I'm looking to replace the WTB Vigilante and Trail Boss tyres on my Solaris. They are 29er 2.6" and new ones seem to be like hen's teeth. I tried a sneaky ask of Cotic to see is they could sell me a set but no joy there #sadface.
I got on with the WTB tyres but as clearly the Great World Stock Shortage shows no sign of easing anytime soon I am open to other options.
Can you recommend me anything? I'm after 2.6" for general trail riding in woods and trail centres so don't need DH capable rubber! And I'm a bit of a bike tart so would prefer front and rear tyres from the same brand, just for neatness!
I have been very impressed with the new Specialized Butcher in T9 Grid Trail, comes in 2.6 too.
Hmm, what does STW think about a Maxxis Assegai/Dissector combo? I seem to recall a review in the mag of a Nukeproof with that combo that got two thumbs up.
Try MSC Gripper. They come up much bigger than the stated size so dont diso**** based on what you read on the sidewall. Very good value, very impressed.
Confused by the layout here:
The heading says MSC gripper, and the description matches but then the blurb is talking about a 26" 2.2?
what does STW think about a Maxxis Assegai/Dissector combo?
I've not ridden the Dissector, but the Assegai might be a bit more tyre than you need. It's also not as versatile as some tyres, if you're looking for a year-round pair. Clogs a bit easily IME.
Maybe consider the Michelin Wild Enduro pair, Maxxis DHR2 both ends or Schwalbe Big Betty and Magic Mary.
I just had exactly the same issue trying to find WTB's for my RocketMax. I even cheekily emailed Cotic to see if they would sell me some! There seems to be no stock anywhere and Cotic aren't expecting their next batch from WTB for 12 months!!!
I looked at Michelins but no stock of Wild Enduro's anywhere so ended up going back to Maxxis with a DHF 2.5 and a dissector 2.4 bought from deporvillage. Tyres seem to be a real issue to get hold of at the moment.
Ah. Merlin had the Michelins for a reasonable price, but they're out of stock now.
I've been very impressed with the Hillbilly 2.6 - its not the stickiest of rubber but something about the tread pattern and casing finds a fair bit of grip on rock or roots (despite the long lifespan). And on softer ground it really digs in whilst rolling fine (at a front tyre). Or if you want stickier rubber but a less toothy tread pattern, the Butcher T9 is reviewed well (the older gnarly tyres are the same compound as the new T7 ones).
And for the back, either the Butcher (grippier) or the Eliminator (faster). The Grid casing has been fine for me with foam inserts, the Grid Trail is tougher but not much heavier. The Black Diamond and Gravity casings will be heavier and slower (but really tough). There's stock of all of these, some at ok prices, if you hunt about.
With the recent Specialized tyres, the 2.6 are about 2.5" wide and the 2.3 about 2.4", so it makes for a nice front/rear pairing that's better balanced than true 2.6/2.3.
Stock is the issue, isn't it? Lots of great tyres to read about but none to buy. Unless you want 27.5...
Dissectors on both ends of my hard tail are quite good for my brand of mincing, grip on steep, wet rock is good. Seems to cope with our local mud/clay ok but it's not yet properly wet here.
"Stock is the issue, isn’t it? Lots of great tyres to read about but none to buy. Unless you want 27.5…"
"There’s stock of all of these, some at ok prices, if you hunt about."
I bought a pair of 29" tyres yesterday.
Vigilante is sort of an all round front tyre so I think:
Maxxis DHF
Vitoria Mazza
Specialized Butcher
Hutchinson Griffus
Schwalbe Magic Mary (small sizes)
Are all quite decent allrounders. Dhf / mazza / butcher are very similar.
Hutchinson and Griffus will fare better in wet conditions and slightly less well on hardpack.
At the back I don’t think the trailboss is a great tyre - I have one which I just use for Antur Stiniog really - where it’s a cheap option for the tough casing.
For similar or better performance I’ve used:
Maxxis Aggressor
Maxxis Dissector
For a bit more grip and braking performance a 2.3” Maxxis DHR2.
I guess a Schwalbe Hans Dampf might do something similar.
For a slightly more summer orientated tread a Specialized Slaughter is ok. I’ve actually found the Slaughter better than the Aggressor and Dissector - it drifts less and doesn’t find much less in the way of braking / drive forward grip.
Edit - if you want something in stock that’s a bit more ‘wintery’ for the front then the Kenda Hellcat seems to be in stock - would probably go 29 x 2.4 and the AEC casing. Almost bought one earlier but found a Hillbilly in 29 x 2.6 and o know I like those for winter slop so bought one.