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[Closed] Specialized Hillbillys- Temptation strikes

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I know that DH riders are few and far between on here but I thought I'd bring it up.

I like the look of these and they're a reasonable price- [url= http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Specialized/Hillbilly-Downhill-Tyre-26-x-23/NPX?wmp=369?wmp=369 ]LINK[/url]

I'm bringing my DH bike up to scratch but everywhere I'm likely to ride will be like chocolate soup. I bought some of the cheap Muddy Marys which is the same as the new Magic Mary Bikpark tyre. While they're always available at a good price they're very heavy and quite hard compound.

Anyone had a dalliance with a Hillbilly? Anything else I should consider. Maybe a Maxxis Shorty from Germany?


 
Posted : 05/01/2016 3:10 pm
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I have the 29er grid version. Have been extremely pleased with it so far this winter. Road it back to back with a shorty (also 29) and based on that brief experience they are similar.

Can't comment on if the heavier casing ones handle the same but presumably the tread should?


 
Posted : 05/01/2016 3:51 pm
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Sorry to hijack the thread a little, but Swanny, I have been looking at the 29er hillbilly for a while, are you running a pair, if not what have are you running on the rear, I have been contemplating moving my Butcher to the rear and putting a hillbilly on the front. How does the 29er tyre feel weight wise?


 
Posted : 05/01/2016 3:57 pm
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I was just adding these to my basket- [url= http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/maxxis-shorty-26x2.40-supertacky-60dw-wire-408882 ]Shorty[/url]

Can you believe they only have 1 in stock? What a bummer.


 
Posted : 05/01/2016 3:57 pm
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I didn't use them often but I liked em- they're the same deal as the shorty etc, effectively a pre-cut spike and performed pretty much like my cut wet screams. Nothing much else going on, they're better in mud than a muddy mary and the knobs don't tear off as they do on marys but they're not great on hard stuff.

<disgraceful hijack> Pretty sure I have a pair of hillbilly DHs in the garage if you want 'em. They've a little wear but nothing major. Sold the DH bike so not got any use for them now. Also got a Conti Der Baron 2.5 which I bloomin loved in winter, though it weighs a ton)


 
Posted : 05/01/2016 4:09 pm
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m bringing my DH bike up to scratch but everywhere I'm likely to ride will be like chocolate soup

Make the most of it, stick proper muds on and enjoy the (frankly ridiculous) grip! e.g. Maxxis Wet Screams, Schwalbe Dirty Dans, Michelin Muds.

Modern short spikes are fine, proper ones are incredible


 
Posted : 05/01/2016 4:12 pm
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Balls. I just pulled the trigger on some posh 3C Shortys. They're still so much cheaper than they are over here.

Where are you out of interest? If I'm passing I might take you up on your offer.

EDIT:

Make the most of it, stick proper muds on

Can't really get away with them. One of the places I can't wait to ride is our old jump track. It's really gravelly but a mixture of hard and loose. Need something that can do both plus the local uplifts.


 
Posted : 05/01/2016 4:13 pm
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TBH if the DH shorties are as good as the trailbike ones then that's probably a good decision. I'm in edinburgh though if you fancy building a tyre mountain


 
Posted : 05/01/2016 4:20 pm
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They could be my drift practice tyres. If we get up to GT or Inners in the next few weeks I'll give you a shout ๐Ÿ˜‰

Ordered a big bottle of Stans sealant as well so I'll be losing the weight of the tractor tubes I'm currently riding.


 
Posted : 05/01/2016 4:23 pm
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I have been looking at the 29er hillbilly for a while, are you running a pair, if not what have are you running on the rear, I have been contemplating moving my Butcher to the rear and putting a hillbilly on the front. How does the 29er tyre feel weight wise?

I've got an on one smorgasbord on the back. It's a tyre I bought before I swore off them, but it seems to be a pretty good general purpose wet tyre. I'd probably be pairing it with something like a purgatory otherwise so a butcher may work (not used one).

As for weight, it's a chunky 29er tyre, so not really light. I will say that on the bike it seems easier rolling than the hans dampf it replaced, but I may just be imagining it.


 
Posted : 05/01/2016 5:33 pm
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Hillbilly grid is a great tyre in 29er flavour for the muddy slop. I pair mine with a purgatory at the back.


 
Posted : 05/01/2016 7:50 pm