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Bontrager XR4 is one of my favourite light trail tyres.
Possibly better than anything Maxxis make for the same purpose, even if it's not as cool.
People running Bontrager and Kenda tyres. Why?
I’m as much a tyre geek as anyone but I’ve never felt inclined to look at even what these are.
I can sort of see Specialized have something going for them – as a house brand tyre they seem to have the same brand profile as proper tyre brands, they get reviewed etc.
Because they actually work quite well, cost a fair bit less than 'premium' tyres from the likes of Maxxis and Schwalbe and, in the case of Bontrager, have, at some points, been made in the same factories.
It's probably fair to say that very few average riders get anywhere near the limits of the stupidly capable, downhill-orientated, soft compound tyres everyone seems to run these days and if we do, it's usually rider error - lack of skill, poor tyre choice for conditions - rather than any weakness in the tyre.
I'd suggest there's a lot of 'vanity tyre buying' goes on, with people buying tyres that reflect wishful thinking rather than actual riding abilities - I include myself in this. I bet you could swap out say, a Maxxis trail tyre for the equivalent Bontrager and most of us wouldn't be able to tell the difference, until someone told us. At which point we'd all swear that the Maxxis was exponentially better.... 🙂
People running Bontrager and Kenda tyres. Why?
Because I've tried tyres from pretty much every brand selling widely in the UK and the Hellkat has the best combination of carcass weight / damping / durability, and grippy / durable rubber of any I've tried as a front for all year round use.
I also really rated the Bonty SE5 I had as a rear but there's more competition now than there was then.
Michelin Wind Enduro Rear – most conditions, especially more pedally rides
eeesch, I've used a DHR for as long as I can remember and it's about as fast rolling as dragging a house brick but Wild Enduro was like a boat anchor.
I’d suggest there’s a lot of ‘vanity tyre buying’ goes on
Without a doubt, but that's true of most things on this site, go to any flat pedal vs clipless thread (for instance) and by page 2 it's turned into a master class in "progressive jumping" techniques like the whole forum is schralping the gnar like a Yoann Barelli video.
re the Bonty comment, because their range of tyres is incredibly easy to understand, and i found even their Xr4 which is an all round trail tyre, to work actually pretty well in all conditions, likewise their xr3/2 XC tyres have also been great in dry conditions were my mates are all running Minions/Michelins etc
People running Bontrager and Kenda tyres. Why?
Because folks look at the prices of Maxxis and Schwable and mutter the words "**** me, I could get a decent car tyre for that price" (we've all been there, I'm sure) and start looking for less expensive options. For the vast majority of us - riding around the woods in big circles, most modern enduro/DH tyres are overkill and the best offerings by the likes of Kenda, Pirelli, Vittoria, etc etc are equally good for what we need them to do, and £20.00 - or more cheaper.
For some of us, a really good well damped grippy front tyre is an absolute priority, for some of us, not so much