Alps; mtb tyre choice

[Digga]

I've been running single-ply 2.35 Maxxis Minion DH (F & R) tyres on my Nicolai 160mm travel bike and I'm happy with them, but need to get some tyres for my forthcoming alpine trip. Been advised to go dual ply but - on both the Minions and High Rollers - it seems you have a choice of dual ply or UST (tubeless) but not both.

Question is, which to go for? Dual ply or UST?

I'm minded to go up to 2.5 (the bike will take that comfortably).

FWIW my riding skill is best described as enthusiastic/aggressive meets ham-fisted/incompetant.

Any ideas?

[P-Jay]

Do you run tubeless then?

If not I'd go dual ply, get highrollers or Minions, whatever you're used too. I have little experience with tubeless, but I'm sure they have stronger walls than then normal tyres anyway.

And get a set of Swampthings for when it rains, which it will because it's a mud bath (in Morzine / Les gets anyway) they make a hell of a difference, Wetscreams are amazing in really bad mud, but have terrifyingly little grip on woodwork or roots.

[Sarkmeister]

I went with 2.5" dual ply High Rollers front and back last year. Didnt get a single puncture in the week we were there. The grip was very good compared to the part worn Kendas on a bike I hired for 1/2 a day.

[Digga]

I can run tubeless on the rims I have, but currently run with tubes.

I'm guessing that, with dual ply being heavy anyway, it's not worth fussing about the extra weight a tube contributes?

[Janosh]

Go for the UST, you should notice the difference in weight! The bike will handle much better with lighter wheels..

I'm running the 2.5 UST Minion's F&R this year, so far so good, but the season's only just starting so can't give a definitive review yet!

[P-Jay]

Digga said:

I can run tubeless on the rims I have, but currently run with tubes.

I'm guessing that, with dual ply being heavy anyway, it's not worth fussing about the extra weight a tube contributes?

Not really, plus there's no shortage of gravity about so there's little worry about a heavier set up spinning up slower and a whislt it might change direction a (barely noticable) slower, that does mean it should be more stable, which is handy on unfamilar ground.

[a11y_m]

This thread is making me think my current set up isn't the best idea for my Alps trip in a few weeks...

F: single-ply 2.35" High Roller
R: single-ply 2.25" ADvantage

on a 160mm Spicy. I don't go particularly mental on the bike and do ride uphill, so have always shied away from dual-ply due to the weight. But now I'm wondering if I'm taking the correct tyres? We won't be hitting silly DH stuff. I do have a pair of part-worn dual-ply 2.35 Minions, plus a pair of new Conti Rubber Queen 2.2's in my spares box... what should I take?

Am I going to die?

What do folk suggest?

[neil_bolton]

a11y_m said:

This thread is making me think my current set up isn't the best idea for my Alps trip in a few weeks...

F: single-ply 2.35" High Roller
R: single-ply 2.25" ADvantage

on a 160mm Spicy. I don't go particularly mental on the bike and do ride uphill, so have always shied away from dual-ply due to the weight. But now I'm wondering if I'm taking the correct tyres? We won't be hitting silly DH stuff. I do have a pair of part-worn dual-ply 2.35 Minions, plus a pair of new Conti Rubber Queen 2.2's in my spares box... what should I take?

Am I going to die?

What do folk suggest?

If you're in the Alps and it isn't XC you're doing, run Dual Ply.

Trust me.

I'd never ride the Alps with anything less.

I just run Maxxis tyres single ply normally, and then the dual ply versions in the Alps.

[Jimbo.]

Digga said:

I've been running single-ply 2.35 Maxxis Minion DH (F & R) tyres on my Nicolai 160mm travel bike and I'm happy with them, but need to get some tyres for my forthcoming alpine trip. Been advised to go dual ply but - on both the Minions and High Rollers - it seems you have a choice of dual ply or UST (tubeless) but not both.

Question is, which to go for? Dual ply or UST?

I'm minded to go up to 2.5 (the bike will take that comfortably).

FWIW my riding skill is best described as enthusiastic/aggressive meets ham-fisted/incompetant.

Any ideas?

Go big, go strong, or go home! 2.5 Dual Ply in whichever type you prefer...

[shalmaneser]

definitely definitely get dual ply tyres. No question.

Get some DH tubes too. Punctures are a PITA and you want to reduce any chance of getting them (get them you will, though)!

[a11y_m]

neil_bolton said:

If you're in the Alps and it isn't XC you're doing, run Dual Ply.

Trust me.

I'd never ride the Alps with anything less.

I just run Maxxis tyres single ply normally, and then the dual ply versions in the Alps.

Think that's decided then: I'll travel over with the single-ply HR/ADvantage setup (we're stopping enroute in Germany and doing some XC stuff inc the track around the 'Ring), then change to my Minions for Morzine. Just remembered mine are super-tacky too so I'm really gonna die on the ups...

[Digga]

Well, that's telled us Alpine noobs.

I'm getting the message, loud 'n' clear; dual ply.

Thank you PHers.

[shalmaneser]

a11y_m said:

Think that's decided then: I'll travel over with the single-ply HR/ADvantage setup (we're stopping enroute in Germany and doing some XC stuff inc the track around the 'Ring), then change to my Minions for Morzine. Just remembered mine are super-tacky too so I'm really gonna die on the ups...

I ran super tacky on the front and 60a on the back, given that the rear tyre generally wears faster given identical rubber front/rear.

[theboymoon]

neil_bolton said:

a11y_m said:

This thread is making me think my current set up isn't the best idea for my Alps trip in a few weeks...

F: single-ply 2.35" High Roller
R: single-ply 2.25" ADvantage

on a 160mm Spicy. I don't go particularly mental on the bike and do ride uphill, so have always shied away from dual-ply due to the weight. But now I'm wondering if I'm taking the correct tyres? We won't be hitting silly DH stuff. I do have a pair of part-worn dual-ply 2.35 Minions, plus a pair of new Conti Rubber Queen 2.2's in my spares box... what should I take?

Am I going to die?

What do folk suggest?

If you're in the Alps and it isn't XC you're doing, run Dual Ply.

Trust me.

I'd never ride the Alps with anything less.

I just run Maxxis tyres single ply normally, and then the dual ply versions in the Alps.

this.

If its up on lifts and down on trails then dual ply is the way to go. Personal pref is 2.5 Minion FR and H'Roller R but other variations on the theme work very well too.

The difference between a single ply 2.35 minion and its bigger brother is really quite noticable.

[a11y_m]

Digga said:

Well, that's telled us Alpine noobs.

I'm getting the message, loud 'n' clear; dual ply.

Thank you PHers.

Yup, thanks all. I'm certainly taking the dual-plys now. Hoping to pick up some cheap dual-plys for the wife's bike when we're up at Fort William this weekend too...

[mk1fan]

I've run single ply 2.35 High Rollers (tubeless) round Morzine without problems. IIRC I ran them on the Mega too.

Although, that was just because they were on the bike and I couldn't be bothered to change them.