Everything seem to fall into the cut through the mud skinny XC sorts Trailraker/MudX/Medusa etc...
Or full on over sized DH/Freeride options and not much in between.
By bike has a low BB so I need something plump to avoid pedal strikes. Any ideas anyone?
I've ridden UST tyres for ages and pretty much settled on the Nobby Nic as a great all-rounder. I've run a big NN in front for a few years now, but change stuff around on the back.
I'd definitely consider a freeride, grip-monster tyre at least up front in the winter. It's just not the time to be worrying about speed, and is the time to be worrying about planting the front end with confidence onto wet roots and slick rocks. The NN I have upfront is quite old, and I've been meaning to get hold of either a 2.4 conti rubber queen, or a hefty maxxis swamp thing to try them out. £50 for the rubber queen is steep, mind you.
RubberQueens are cheaper [url= http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productdetail.asp?productcatalogue=CONTTYMF200 ]here[/url]. I got a pair of 2.2s earlier this year and have been really impressed with them.
2.35" Bontrager ACX's are big and grippy, yet not full on freeride/DH tyre. They're not full UST, but are tubeless ready, so you just need to put a bit of sealant in. Been using them on my Giant Reign X (low BB with a fair bit of travel too, so 2.35" High Rollers would be too low profile) for a few months now, can recommend them highly. Yeah, won't grip quite as well as a full mud tyre in the mud, but they're much better than most.
Thanks for that link mate - see that the 2.4s are ten quid more expensive than the 2.2s?? Not seen that sort of discrepancy before for the same tyre - maybe a supply issue. Still a decent amount cheaper than CRC if you bundle it up to over £50.
Garry, the 2.4 UST uses the black chilli compound and is handmade in Germany. The 2.2 UST doesn't and isn't. This is where the price discrepancy lies.
Used to use NN's UST (and Panaracer Fire xcs before these) but shifted when got wet last winter to Hutchinson Toro hardskin 2.3s all mountain enduro and a set of 2.1s on other bike - much better grip in mud than NNs and pretty fast rolling. 2.3s pretty good volume. pump up real easy too.
Maxis Swampthings.
NN are pretty good all rounders in the wet woods of the Chilterns this time of year
Thanks for the suggestions everyone.... looks like there's at least 5 there to look into.
There's still the age old grip vs speed compromise but all look nice and fat.
Those Swamp things and Rubber Queens look purposeful. Going to order a few different ones and get out in the mud...