Hi all

So have been running Ikon Exo 2.2’s on Santa Cruz Tallboy and I’m considering something a bit more grippy for the front to run during autumn winter in the chilterns.. any recommendations? Still wanting a fast-ish tyre or should I just man up and run the Ikon’s throughout?

Thanks!

🙂

Have a specialized ground control on the front (2.3) and a fastrak (2.2) on the rear. Very impressed with the grip from both, cheaper than maxxis as well (and made by the same people). No problem going tubeless either.

Have a ground control on my HT, but reckon the WTB Vigilante on my FS is grippier, could all be in my head though, but I’ve really taken to the WTB range.

I run the Ikon rear and a Mountain King in black chilli on the front. Find it an excellent combo. In winter I will swap the Ikon for a Maxxis Beaver out back but only if it gets proper Welsh winter minging.

Ardent 2.4 front paired up with my Ikon 2.2 rear if I want some more grip than both Ikons.

The Ardent Race is worth a look. The love child of the Ikon and Ardent, and I think it’s great front tyre to an Ikon rear.

EDIT – you can also stick it on the rear, with something more grippy again up front, if you feel the need to go more ‘Enduro’

I run Rocket Ron 2.25 with my Ikon rear.
This is my summer race combo.
Lighter than most and I am sure will do the job well right into Autumn.

I’m running a ‘normal’ (60a? Compound) High Roller 2 on the front of my XC 29er, and find this gives a good balance of grip, plus a nice edge to lean the tyre onto. On my bigger bike (Tallbot LTc) I’m running an Ardent 2.2 rear, High Roller 3c front – there is a bit more grip on wet rock and roots, but the extra drag is noticeable.

One of my favourite tyres is the Minion DHF in the ordinary Maxxpro 60a compound – although I’ve never tried the 29er version. In the smaller wheel sizes, I found it gave a really good balance of rolling speed and grip – and I reckon it’s a bit less draggy than a high roller.

I’ve been running Ardent Race up front with an Ikon the back. They have been great, but I won’t be using them once winter comes(also Chilterns).

I run Minion DHF up front and Ikon rear, great combo for my hardtail 😀

More recently I’ve been running a Hans Dampf, but as the edges have gone I’m about to try a WTB Vigilante, which was excellent as a rear tyre on a recent Alps trip and is showing barely any wear.