[Closed] EXO+ vs DD

I would take the rimpact out and go with DD.

In my experience DD tyres are quite resilient to slashes and punctures, but the flexible casing seems to be probe to transmit impacts to the rim.
I'm now on Michelin Wild Enduros, the side walls seem not to be as cut resistant as DDs but they are stiffer and protect the rims better. The Wild Enduros thread also seems to be a Goldilocks design, they do everything well without being specialists.

I wouldn't worry to much about the weight increase by going to a DD or equivalent casing. On the first couple of rides you'll notice a little slower acceleration a a little slower climbing on tarmac or smooth low gradient climbs. But, unless you're already on top physical condition, you'll adapt in a couple of weeks by riding frequently.

But then again, I'm a moron with a tendency to destroy tyres who's actually considering DH casings for my next set.

What did you have before? Why not go back to that? I use EXOs with no bother on an Orange Five (Lakes, Peaks, Chew Valley - not an aggro rider and more gazelle than rhino) but put a DD on the back for a Pyrenees trip because you don't wanna be faffing on your rocky hols. If you're gonna run silly pressures and dink your rims though presumably the casing itself will have no bearing.

The new Schwalbe Super Trail tyres might be better. I have a ST Big Betty ready to go on once the weather gets a bit wetter and it feels pretty robust compared to snakeskin. I'm currently running a Michelin Wild Enduro pairing which is surviving well on my Bird AM9 (I weigh 75kg) on mixed steep terrain with lots of roots and rocks. I'm on my second rear and they seem to be pretty puncture resistant.

In my experience of just one tyre Exo+ is still quite a light casing so I would go for DD if you want to try Maxxis. My DHR2 Exo+ was easily cut.

punctured a few times where Stans wouldn’t seal

my understanding is that the DD or EXO+ are only beefed up side walls, compared to EXO? The tread being the same thickness. anyone know if this is correct?

EXO and snakeskin are roughly equivilent, so may not solve all your problems.

If you actually like the Hans Dampf's tread, the Supergravity version is tougher than the DD casing.

Otherwise, it sounds like you definitely want the DD for the rear. I'd keep the Rimpact in too.

Otherwise, it sounds like you definitely want the DD for the rear. I’d keep the Rimpact in too

I did this on the back o my hardtail because... hardtail.

Works good.

I run a Magic Mary's front and rear with older super gravity in the back, also made this mistake:

who stupidly thought a Hans Dampf would be a good rear tyre?

Went back to the Magic Mary, the HD was marginally quicker rolling on tarmac and fireroads but on the trail couldnt notice, what was noticeable was the difference in braking which was the big reason I went back.

@yetiman

I have a ST Big Betty ready to go on once the weather gets a bit wetter and it feels pretty robust compared to snakeskin

How come you are keeping it for a winter tyre? From the tread pattern I assumed it would be a good all year round tyre? Been looking to pick one up but told by the LBS October/November for the next drop.

A few years back I tried a maxxis EXO DHR as a rear tyre and got loads of tears and punctures, so switched to a DD DHR, which has been perfect - no punctures at all.

Then I bought a new bike that came with an EXO+ DHR, I thought I'd end up puncturing it in short order, but so far I havent (touch wood), I've only done 130 miles on it so far, but it has held up. If it continues to hold up then I may stick with EXO+, but if it punctures I'll be going back to DD.

Thanks all 🙂

I’ve gone for Exo+

Rationale being that most of my issues seem to be sidewall related, and Exo+ with foam gives me the same rim/sidewall protection but better ‘limp home’ options compared to DD without foam

I’m now on Michelin Wild Enduros, the side walls seem not to be as cut resistant as DDs but they are stiffer and protect the rims better. The Wild Enduros thread also seems to be a Goldilocks design, they do everything well without being specialists.

I'd argue they certainly are a Goldilocks tyre, but in the sense of not doing anything well. Actually, I lie, they are cheap. Oh, and they puncture exceptionally well too.

If you arn't racing, or planning on riding at race pace, being quite light - i'd take a punt on EXO+. Personally I run a EXO+ front & DD rear, but then i'm a bit heavier than you & I race, so not getting flats is important to me.

I don't think Exo+ and insert will have nearly the same sidewall protection when compared to DD

@ oikeith – No real reason other than I’m liking the Wild Enduro rear at the moment, while it’s still dry, so I thought I would hold off fitting the BB for another month or so. I might not last that long though as I’m itching to try it.

If it were me, I'd go exo+ (and did). Reason I say that is that if you do that, and it proves not tough enough, you know to get DD. But if you get DD and it's tough enough, you don't know if Exo+ would have done the job.

IME EXO+ is good enough for anything except for really sharp rocks- flints, etc- but then for whatever reason I'm not hard on tyres.

Ive never had an issue wi thy a dhr2!2.3 exo on the back of my bikes. No inserts and generally about 25psi. That includes uplifts days at BPW /BMCC and blacks at CYB which are quite rocky etc. On that basis I’d consider exo+ but DD would probably be overkill. A slow rolling back tyre kills fun for me.

but then for whatever reason I’m not hard on tyres.

I’m not usually (ran Exo for years with no problems, although I have got faster), which is why I think my experience is more to do with the HD being rubbish, and as you say running DD when you don’t need to is expensive and heavy.

Managed to get the Exo+ for <£40 from CRC too 🙂

2.4 DHR 2 in DD - it rolls fine.

Run the pressure you decide and not what someone else thinks you should because they have no idea how, why or what you ride!

Add the insert if you really want to.

I wouldn’t take the weight penalty of the dd casing and have never run inserts as I don’t Understand why you want to make the wheel tyre combo any heavier than it has to be.

I used to use exo casing both ends but would now go for exo+ on the rear after a couple of disasters with aggressors.

Having said that I’m currently a fan of the Michelin enduro combo

never run inserts as I don’t Understand why you want to make the wheel tyre combo any heavier than it has to be

The weight of a Rimpact is negligible. Although the benefits as sold are rim protection and an ability to run lower pressures, if you have a major puncture/rim dent you can ride with zero psi for quite a long way on fairly rough terrain. I rode 3 miles back to the car and avoided having to faff with a tube in heavy rain. Worth a few grams to me!

If it helps I've been running an exo dhr 2 trail wide on the rear for the last few months on a 150mm travel stump jumper and weigh in at 63kg. I don't run an insert and run pressures at 20psi and it's been no trouble at all after laps of llandegla, Marin trail, Penmachno, cragg quarry and flyup 417.