Tyre recommendations - South Downs Way

[Kermit power]

I'm planning to ride the South Downs Way in the summer. From what I understand of it, it seems to be a mix of chalk and flint, and being an English summer, I've got no particular expectation of it being dry!

So... What sort of tyres would people recommend for a 26" steel Hardtail that's not likely to get shredded by the flint, but light enough to not be too much of a pain going up hill.

[Bobley]

I'd just change the rear to something like a Specialized Fast Trak, Schwalbe Racing Ralph or a Maxxis Crossmark. Fairly fast rolling but still a decent amount of grip. Sadly, flint will rip anything apart so take your old tyre and 2 tubes too. Sticking with a more grr type front MTB tyre wont slow you that much.

[duff]

Racing Ralph will be too flimsy, I cut mine on it's first outing on the sdw. Same thing happened with an Onza Canis, first ride and a Spec purgatory grid on a stony path in the alps - perhaps I'm just unlucky. I think you need a tough, highish volume tyre and run lower pressures, sounds counter intuitive for a long XC ride but it'll be more comfy on a hard tail and less likely to get torn by Flint - that's what I'll be trying anyway.

Only UST tyre that's been ok on the sdw for me was a Crossmark lust but I couldn't find any I the size I wanted.

[Kermit power]

That's a good point from duff... I'm not currently running this bike tubeless, but do have that option with the wheels I've got fitted to it.

Any make considered except Schwalbe, as their stupid bloody tyre names hit me like nails down s blackboard, even though the frame I'll be fitting them to is a Cove Handjob!

[richardxjr]

Local here.

Tubeless*, fast rolling, not Schwalbe

I use Geax AKA on the XCFS and Ground Control F Fast Track R on the SS

Bring a spot of chain lube, last year when I rode it one day it was (sopping) wet in the Meon Valley, then had 50 miles of squeaking chain!



* Actually, if not tubeless, bung some Panaracer Flataway tape in, it's brilliant stuff.

[Daveyraveygravey]

I was recommended Maxxis Beaver, 2.1 at the front and 1.8 at the back. I then bought Spesh Ground Control 2.1 both ends (don't ask me why!) and they seem ok so far but have only done a couple of rides so can't really say.

[richardxjr]

Beavers are fantastic in the wet! My mate runs them all year actually, good all rounder in 29er flavour anyway.

[Kermit power]

richardxjr said:

Beavers are fantastic in the wet! My mate runs them all year actually, good all rounder in 29er flavour anyway.

Well... Who doesn't like a wet beaver??

[trashbat]

I did it three times on Panaracer XC Fire Pros, which are nearly as old a design as me. Sometimes I got a handful of punctures, sometimes none. IMO to guard against shards of flint, the newer the better, at least once worn in a little.

[SoliD]

trashbat said:

I did it three times on Panaracer XC Fire Pros, which are nearly as old a design as me. Sometimes I got a handful of punctures, sometimes none. IMO to guard against shards of flint, the newer the better, at least once worn in a little.

Used these and Nobby Nics with no problems as well as the standard conti mountain or speed kings or my Boardman HT Pro, had a few punctures, but par for the course when you're doing 100 miles.

[Kermit power]

This is slightly more urgent now, as I managed to tear a sidewall this morning on my old Panaracer Trailrakers.

Why does there have to be so much choice in MTB tyres?!?!?!

[richardxjr]

^ Get some Spesh's. Good, cheap, grip, fit easily, even easy tubeless.

Ground control each end will be fine.

[Matt Sketch]

Tyres I’ve used on it so far

Racing Ralphs – full distance – Summer - 0 punctures
Nobbly Nics – 36 miles – Winter - 4 punctures

My riding partner on the same trips

Ground Control – full distance – Summer - 1 puncture
Ground Control – 36 miles – Winter - 4 punctures

Luck plays a massive part in it really