It’s new tyre time. Currently have an ancient MK/XK combo on a 29er hardtail, but realistically most of what I ride is hardpack, loose stone and slabs rather than anything more muddy/technical, and if I’m being honest it’s probably all doable on a gravel bike.
So, what tyres in 2.2-2.4? I assume any XC tyre short of a file tread racing special would probably be fine?
Bontrager XR1 on Evans at the minute (or were last week) for £12 a pop.
Heavy gravel - quick, delete the thread title before the bike industry sees it....
Bontrager XR1 on Evans at the minute (or were last week) for £12 a pop.
Had Bonty tyres on a previous bike, and wasn’t that impressed. It was some years ago though…
Heavy gravel - quick, delete the thread title before the bike industry sees it....
Given that some tyre manufacturers are going up to 55-622 which isn’t far off what I need, I was kind of counting on them seeing it…
Am using Mezcals for exactly that, 'gravel' rides which stray into mountainbike territory. Haven't tested them on long, steep or muddy descents right enough.
Thanks - sounds like that’s what I’m after.
Are you running them front and back?
Mezcals
I have a 2.3 on the front and a 50c panaracer gravel king on the back of my commuter/ gravel wagon.
I've only had them in proper mud once. It was the mudguards that were the limiting factor 🥺
Are you running them front and back?
Yep 👍 I'm occasionally tempted to leave a Barzo on front as they seem pretty fast also, but the Mezcal has never really left me wanting.
I have had Mezcals on my crazy drop bar MTB and have had Barzos on my FS bike.
Both are fab. The Mezvals are quieter and a touch faster rolling. Barzos definitely grip more when it’s soft. The Mezcals are pretty edge less
The liberal democrat answer is Barzo front Mezcal rear
Specialized Ground Control front with either the same, a Renegade or a Fast Trak rear.
Ardents. 2.4 up front 2.25 out back.
Ardents. 2.4 up front 2.25 out back.
Schwalbe Rick & Thunder Burts are popular in gravel racing but are actually MTB XC tyres
Just to be clear. Mezcals are really good tyres, but mud tyres they are not 😂
Just to be clear. Mezcals are really good tyres, but mud tyres they are not 😂
I can live with that. The X King on the back isn’t a mud tyre either…
Mezcals are quite rounded in profile though so they don't have much edge grip for off-camber sections/getting back out of ruts and wheeltracks etc.
Surprisingly good traction on the rear but on the front they can be a bit wayward.
So, been out today with a Mezcal. It was very fast. Optician has been warning me off running it on the front though, he scared himself.
Maybe time to swap for a Barzo and keep the Mezcal for the rear? 🤔
I prefer Barzo on the front, and it doesn't seem to be any slower really. (or at least doesn't feel slow, which is what matters I think!)
I prefer Barzo on the front, and it doesn't seem to be any slower really. (or at least doesn't feel slow, which is what matters I think!)
Yes, optician said similar, also said it was a lot less sketchy on anything less than bone dry trails, and this is someone who used to race semi-pro cyclocross so has far better bike handling skills than me...
Barzo ordered.
I prefer Barzo on the front, and it doesn't seem to be any slower really. (or at least doesn't feel slow, which is what matters I think!)
Yes, optician said similar, also said it was a lot less sketchy on anything less than bone dry trails, and this is someone who used to race semi-pro cyclocross so has far better bike handling skills than me...
Barzo ordered.
Interestingly (or not) a 2.25 Barzo on a DT 391 measures up much the same as a 2.2 Mountain King on an ancient Arch EX. The Mezcal is slightly wider despite being nominally the same width.
I have the old model ‘peyote’ on the front in 2.1” which is sort of in-between the current Mezcal and Barzo in tread pattern. I think I’ll maybe go for a Barzo to replace it when the time comes.
On the rear I have a Terreno dry currently so a very different tyre, but it works (at this time of year). Tempted to find a terreno mix for winter in as wide a size as possible or see if another XC/gravel tread is available in the 45-47mm range…
I am maybe a bit too hung up on Vittoria though, I definitely won’t touch panaracer again lovely tyres very comfortable, but I found them way to delicate for my fat arse, YMMV of course and Gravel Kings of various sorts always seem to be going cheap on Banana industries so always worth a look if they do tickle your fancy
I am maybe a bit too hung up on Vittoria though, I definitely won’t touch panaracer again lovely tyres very comfortable, but I found them way to delicate for my fat arse, YMMV of course and Gravel Kings of various sorts always seem to be going cheap on Banana industries so always worth a look if they do tickle your fancy
I've just switched from Vittoria to Panaracer, for the extra durability! 😆 I have it on good authority from a pal that they new X1+ is substantially more robust, time will tell but so far so good, and they sort of tick me 'heavy gravel' needs as I want something that I can rattle across loose and rocky forest road sections without slicing a tyre..
I've just switched from Vittoria to Panaracer, for the extra durability!
I have it on good authority from a pal that they new X1+ is substantially more robust
Well I’m hoping my take or experience is out of date/incorrect, but I was left a bit disappointed. I only ever tried Gravel kings though, perhaps their other (and newer) tyres do have a more robust construction.
Vittoria and Schwalbe are my preference now across most bikes.
On my short travel FS I use Mezcals and find them lightweight and fantastic. Bike is used for bike packing and long days in the saddle and they last well, I have 29 x 2.4. But they are not for the mud, they slip and slide.But hardpack and dry they are fab 
Well I’m hoping my take or experience is out of date/incorrect, but I was left a bit disappointed. I only ever tried Gravel kings though, perhaps their other (and newer) tyres do have a more robust construction.
Yeah that's what amused me, my take was exactly the same as yours, I'm basically just trusting my mate that they've completely redesigned. Reviews seemed good of the less puncture proof 'new' X1s.
