MTB Top Tyres - Wadda You Guys Rate ???
Discussion
I tend to run different tyres front and back.
I run a continental vertical 2.3 folder on the front and a Panaracer fire xc pro folding 2.1 on the rear and so far they have dealt with every condition very well so far and I find they are the perfect balance between rolling very well and also having good grip.
I run a continental vertical 2.3 folder on the front and a Panaracer fire xc pro folding 2.1 on the rear and so far they have dealt with every condition very well so far and I find they are the perfect balance between rolling very well and also having good grip.
Pupp said:
All I can add to the party is don't go for a combination of Schwalbe Nobby Nic and Racing Ralph if any of your riding includes even a hint of clayey mud...
I use this setup for 4X and it works really well. However as mentioned above theyre not great in very muddy conditions and also have thin sidewalls to save weight.Gnarlybluesurf said:
Looking for some new tyres to go on a Boardman FS Team.
Keen to be pucture proof and relatively light... not as keen on tubeless as not as familiar with them unless this is the only way to go.
Keen to hear what you guys find give best grip, braking etc.
Cheers for any advice.
Don't they come with conti speed king 2.1s? That's a good all round tyre, didn't you like it?Keen to be pucture proof and relatively light... not as keen on tubeless as not as familiar with them unless this is the only way to go.
Keen to hear what you guys find give best grip, braking etc.
Cheers for any advice.
Possibly not the best for winter muddy conditions though, how about a Panaracer trailraker?
Edited by el stovey on Tuesday 5th October 10:56
Currently riding on Kenda Tomac Nevegal DTC 2.1 but i'm slightly concerned about durability given both myself and a mate have suffered side wall hernia's in consecutive rides. (Mate on Tomac Blue Groove) Anyone else had problems?
I did mine coming down Helvellyn so very rocky and almost acceptable, mates was on the wall at Afan on Sat. Makes for an expensive ride trashing £25 worth of new tyre.
Previously i've used PR Trailrakers on a more XC bike and got on well with them.
Although given my rims are tubeless ready i'm half tempted to give it a go next time i change..... it's all new to me though so not sure if it worth the hassle
I did mine coming down Helvellyn so very rocky and almost acceptable, mates was on the wall at Afan on Sat. Makes for an expensive ride trashing £25 worth of new tyre.
Previously i've used PR Trailrakers on a more XC bike and got on well with them.
Although given my rims are tubeless ready i'm half tempted to give it a go next time i change..... it's all new to me though so not sure if it worth the hassle
I put Mountain King 2.2 Protections on my Boardman (FS Pro) before it went anywhere. There is so much wild blackberry in Essex you wouldn't make a couple of miles on the stock Speed Kings.
The MKs work really well. They are light (so are very fast), they don't clog, the Black Chilli rubber is super grippy and the Protection system means I can ride down a track carpeted in thorn branches and not even have to think about them. Users of other tyres would be carrying their bikes. I have had no punctures using these in two years now (also fitted to previous bike).
Not cheap but worth every penny.
Perhaps I'm getting old but the Schwalbe silly names thing means I wouldn't buy them if they were the best tyres ever and were £1 each. The names look one step up from a peg holding a playing card in the spokes.
The MKs work really well. They are light (so are very fast), they don't clog, the Black Chilli rubber is super grippy and the Protection system means I can ride down a track carpeted in thorn branches and not even have to think about them. Users of other tyres would be carrying their bikes. I have had no punctures using these in two years now (also fitted to previous bike).
Not cheap but worth every penny.
Perhaps I'm getting old but the Schwalbe silly names thing means I wouldn't buy them if they were the best tyres ever and were £1 each. The names look one step up from a peg holding a playing card in the spokes.
Thank for advice so far though obviously there's not one clear answer.... The mountain king 2.2's seem to get bad reviews off everyone else...
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/...
The reason for the change is that the others have worn through...
So obviously larger tyre on the front than back but any others?
Roman, Pablo.... Etc
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/...
The reason for the change is that the others have worn through...
So obviously larger tyre on the front than back but any others?
