Fast rolling MTB tyres for winter

[Herman Toothrot]

So got Continental Xkings on mt 650b and very, very fast, however on the odd damp muddy bits about at present they don't grip anywhere near as well as my Maxxis High Roller II on my 26" bike - these however are much slower. So with winter approaching and more damp muddy stuff that comes with it anyone got any suggestions as to tyres that offer a good compromises between the Xkings and High Rollers?

[TedMaul]

what compound x-kings do you have? I found the black chilli compound ones a decent blend of speed and grip, but I'm a bit old and fat and not that quick!

[RGambo]

Tried a few, I'll be going for a new set of bontranger mud x this year. There a bit skinny at only 2.0 , but on both 26" and 29" I have found them good all round winter tyre, roots, rocks or mud they just grip, when they do let go they are very progressive. I've mixed between rubber queen, mountain king, and I've used high rollers, none as good as mud x in the wet season. Not too expensive either.
I have found the continentals are always sketchy on the wet rocks .
Oh and they aren't that draggy either, now where near as draggy as high rollers.

Edited by RGambo on Monday 29th September 21:21

[Herman Toothrot]

Oh didn't know they come in different compounds - edit to add checked and they are big standard wired. Reading the continental website I'm wondering what the trail king in black chilli with protection casingwould be like - very expensive though.

I shall have a read about mud x.

Edited by Herman Toothrot on Monday 29th September 23:38

[gazza285]

I don't know, but I've got some Racing Ralph's to try on my 29er.

[RGambo]

gazza285 said:

I don't know, but I've got some Racing Ralph's to try on my 29er.

I have nick named racing Ralph as kill me quick tyres!

[gazza285]

Cool. I like an exciting ride...

What's up with them? I got them free, so nothing to lose.

[Herman Toothrot]

Reading good things about maxxis beavers?

[tjdixon911]

RGambo said:

I have nick named racing Ralph as kill me quick tyres!

I run a Nobby Nick front and Racing Ralph rear on my 29er, seems to work ok for me - I did have Ralph's front and rear but kept loosing the front end in muddy conditions.

[Gren]

tjdixon911 said:

RGambo said:

I have nick named racing Ralph as kill me quick tyres!

I run a Nobby Nick front and Racing Ralph rear on my 29er, seems to work ok for me - I did have Ralph's front and rear but kept loosing the front end in muddy conditions.

Run NN/RR all year round on mine unless it gets seriously muddy. Get the decent Evo versions and they are good tyres, certainly on the rooty, loamy natural trails I ride.

[richardxjr]

Herman Toothrot said:

Reading good things about maxxis beavers?

My riding mate uses these (29er). Supposed to be a wet tyre but he just left his on, fast and grippy everywhere.

[RGambo]

gazza285 said:

Cool. I like an exciting ride...

What's up with them? I got them free, so nothing to lose.

They are a fast cross country tyres. Really good on fast hardpack stuff, but for welsh trails they just dont have enough depth of tread, well for me anyway. I kept tucking the front, which I don't like at all. I also found the sidewalls to be really weak and I kept cutting them, Nobby nicks are much more durable trail tyre. Infact I do like nobby nicks, but they are quite expensive. Nobby front ralph rear would be a pretty good summner combo for smooth trails.

[Stiggolas]

I've found Schwalbe Smart Sams roll really well. They seem to be quite narrow for a 2.1". The central portion of the tread is pretty much continuous. Seem ok in light mud too but wash out a bit on gravel

[Zoon]

Stiggolas said:

I've found Schwalbe Smart Sams roll really well. They seem to be quite narrow for a 2.1". The central portion of the tread is pretty much continuous. Seem ok in light mud too but wash out a bit on gravel

Agreed. Decent tyres for the mixed riding that I do.

[PomBstard]

Maxxis Larsen TT or Kenda Small Block 8? Have used both with a Nobby Nic up front, and suit my 26FS well. Not great when it gets boggy but roll well.

[Herman Toothrot]

Did so much reading and getting so unsure of choices I went cheap, continental Mountain Kings wire bead el cheapo £22 from Wiggle for a pair. I've just come back from 3 days riding in the Quantocks and I took the front off after the 1st day and put the old Maxxis High Roller back on, the rear was fine though. For £11 a tyre they are great, but I found wet roots showed the compound up compared to the Maxxis. They are surprisingly noisy on tarmac as well very buzzy although did seem to roll well, its noticable how rounder the tread profile is compared to the square Maxxis. I would be interested to try the Protection / Chilli compound but at £90 a pair,...

[Zoon]

Herman Toothrot said:

I would be interested to try the Protection / Chilli compound but at £90 a pair,...

Ouch!

[Gren]

Herman Toothrot said:

..... I would be interested to try the Protection / Chilli compound but at £90 a pair,...

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/mountain-king-i...

Always shop here for my tyres. 33 euros for folding, protection, Black Chilli Mountain Kings

Edited by Gren on Monday 13th October 13:58

[vwsurfbum]

Gren said:

Herman Toothrot said:

..... I would be interested to try the Protection / Chilli compound but at £90 a pair,...

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/mountain-king-i...

Always shop here for my tyres. 33 euros for folding, protection, Black Chilli Mountain Kings

Edited by Gren on Monday 13th October 13:58

Exactly this,
Rubber queen/trail king up front and Mountain King out back, pretty much a good all year round set up unless your racing.

[TedMaul]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/continental/x-... £30 each, I have these on my Kona Blast but have these http://www.evanscycles.com/products/continental/mo... on the sight2, impressed with both for the application

Have been recommended Hans Dampf too but have not seen them at a sensible price