Quickest MTB tyres please.
Not Conti Race Kings though. Both of mine have deformed which is expensive and annoying. Especially since they have loads of tread left. Outside of their 2 year warranty by just over a month aswell.
I like my Rocket Rons. Don't feel slower than racing ralphs but cope with muddy stuff a bit better.
But if you've got concerns about longevity super light fast tyres might not be your best choice !!
Maxxis Pace seems OK as a rear though not as much grip as the Ikon I had on before, which was also pretty fast. Bit cheaper though. Think an Ikon 3C front and a Pace Dual rear would be a fast Maxxis combination offering a good compromise between grip and rolling speed.
Ikon 3C here and love them. That said, they wear quickly, are shocking in mud and aren't the most robust tyre ever made. Oh and they are pricey too. Fortunately, I have a couple of spare sets in the garage from a warranty claim so these should see me through this year. Perfect tyre for 90% of my riding however.
I ran a WTB Riddler light/fast on the back last summer. Felt fast as ****, though not great in the wet.
Thunder Burts seem to do well here..
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/mtb-reviews/schwalbe-thunder-burt-snakeskin-2015
Pretty tempted.
Have always found Ralphs to be a decent fast tyre, about as fast as Race Kings, but with better grip & last much longer... Last RK I had lasted a whole 35 miles around Wales before it deformed !
So it's not just mine then. I had them hanging in the garage over winter and one was deformed prior to sticking it in the garage. The other was fine until it had been left over night in the out house having filled it with sealant, then the following day it had warped. Really strange. I'll just send them back to Continental Germany with my address and see if they do anything. Wiggle won't nor will their UK importers.
I have a Ralph on the front but am certain it's not as quick as the Race King. Much easier to set up tubeless though.
Conti Race Sport for me.
The website above has tested most of them for rolling resistance. The fastest proper tyres are Ralphs, by some margin (or were when I checked). I got some, was not disappointed. Very fast, but usefully grippy even in soft conditions. Also being Schwalbe have stiff sidewalls so they can be run very soft and supple without squirming or bouncing.
