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There was a long series of threads about the Barzo and other similar tyres on the strength of which I bought a 29er Barzo for the front of my HT.
However I just can't get on with it. Doesn't like to steer and it doesn't like to brake. I have played with pressure with some improvement but need something better. 2.25 -2.40 To go on 25mm rims for general trail riding with a bit of Tarmac, not heavy duty park use.suggestions please.
I recently swapped to a maxxis reckon from a barzo...
Despite it not looking like it should it rolls better than the barzo and has way more cornering grip
Sadly, tests don't agree on the rolling resistance point, but reckons have decent side knobs so will hook up if you lean lots.
29*2.35? What psi were you running? They're quite a round tyre so you'll lose braking grip if you run them much above 25psi, but designed as an xc race tyre. Sort of ideal marathon tyre in the tnt casing. If you're light maybe try the xc casing?
Closest thing you could go to would be a racing ray?
A reckon is a faster rolling rear tyre, odd comparison.
Got mine in max terra in 2.6 on the front of the rigid. Ran both at 14 psi for comfort.
I felt a noticeable difference in rolling resistance. So it passed my test...
My Barzo is 2.25 and I have been running it around 25psi so perhaps needs to be even lower to grip effectively
Barzo’s 2.35 here run 18-20 psi max, I find them great tyres
I really like mine in the better 3 seasons. But it’s awful in the winter - after a few wipes outs over Christmas due to lack of steering I’ve swapped them out. I’ll put them back on in better weather though.
They are an XC tyre and work really well for me on the South Downs and QE all year. Barzo front Mezcal rear. Fast. Don't expect it to be a Magic Mary though. Horses for courses.
@FOG what did you run before it?
I played about with tyre somewhat last year as I felt the 2.5" WT DHF (on 30mm rims) was too much for a hard tail destined for XC / forest type riding. It was what I had during a time of silly bike and build messing about.
Swapped it for a 2.2 Racing Ralph (on 23mm rims) and the bike then flew everywhere but was decidedly sketchy if it was damp like typical autumn to spring UK weather. The DHF in these conditions was great and very confidence inspiring.
Tried 2.35 Peyote tyres front and back which gave slightly more grip than the Ralph but still way down on the DHF for ultimate grip.
If I was making the bike again, I'd use the Peyote tyres for speed and sacrifice some grip.
However it ended up being a rigid 27.5+ tyred bike, which despite the heavier wheels is much faster anywhere other than downhill sections.
I run a 2.6 Barzo in 27.5 on the rear of my Aether 7, it was superb in the slop and also the hard stone & roots of the Forest of Dean today.
Which version have you got? I have both the newer 2.0 and the cheaper older version. There is a marked difference in handling in the wet. ( 2.0 graphene is loads better) Obviously different compounds. I run mine with 15 psi in front and 17 in back. I’m a lightweight mincer though.
I am fairly sure mine is the cheaper, non grapheme, version which replaced a Wolfpack trail. I really liked the Wolfpack but couldn't find a replacement so went for the Barzo. I'll drop pressure and experiment and see how we go.
I have a Peyote on the front for three seasons, which seemed a bit better for leant-over grip, but maybe not in terms of straight-line braking.
At the moment it's a Maxxis Forekaster for me, has a bit more lug everywhere.
I like my Barzo and Gina's - they have a nice balance of grip, rolling resistance and comfortable carcasses.
But, they have a habit of letting go quite dramatically when they do, and neither model likes damp rocks which can be a problem.
Isn't a peyote a dry conditions smaller knob barzo? So less grip?