MTB mud tyres non lethal on rocks?

MTB mud tyres non lethal on rocks?

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Discussion

numtumfutunch

Original Poster:

4,723 posts

138 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
quotequote all

Ive just switched to a tubeless Bontrager Mud X on the front which is great in the gloop but offers absolutely no grip or confidence over wet tarmac/rocks/roots etc

In fact its dammed lethal in these conditions

Mud used to scare me - now it doesnt, but Ive just shifted my fear to other types of terrain

What mud tyres are you lot using with a bit of cross over to the above?

Cheers

yellowjack

17,078 posts

166 months

Saturday 22nd November 2014
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Not tubeless at the moment, but I'm using Maxxis Beavers (26" x 2.00").

I don't ride rocks at all, but there are LOTS of wet roots, and adverse camber ones at that, on the natural single track that I ride regularly.

The rear will slide out (controllably) on some of the bigger roots that are diagonally across the trails, but no 'squeaky bum' moments at all. And they are utterly brilliant in the mud, so I no linger suffer with complete traction loss, followed by foot in puddle moments like I used to. Oh, and they shed mud like nothing I've ever used before, so the tread is always clear and ready to bite into the next section. As a bonus, they're also pretty free-rolling in dry conditions.

I bought them from these guys... http://nextdaytyres.co.uk/search.aspx/TYRES-ALL ...and the pricing and service are absolutely first class. There are a couple of European sites that can beat them on prices (just), but when they say "next day" they really do mean it, and their stock levels seem accurately reflected on the site in real time.

paulmon

2,138 posts

241 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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Bonty XR4 Team Issue are a good all round tyre for Autumn/Winter.

anonymous-user

54 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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Really like maxxis ignitors, the 62a compound has great grip on wet roots and rocks anywhere between 40-50 psi depending upon personal preference

jshell

11,006 posts

205 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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Draggy, but I use a High Roller on the front as I've found nothing that gives me so much confidence.

numtumfutunch

Original Poster:

4,723 posts

138 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
jshell said:
Draggy, but I use a High Roller on the front as I've found nothing that gives me so much confidence.
Hmmmm, it was a High Roller I took off the front for the mud tyre

Whilst I really rated the HR it was just too sketchy to give any confidence in the gloop, and theres plenty on the descents round here at the moment

Now I seem to have swapped great mud performance for near death experiences on other types of terrain frown

Mind you Ive just been looking at the High Roller II EXO which is reassuringly more expensive than the 2.35 one I took off my bike

Anyone use the 2.4 EXO???



jshell

11,006 posts

205 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
quotequote all
numtumfutunch said:
jshell said:
Draggy, but I use a High Roller on the front as I've found nothing that gives me so much confidence.
Hmmmm, it was a High Roller I took off the front for the mud tyre

Whilst I really rated the HR it was just too sketchy to give any confidence in the gloop, and theres plenty on the descents round here at the moment

Now I seem to have swapped great mud performance for near death experiences on other types of terrain frown

Mind you Ive just been looking at the High Roller II EXO which is reassuringly more expensive than the 2.35 one I took off my bike

Anyone use the 2.4 EXO???
I have an HR front and an Ardent rear, for that tail-out experience! rofl

dudleybloke

19,826 posts

186 months

Sunday 23rd November 2014
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vwsurfbum

895 posts

211 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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I'm happy with a Rubberqueen on the front (also tubeless)

TheAllSeeingPie

865 posts

135 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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vwsurfbum said:
I'm happy with a Rubberqueen on the front (also tubeless)
Same. Either Rubber Queens or Bonty XR4.

P-Jay

10,565 posts

191 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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Rubber Queens, or Trail Kings as they're called now are pretty good in mud, on rock, hard-pack great all-rounder although IMO High Rollers are miles ahead when it's dry.

I'd just be sure to get the Black Chilli ones, the OE ones (which I believe the tubeless ready ones are, or were?) are utter crap lookalikes made in the far east under licence.

The downsides with them is they're lightly built so you need to run a decent pressure to stop them squirming in the corners or ripping - so I tend to use them for natural trails but switch to High Rollers for the Trail Centres and BPW where the speeds are higher - if I wanted one tyre to rule them all I'd go with Minion Fronts front and rear, they don't spin up like the Conti's but they're not bad and they're better on the wet stuff then High Rollers.

missing the VR6

2,323 posts

189 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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I've run tubeless Black Chilli compound Conti Rubber Queens and now Trail Kings for nearly 3 years as an all year round wheel and they've been amazing. I just can't be bothered to change tyres depending on season, and the Conti's allow for me being lazy so I like them a lot.

As for there quality on rocks I did an uplift day at Antur Stiniog last November and on the blue & red (nowhere near balls, let alone talent for the blacks) trails which are quite rocky in parts the bike was fantastic.

jshell

11,006 posts

205 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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I hope that black chilli comound is a fantastic evolution coz all of my best 'offs' were on Conti's! I would take a lot to get me back on them.

P-Jay

10,565 posts

191 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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jshell said:
I hope that black chilli comound is a fantastic evolution coz all of my best 'offs' were on Conti's! I would take a lot to get me back on them.
It's not that new, but it's a complete game changer on Conti's - by using witchcraft they've managed to make them more grippy, faster rolling and longer lasting than the OE ones, which might just have something to do with the OE ones being complete crap.

If cost was ever an indication - OE Rubber Queens can be bought for as little as £12 each, Black Chilli ones are £40 - £50 each, and aside from the rubber used they're identical.

jshell

11,006 posts

205 months

Monday 24th November 2014
quotequote all
P-Jay said:
jshell said:
I hope that black chilli comound is a fantastic evolution coz all of my best 'offs' were on Conti's! I would take a lot to get me back on them.
It's not that new, but it's a complete game changer on Conti's - by using witchcraft they've managed to make them more grippy, faster rolling and longer lasting than the OE ones, which might just have something to do with the OE ones being complete crap.

If cost was ever an indication - OE Rubber Queens can be bought for as little as £12 each, Black Chilli ones are £40 - £50 each, and aside from the rubber used they're identical.
Hmm, maybe back on the menu then, cheers! The older ones were awe-inspiringly dangerous.

TheAllSeeingPie

865 posts

135 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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jshell said:
Hmm, maybe back on the menu then, cheers! The older ones were awe-inspiringly dangerous.
They have also changed tread patterns on the kings and queens in the last few years. More sipes and stiffer side lugs means they hook up better in all conditions.

MiseryStreak

2,929 posts

207 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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These are supposed to be good in mixed conditions including wet rock:

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/compone...

I'm might have to get a set for the winter as I'm still running Racing Ralph's and they're lethal in this filth.

joema

2,648 posts

179 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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If it's wet lower your pressures and think differently about how to ride things by taking straight lines as much as you can.
Also let your wheels roll.

Maxxis have a tyre coming out called the shorty that should be pretty useful

vwsurfbum

895 posts

211 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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joema said:
If it's wet lower your pressures and think differently about how to ride things by taking straight lines as much as you can.
Also let your wheels roll.

Maxxis have a tyre coming out called the shorty that should be pretty useful
Looked at the shorty last week at surrey hills, big ass chunky tyre but the guy riding iit said it rolled quite well, which surprises me when you see it.
http://nextdaytyres.co.uk/search.aspx?search=short...