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Yes another tyre thread! What tyres for my 1st transwales. They'll be tubeless either way.
My current selection is:
2.4 Mountain Kings
2.1/2 Panaracer XC Fire Pros
2.2 Conti Speed Kings
1.8 Panaracer Trailblasters
2.2 Maxxis Crossmarks (scary on wet grass!)
2.2 Trailrakers
Was going to ask the same question! Likewise this will be my TW cherry - running a week without changing tyres will be a new experience for me, I may get rubber withdrawal! 😯
I've been considering taking the tubeless conversion option but not having run them before I'm a bit worried I'll manage to cock it up 😕
Was thinking a Nobby Nic 2.25 up front and Speed King 2.3 rear, but was hoping anyone who's done this before could comment on the relative rockiness / muddiness.
If sidewall cuts are likely to be an issue I was thinking of trying the Maxxis ADvantage as they might cover most bases and the 2.1s apparently come up as large as most tyres' 2.2-2.3.
Any help / experiences gratefully received!
coopersport is that si??? just a guess from your email addy
its Shaun (user name is my last 4) if so bring them all we will have enough space as im going to have a van as will tony ireland's guys
shaun
see you there
You'll find a lot of people will run their standard XC tyre. Ralphs seemed popular last year.
There's was very little really rocky stuff last year, but lots of mud and bogginess.
I understand there's a lot more trail centre stuff this year though.
Best tyres for me in that part of Wales is Eskars, the new ones coming out are even better. Tried Fat Alberts, Alberts, High Rollers, Nevegal+BG. Advantage Crossmarks. I found crossmark on the back around Brechfa, Cilycwm & Doethie Valley lethal in the wet. The trails will be wet, will be probably be the same with the weather here in the last 4 weeks and no sign of let up for the next 2 weeks.
If you want to get another reccomendation, try Nobby Nic up front and Racing Ralp in the back and get to know them. I have swamp things for winter.
I used a maxxis monorail/crossmark combo last year. Sure it was a bit dicey on the wet grass but not leathal (if your used to them anyway), my mate used Larsen TT's front/rear and we never had any problems with passing people on the silly downhills :0).
There was a hell of a lot of road/forest-track/hardpack on this event last year, even with the rain, and not a huge amount of grass, so i appreciated the faster rolling compared to a treaded tyre.
Thanks folks. Sounds like Ralphs + Nics are good / popular combo, so I might go with Plan A. I'm used to the Nic and a Rocket Ron or Speed King, was just wondering if they're up to the terrain but sounds like you reckon they are.
catnash, how did you get on with the Fat Alberts? Agreed the Crossmarks don't look like the tyre for the wet, a mate runs them - great when dry (which it won't be...).
Fat Albert I use Albert in the back, cant fault them really, quick rolling controlled drift, but the Eskar edges it for the whole mix of my trail riding around the Brechfa forest.
Ta muchly catnash. "controlled drift" usually becomes uncontrolled given my lack of skillz 😳 but the Fat Alberts do look pretty stable given their girth. Guess I'm just a big fan of Schwalbe tyres in general.
Will have a shufty at the Eskar.
Big fan of Hutchinson Toro's 2.15 - work great in the Peaks/Scotland/Lakes. Very grippy in wet and dry - good in damp rooty + rocky conditons and clear mud well. Lightweight, so great for XC and Enduro stuff, but have v. tough sidewalls.
You can run tubeless too.
Bit pricey but have lasted about 4x longer than my old Maxxis Advantage did!
how much "on-road" riding is there? hopefully not a lot as my tyres behave like crippled dogs on tarmac...
Is tubeless a good choice for 7 days of riding? I've never got a flat on my USTs but the last thing I'd want is to have to try and get a UST tyre off the rim when I'm knackered and muddy
Coopersport (Si) - are you coming now then - make your mind up!
JonnyB has the right idea - Toro are probably perfect
After last year I'd worry about Ralph/Ron/Nic tyres due to the lightweight sidewalls. Fair chance these will split on welsh rocks and I know you're a tubeless warrior
Brengun, I started this thread a while back when I was on the bus. Firmly off again and staying off this time! It'll be there next year!
Very jealous of you lot riding and knowing there are still places available!
Going to Brighton on Sat for the BigDog 6hr, then going to drown the TW sorrows!
Still need to know what to do with the Giant?
2 1/2 weeks and i'll be in the desert.