So my Stumpjumper Evo still has the full blown DH casing super soft Continental Krypotals from last year's holiday on it, with inserts as well.
Kept them on for the winter (as I tend to hit the gym rather than go out on bike in the winter so it sufficed for the occasional venture out). But now the weather is picking up, the trails are drying out and I'm getting out on the bike more I'm realising the drag and rolling weight of these tires is biblical and also completely killing the feel of the bike (and me on the climbs!).
So I'm looking to replace these with something lighter and faster rolling but still with good grip. I tend to ride places with natural trails like golfie/dunkeld/pitmedden etc so needing something that still has good grip in mixed conditions but lighter and faster rolling.
I like the continentals so thought I'd just get a lighter casing but looking online, the lighter casings only come with the hard compound and the soft compound is reserved for the heavier enduro/dh casings, which isn't ideal.
I suppose the default answer will be maxxis as that's what most people use but my previous experience with them hasn't been brilliant with poor QC meaning several warped or buckled tires. Is that still an issue.
What else are people using and can recommend for these sort of trails on analogue bikes? Open to suggestions.
I've put Schwalbe radials on the HT in Trail spec - soft Albert out back and supersoft Mary up front - run a few more PSI as recommended and they don't seem bad rolling wise and decent grip levels - no inserts and haven't dinged a rim yet. Verdict is out as to whether they are as good as the DH Kryptotals on my Levo, but....
I’m a bit of a fan of vittoria tyres their 4c compound seems to be very grippy whilst rolling well
+1 Vittoria tyres here, I run them all year in various guises from Mota (winter), Mazza (inbetweeny) and Agarro summer
James
I have been running Maxxis Forekaster all winter and am really impressed with them. Not sure weather I will change to my summer set up which is Vittoria Mezcal and Barzo front.
Another one I always recommend is Hutchinson Griffus Racing Lab - have to have the 2.4 rear, 2.5 front though, they are specific even though they look similar.
No good in proper slop (they aren't low profile/close spaced knobs, but they just don't have forward traction in mud), but roll really well in dry/loose/loam, grip well and have decent sidewalls - they feel really compliant without letting everything through to the rim. A very good 2-3 season tyre IMO.
Mine are all tan wall (and I have a few sets), but they are available in black
The Kryptotal comes in Trail casing and soft compound now.
Biketart have them in stock at the mo
I ride all the same places that you mentioned. Maxxis DHR2 on the rear, Magic Mary on the front. Best combo I have used
6 replies and no mention of tyre……..?
This place ain’t what it used to be!
My thoughts exactly!
The enduro casing contis are decent for general trail riding IME. I also think the general consensus is that the trail casing tyres aren’t that much lighter so you may as well go with the enduro casing for extra support and protection.
I use what Northwind tells me to.
6 replies and no mention of tyre……..?
This place ain’t what it used to be!
You can blame the autocorrect on my phones default US English keyboard for that one!
Some good suggestions here. Have been curious about the vittorias and it seems to be a popular choice.