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Hi All (and apologies for another what tyre thread!)
I'm currently building up my first 29'er from parts - emerging from the noughties and 26" wheels (where my go-to choice was WTB Velociraptors for about £40 a pair) it seems there's way too much choice now, and without a degree in tyreology it's impossible to know what's good and what's not...
So - any recommendations for 29" tyres mainly for:
Swinley - groomed hardpack with occasional slippery roots
Cotswolds - good old fashioned mud interspersed with hawthorns.
New rims are 24mm internal, recommended max width of 2.5". Frame I have in mind for the build is max 2.6". Fairly lightweight mincey rider, ideal tyres would also be lightweight, reasonably fast rolling and hardwearing.
Any suggestions?
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Oooooo, where to start.
For fast rolling, with good grip on hardpack I really like WTB Trailboss TCS Tough/fast rolling tyres, although I have used TCS light/fast rolling in the peaks with few issues.
I like all WTB tyres to be honest!
Hutchinson Gryphon for the rear is also a pretty light rolling choice, with a Minion DHF on the front - surprisingly light rolling and I like to have a lot of grip on the front to tackle roots and push into corners.
This is just purely my opinion.
If it weren't for the hawthorns, I'd recommend what I have, a maxxis dhr2 2.4 maxxterra exo on the front, and a schwalbe rockrazor 2.35 on the back. Not the fastest front but good allround grip in everything but serious mud, while the semi-slick rear gives you loads of speed and still gives a surprising amount of grip. Though, can run out of steam when pedalling through a swamp.
But I don't know how well they'd deal with thorns.
Sounds like you need a reinforced xc tyre, not a trail tyre. So TNT Vittoria Barzos probably as they are fast, but not too bad in the mud.
I pretty much run the same tyres all year round - Nobby Nics.
My FS has the 2.35s which dealt with Swinley fine.
My hardtail has the 2.6s which have got loads of grip. If it ever gets dry for a significant time again, I'd probably swap back to thunder burts on this bike.
There’s been tyres I’ve loved that mates haven’t and vice versa.
Just pick the ones you like the look of that are closest to the tyres you used to have, there’s a chance you’ll not like them but you’ll most likely be fine.
Fwiw - Bontrager XR4 2.4’s, set up tubeless.
Thanks - I'll do some digging.
It's amazing the differences in weight of some of the suggestions - eg. Barzo's are 650g for a 2.5, the Trailboss is over 1kg... I guess there's a lot of extra toughness/carcass/tread weight there, but that's a pretty substantial difference!
Vittoria do a specific mud XC tyre. Used to get them cheap at Planet X. Forgot the name sorry!
It was called Gato
I have found the trail boss great on roots and with puncture protection. maybe try vee crown gems they are also great
Thanks all - have ordered some Barzos (Barzi?) - will see how I get on with them, although it may be a while as other than those and wheels I don't have any other new bike bits yet!
Maxxis tyre combos explained. 🙂
Some good advice up there, apart from the ones advocating mismatching tyre brands. It makes me shudder! 😉