Ive been buying whatever tyres were cheap and looked kind of suitable for where we have been riding. However im now building a new FS 29 and i have a 30mm id front rim and a 26mm id rear rim. The bike is 150 lyriks and 140 Kitsuma cc shock.
The DH bikes use Maxxis DHF DHR2 as we like those for Antur, Revs and morzine. We also have wet screams for if its filthy.
My 160mm HT has Bonty xr4 front and rear.
160mm fs has an XR4 front and a Spesh Purg grid rear
120mm FS has a Spesh Purgatory Grid on rear and a Butcher Grid on front.
Most of these tyres have been bought when on a special offer and pressed into service when they seemed appropriate.
We ride mostly in N Wales which means not so many bridleways and more trail centres. We also ride a bit in a local forest. I have more time to ride now im retired so want to make the lakes a regular ride venue too.
I like to pedal up as well as be made to look like a god of gnarr and enduro on the way down. However mostly i would just like to have lots of grip to be confident.
So unless its for the DH bikes, ive never actually selected the exact tyre i want.
So what should i buy? And where should i get them from?
Sorry for spamming with a what tyre thread, but im really not so wise in these matters
Thanks
Ian
Lots of grip and not used for really muddy conditions then id go for some Maxxis Assegai's in whatever compound and sidewall suits your riding
I run the Maxxgrip, DoubleDown sidewall versions on my e-mtb, the only time they struggle is in really muddy conditions where the clog up with mud, then its time to fit the Maxxis Shorty's
The Assegai's are great for grip, there are no big gaps between the knobs like on the DHF & DHR2 so when leaning the bike over there is no loss of grip until the side knobs engage
Michelin Wild Enduro.
Best tyre combo I've had is Schwalbe Magic Mary up front, Hans Dampf out back. Great all round combo and super grippy. I've had the XR4's and Specialized Purgs in the past and liked them but the Schwalbe's are another level.
I ride butcher up front and purgatory on the back by choice on full suss and hardtail.
I have gone to a shorty up front on the full suss for slop. It's much harder work and grippier than the butcher.
Ive had probs with Schwalbe shedding outer edge knobs previously, so not too keen to go back there.
Im taking it that all these tyres are quite hard to pedal?
I rate the wild enduro as well.
On my 2nd set
Have used michelins - crap
Various WTB’s - good
Maxxis Minions OK
WTB Vigilantes - heavy but were my tyre of choice.
Vee Tire (albeit 27.5) - truly stunning tyres and light too.
Currently on the latest compound Conti Der Kaiser and Der Baron. Unbelievable for grip and control. My new best friend in tyres. Bit heavy but i climb things none of my riding group can and descend as the God you are looking to become! Well….in my head anyway.
Whatever…….good luck finding stock of anything!
I've been running purgatory F+R for a few years in winter. I think they make a good compromise between fast rolling and a mud tyre. One tire to run for 6 months of the year if you don't ever want to have to swap. I found anything more open tended to feel a bit less stable when visiting trail centers and confronted with a surface it couldn't dig into.
Then in summer, something like Specialized Ground Control, knoby enough for damp days, but fast enough not to warrant swapping for the few bone dry weeks.
Having said that, I've still got the Vittoria Goma on my Scandal which are their equivalent of a DHF/Butcher. I guess I just like running a set of tyres, getting used to how they handle different surfaces and never switching.
Continental Der Baron Projekt on the front with a Trail King on the back (both in Black Chili). Superb tyres
Ive had probs with Schwalbe shedding outer edge knobs previously
Many, many years ago (about 2015-16) and it was a problem with a specific batch, and most were replaced under warranty...
New Addix compounds not only last (a lot!) longer, but are also much grippier too...
Magic Mary on the front, either Big Betty or Nobby Nic on the rear (depending on your preference), you won't go wrong, Super Trail carcass and Addix Soft (Orange stripe) compounds most probably... 👍🏻
Im taking it that all these tyres are quite hard to pedal?
There's always a trade off between grip and rolling speed. Rear tyre affects the rolling speed far more than the front, so you can run a grippy front tyre and it barely affects your rolling speed.
Try a Magic Mary up front and the latest Nobby Nic up front, honestly... Will be a completely different experience to several years ago, I would happily place a bet with you there! 😉
Magic Mary on the front, either Big Betty or Nobby Nic on the rear
Is Hans Dampf on the back old skool now?
Also asking as I'm struggling with a DHR on the front of my trail bike. Seems to slip down off camber ruts all too readily. I'm shite and it's making me shiter.
Also looking for an EWS ready set up for my son that will see him round the course on his own (without inserts) while I drink coffee in the van. Any suggestions?