Roman, Pablo.... Etc
el stovey said:
I think there's a massive difference in opinion where off road tyres are concerned as people all ride in different ways and on a variety of different surfaces. Two people may even disagree with the same tyres on the same surface as they like a bike to handle in different ways.
Ain't that the truth. I just really lament the passing of 1.5inch Conti Cross Countries... used them all year round, fast rolling, grippy, non-clogging and reasonably resistant to pinch flats with 50psi in...Bring 'em back!! 
As someone who has had had most of the main tyres on bikes at one time or another (at least it seems that way). Just my views:
For all round: Panaracer Fire XC. Design is getting on a bit, but still the best for fit and forget in my opinion. Much preferred to Nevegal / Blue Groove for me (although I like the Nevegal as a front tyre).
Best winter: Bontrager Mud X. With these you can ride in the mud and wet just like you ride in summer: you just ride through mud / over wet roots with no drama - even deep snow and ice is a non event if you keep things smooth. The rolling resistance is low when you hit tarmac, and they are light. Really opened my eyes to what a difference a tyre can make.
Summer: I like Panaracer Razer MX (the XC ones are a nightmare though!) or, Small Block 8 on the rear and something like a Nevagal on the front.
For bigger terrain (e.g. Alps / eroded peak district & lakes rocky trails): Panaracer Rampage. Loads of confidence / grip but roll and climb well for a chunky 2.35.
For all round: Panaracer Fire XC. Design is getting on a bit, but still the best for fit and forget in my opinion. Much preferred to Nevegal / Blue Groove for me (although I like the Nevegal as a front tyre).
Best winter: Bontrager Mud X. With these you can ride in the mud and wet just like you ride in summer: you just ride through mud / over wet roots with no drama - even deep snow and ice is a non event if you keep things smooth. The rolling resistance is low when you hit tarmac, and they are light. Really opened my eyes to what a difference a tyre can make.
Summer: I like Panaracer Razer MX (the XC ones are a nightmare though!) or, Small Block 8 on the rear and something like a Nevagal on the front.
For bigger terrain (e.g. Alps / eroded peak district & lakes rocky trails): Panaracer Rampage. Loads of confidence / grip but roll and climb well for a chunky 2.35.
mybrainhurts said:
Wadda...?
That would be "what do" in Queens... Any advice now that it's more clear??Thanks for the great contributions so far... Totally appreciate everyones riding is a little different...
Guess I'm also asking what's best avoiding as much as anything as don't fancy dropping 50-100 notes on a set of "punctureprone gripalittles'...
I don't have this grip problem in the mud. I have previously ridden with very chunky tyres thinking they would be good in mud and they are until the clog, which they do very quickly.
MKs are best at 45-55psi which may be where some people are going wrong. They are dreadful at 30psi and people migrating from other makes, used to very stiff sidewalls, wouldn't know this. Most other brands need you to ride at low pressures to get any life out of the tyre. A soft MK wants to float on the surface of the mud rather than cut through it and this is due to its thin carcass design. Pump them up, use the soft Black Chilli tread like football boot studs and they work brilliantly.
I haven't tried every brand but think MKs are the best I have ridden.
MKs are best at 45-55psi which may be where some people are going wrong. They are dreadful at 30psi and people migrating from other makes, used to very stiff sidewalls, wouldn't know this. Most other brands need you to ride at low pressures to get any life out of the tyre. A soft MK wants to float on the surface of the mud rather than cut through it and this is due to its thin carcass design. Pump them up, use the soft Black Chilli tread like football boot studs and they work brilliantly.
I haven't tried every brand but think MKs are the best I have ridden.
Tubeless really is the way to go, I have just changed over and it makes so much difference both to weight and performance/grip. My tyres are now much more flexible and move with the twists and turns, add that to 'No Punctures' and it really is a no brainer.
Ok it takes a bit of investment and an initial bit of set up but, it really is quite easy to do if you get the right kit.
Ok it takes a bit of investment and an initial bit of set up but, it really is quite easy to do if you get the right kit.
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