyres