which fast rolling 29er tyres - fit and forget.

Vittoria: Barzo front, Mezcal rear.

Came here to say Barzo front Mezcal rear
Was not suprised someone already had.

Very much Barzo/Mezcal combo

Ardent races...

Ardent race front, Ikon rear

Well that seems pretty conclusive then! Stangely enough I was going to include in my post my readings on the Barzo/Mezcal combo. Friday night shopping begins then.

Thanks all.

Use what you have. I've ardents on my ht and it's a fast rolling bike.

Lethal in greasy pine forests though

Fast rolling = Spesh fast track

I'm not in any rush, i'll await a few more suggestions. Thanks

Purgatory 2.3, fast rolling and surprisingly good in the wet Vs Ardent or similar, great cornering edge

Spesh fasttrack for me, used them for years and love them - they are fast! I tend to use them all year round…

Would a Rekon front and rear be too trail orientated? I am really enjoying mine, fast but safe.

Was a massive fan of barzo and mezcals for all year use, ie barzo front and rear for oct to April then barzo front mezcal rear for the rest unless we have really dry summer them mezcal front and rear, but always thought the barzo was not quite there for the full winter shit, so now I’m Spesh ground control/fast track/renegade combo just seems to give me full year use all those 3, where as the Vittoria combo just fell short ideally if there was a barzo winter with a bit more tread then the Victoria’s would have stayed

Specialized Ground control 2.35 T7 front / Fast Trak 2.35 T5 rear. About £65 for both.

Good combo of fast rolling and grip.

https://www.bikeperfect.com/reviews/specialized-ground-control-fastrak-and-renegade-xcdowncountry-tires-review
Guy Kesteven seems to like them, tested in UK ofcourse.

Continental Race King Protection 606g, light & very fast rolling, rear maybe
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/mtb-reviews/continental-race-king-protection-2020

To be fair Guy Kesteven does seem to like everything he gets to test ...

MK2 Forekaster front, Ardent rear for a wee bit more grip?
Just depends on local roots and soil, doesn't it. Where I am, the Vittoria combo would only work well for the driest month, similar with Reckon, Ikon, Ardent race etc.
On my old xc 29er, I tend to use just whatever half worn rubber there is hanging in the back of the shed..

Another shout out for the Barzo/Mezcal massive... similar purpose to you on my xc hardtail setup, I feel like it's the perfect year round answer to my needs.

Race King Cross King combo. Light and fast

I went to the shop to buy a barzo metscal combo saw the price and got a rocket Ron and a racing Ralf instead...been good.

Nobby Nic front, Wicked Will rear.
2.6" if possible.

I tried the Barzo/Mescal combo but didn't get on with them. I switched to Wolfpack, can't remember the name but the more xc version
Very good but hard to find. I think Kids racing had stocks.

Vittoria Peyote front, Bontrager XR2/1 rear.

I'd run 2 pairs, sorry 🙂

Something with bugger all grip and little/no impact protection but light for your local stuff and then another pair for going away.

I'm Scottish based but on my HT which I use for general XC/trail/bikepacking:
- winter is an DHF front and Minion SS rear
- summer is a pair of Vittoria Saguaro that came with the bike

I use Continental Race King. Very fast and only had one puncture in 2 sets when the sealant dried out. They've been so good I'm reluctant to try anything else now.

Wicked Wills front and rear. Or even faster, Racing Ray front, Ralph rear.

Love the Barzo's on my hardtail. No shortage of grip & been tempted to up the gearing since fitting them.

Thanks all, plenty to think about and shop around for. I think I'm nearly set on the Barzo/Mezcal although internet research today has left me pondering the Teravail Ehline upfront and the same on the back or possibly a Sparwood?

I had the Rutland's on my old Diverge and they were great. Has anyone used either of these at all?

I grew up cycling on the Suffolk Coast and intheborders has the right approach imo.

Home and Away kit.