Hi,
Got a week in Madeira booked for end April/beginning May. Looking for recommendations for tyres. Usually run T9 Butchers, but wondering if they'll be grippy enough as Freeride recommend Magic Marys.. I've got a Hillbilly, but not sure if it'll be too mud specific? I've also got 2 weeks in the alps so not averse to buying new tyres. Not used Schwalbe for 6-7 years - had some MM in vertstar but destroyed them in 2 days in the Alps and wasn't that impressed.
I've also got some Michelin Wild Enduros (not the DH casing) but they may not be strong enough..?
Anyone got any recommendations for the terrain out there?
thanks
Been a couple of times, but just fir day rides. If the weather is dry, my normal Maxxis DHF / DHRII combo is fine. If it rains, err no. The fine red dust turns into the slipperiest substance known to man apart from wet ice. Magic Mary or the like for that. If you're riding fir a week, it will likely rain. Get sticky rubber on.
When i went out i had some magic mary's front and back more because that is what i run most of the time anyway unless its proper grim and i get a dirty dan out.
They were awesome out there proper grippy in the inches of dust but also good in the spot of mud we had.
Need to get back there such a great place
I used a maxxis shorty, it was great in the dust and ok in the mud. Bear in mind when it's wet it is absolutely lethally slippy, more slippy than you think is possible.
Thanks, that's really helpful - whats the terrain like for tyre slashes?
Didnt have any in our group all week. Everyone was on supergarvity/doubledown or dh tyres. Dont know if that is lucky or normal?
As a previous poster mentioned the mud is wild, but there is some bits thatt is like ice its nit mud but its slippy as hell. I just accept that i was going to have a 50/50 chance
Thanks, that’s really helpful – whats the terrain like for tyre slashes?
Trails are rarely rocky, but you're doing multiple days of long descents so there's plenty of opportunity for mechanicals.
it's worth having something stronger than trail casing.
Agree on the tyre slash(ness). Not that bad (nothing like Southern Spain or high Alps), but if you're doing a week, get some decent casing. No need for full DH casing though.
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Was over for a week's riding in April with Freeride last year and going back in May this year to do the Trans Madeira. As above when it's wet or damp no tyre will grip on the "Madeira Ice" it's lethal. I'll just be leaving the Winter tyres on my bike (Assegai front, DHR rear). Top tip: Bring layers and don't base your idea of what the weather for the day will be like based on the nice weather at sea level. We got frozen and soaked last year. One morning left the Freeride shop in Sunshine, drop off point had slush on the ground and was bitterly cold. Load of walkers in shorts and T-shirts looking half hypothermic.
You'll be in the same uplift van for the day so you can bring a bag with extra layers and leave in the van.
Agree with above, trails don't tend to be too rocky (the odd section), more flowy and really well maintained. Don't remember any braking bumps.
PS, this place is great for food, close to FreeRide
https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g189167-d13402158-Reviews-MadMarket_Restaurante-Funchal_Madeira_Madeira_Islands.html