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So I've been testing these out for a while now as a possible one-size-fits-all for general DH and Alps riding. I've been running Rubber Queens on my trail bike for a while and have been impressed, so thought I would give these DH ones a go.
You know what it can be like in the Alps in the summer (and the UK for that matter) - one minute bone dry, perfect for the staple of HR or Minion, then the next minute chucking it down and the grip disappears until you get the Swampys on. And then it dries up and your Swampys feel like you're riding on marbles.....
Pros: Grip! These things grip amazingly whether it's dry or damp. Noticeably grippier than a 3c High Roller or Minion in the damp. About as grippy in the dry. Tough thick sidewalls, no rips or pinchflats so far, but then I don't tend to get flats with Maxxis either. Don't seem to wear much - certainly no noticeable chunking or ripped nobs like on soft Maxxis tyres.
Cons: Expensive - ~£50 a tyre. Rolling resistance - they don't roll as fast in the dry as a HR or a Minion.
Would I use them instead of my usual HR or Minion? Yes, they are a worthwhile alternative. I hope you might find this mini review useful.
Cheers for that. Do you know if there's a UST version? A quick google suggests nothing.
Wonder what Gee thinks of them.
Been using these since they were first released as the Rain King and agree they are fantastic tyres that work in a really broad spectrum of conditions, they were even ace in icy conditions last winter.
They will run UST, beads are really tight so they inflate without problem on UST rims.
It you're heavy on the rear brake and lock up, then you will trash a rear pretty quickly, otherwise I am still running a pair that I fitted 6 races ago and the rear is just about ready for a change but not actually trashed yet.
You can get a pair for £70 if you shop around.
Gee has been using, (and trashing), a new Conti prototype tyre this season, it's a love child of a Minion and HR.