High Roller 2.1 tyre pressures

[JaseB]

Was out last night and apart from getting drenched and realising crud guards aren't a bad thing I'm thinking I may have too much air in my tyres.

I'm running 2.1 tubeless Maxxis High Rollers front and rear with 40psi in both and it ain't very confidence inspiring at the front and pretty slippy at the rear! I will be experimenting obviously but has anyone got thoughts on what would be a good starting point?!

That and I'm tempted to turn the rear tyre around for better grip, anyone tried similar?

Ta

[budgie smuggler]

The trick with High Rollers is to lean right over into corners to make the side knobblies bite into the ground. I run mine about 30PSI but that's a 2.3. I'd be running a 2.1 at about 34 to avoid snakebites. I tend to use a Minion on the front rather than a HR, as I find the break away a bit more predictable...

[P-Jay]

JaseB said:

Was out last night and apart from getting drenched and realising crud guards aren't a bad thing I'm thinking I may have too much air in my tyres.

I'm running 2.1 tubeless Maxxis High Rollers front and rear with 40psi in both and it ain't very confidence inspiring at the front and pretty slippy at the rear! I will be experimenting obviously but has anyone got thoughts on what would be a good starting point?!

That and I'm tempted to turn the rear tyre around for better grip, anyone tried similar?

Ta

There's no right answer to pressures, I run about 30ish on the front, 35ish on the back, but I run 2.35's. Try going down to 35psi and see how it feels.

As for turning them around... because of the ramped design the middle of the tyre it's designed to roll fast whislt still having good grip when braking, even though they're well regarded trail/xc tyre, they're really a DH tyre made smaller. Swich them around and you're get an advantage climbing on steep mud as the back of the ramps will bite a little better, but they'll roll less freely and have a lot less grip when braking - not a good place to be.

If you're finding yourself getting a lot of wheel slip climbing, try a more more all-rounder like an AdVantage, Ardent or Crossmark (sorry I'm a Maxxis fan) or if you're in slppery mud all day something like a Swampthing. Other brands are available.

[MC Bodge]

I've currently got Minion Front, High Roller Rear (2.35"s)for me on my full susser.

I had a 2.1 HR on the rear of my hardtail, but the volume was far too small for my riding locations. I found that I needed to pump it up rock hard to avoid hitting the rim on rocks at slow speed or pinch-flats when going faster.

I sold it after about 3 rides.

Tyres like this do benefit from a more aggressive cornering style.

I've not turned the tyre around, but it could be worth a go for more traction. It might roll less easily until the edges wear down (quite quickly?)

Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 19th April 13:54

[rhinochopig]

At the moment the weather has created some very very slippery conditions - it may just be slippery and nothing to do with the pressure. Weeks of baking sun followed by torrential rain creates a greasy top layer that very few AM tyres will grip with any confidence. I've found everything from XC race tyres to AM to DH tyres all struggling for grip over the last couple of weeks.

Just makes sure you ride relaxed so the bike can slide about under you, and keep pedalling through the slippery stuff.

[JaseB]

Thanks peeps, forgot to say the other thing I was toying with was a different front tyre, Minion being top of the list after a quick romp round the net for reviews.

UST Minions come on at a narrow 2.5 I believe, would that be mismatched by a 2.1 rear HR?

Failing that like has been mentioned, apply rule 5 and chuck it in a bit more I guess...

[P-Jay]

JaseB said:

Thanks peeps, forgot to say the other thing I was toying with was a different front tyre, Minion being top of the list after a quick romp round the net for reviews.

UST Minions come on at a narrow 2.5 I believe, would that be mismatched by a 2.1 rear HR?

Failing that like has been mentioned, apply rule 5 and chuck it in a bit more I guess...

According to the Maxxis site they don't make a Minon in UST, and yes a 2.5 front (which will be a very heavy DH spec tyre) and a 2.1 would be beyond mismatched.

http://www.maxxis.com/Bicycle/Mountain.aspx

This will let you know what they're making right now, but not all flavours are available in the UK and there might be some tyres on the shelves that they don't make anymore.

[MC Bodge]

JaseB said:

arrow 2.5 I believe, would that be mismatched by a 2.1 rear HR?

The 2.1" is tiny, the 2.5" is quite big.

[Digga]

JaseB said:

I'm running 2.1 tubeless Maxxis High Rollers front and rear with 40psi in both

IMHO 40psi is a bit high for 'serious' ragging. Fine for the lycra louts on a road-style xc-blatt, but not for more technical mtbing.

I'd say low to mid 30's.

Also, FWIW, Maxxis tyres do seem to come up a bit narrower on the smaller sections than some other makes - Specialized for example.

[MC Bodge]

I usually like to run my tyres at around 25psi, give or take dependent upon terrain.


2.1" HRs were far too small for that kind of pressure on my rocky, local tails.

[JaseB]

Figured a 2.5 and 2.1 might be a bit of a stretch, I'll drop the pressures and see how I get on.

It's confidence that the front isn't going to wash out that I'm after, a sliding back wheel doesn't worry me.

Any thoughts on what front tyre might pair up best with a 2.1 HR rear?