"High Rollers. Changing them every season seems nuts to me"
The 2.35" ones will cope with sloppy mud, but they're so much harder work to pedal through than a mud tyre because of the extra width. The ramps don't help them out much for pedalling
I reckon If I had to have just one, It'd be Bontrager ACX TR (55/62a) 2.2"s. A touch small volume, but cope with mud almost as well as mud X's (but bigger), roll pretty well, grip pretty well and 55a corner knobbles corner okay
Theres one big drawback though, Bontrager has pulled them from their lineup! Barstewards
I like to change tyres though so my current 'schedule' is something like:
FS Winter slop: Bontrager ACX (55/62a) 2.2"
HT Winter slop: Bontrager Mud X (55/62a) 2.0"
FS 'Summer': Kenda Nevegal (50/60a)2.1"
HT 'Summer': Maxxis Crossmark 70a 2.1"
FS Alps: Maxxis High Roller 60a (single ply wire) 2.5"
FS Beefier than normal: Maxxis Advantage 60a 2.25"
FS Autumnal/Spring Transitional Conditions, but slighly beefy: Maxxis High Roller 60a 2.35"
I'd like to try some 2.35" (folding) 60a Minions in place of the folding HRs, and some lower profile tyres for drier 'summer' conditions, maybe some Michelin Dry2 XC 2.15", and 2.5" 60a single ply wire Minions in place of the 2.5" HRs, or maybe Specialized 2.3" Clutch SX (45/50a) up front, or a 2.35" 50a Kenda Nevegal or Blue Groove. Ooh I could try 2.3" (55/65a) Specialized Eskars in place of the single compound Advantages too ..
Theres just so many to try ..