27.5 mountain bike tyres

[eggchaser1987]

I have just got my first 27.5 bike, all the other mountain bikes have been 26", and I am struggling with the stock tyres they have on it, sliding all over the place and can't get any grip.

Maxxis Ardent EXO TR 27.5x2.25" tyres are what it came with.

Can anyone recommend a good tyre that performs well in the mud but isn't too expensive.

Thanks all

[R1gtr]

If you go full on mud tyre you will be slow everywhere apart from in deep mud. You need a decent all rounder and the go to choice for many is Schwalbe Hans Dampf, shop around for prices and you want different compounds for front and back.
If money is tight go on to PlanetX and look at the On-one Smorgasbord tyre, cheap as chips, I had them on my last bike and loved them, a great cheap all rounder.

At the moment I am running Continental Trail King 2.2 RS black chilli and they never skipped a beat during last weekends Strathpuffer 24hr race, that was in sharp rock and thick thick mud. If you go for these make sure you get the black chilli compound ( quite expensive) as the lesser compounds are rubbish, difference is night and day.

Also check your pressures, unless you are a huge fatty or riding harsh rocky sections, I reckon about 30 psi is more than enough

[eggchaser1987]

Thanks R1, a few to have a look at there and give them a go.

Will check the pressures but think they are both on or around 27psi.

[Don1]

I'm running Maxxis High Roller 2 as a good all-weather tyre.

[Herman Toothrot]

Don1 said:

I'm running Maxxis High Roller 2 as a good all-weather tyre.

These have been what i've been using for years; well High Roller before the 2 came out. Its a good all round tyre. Recently in the mud I've felt I could do with a bit more grip and have been trying Schwalbe Nobby Nic's. They have more grip than the High Rollers and seem to roll just as well, puncture resistance isn't as good though, I have had to bin one tyre as a flint cut it, the High rollers seem far more durable.

[Gilhooligan]

I'm currently using Schwalbe Magic Mary on my first 650b bike. They're rather epic. Plenty of grip and roll pretty well (although compared to my previous 26" bike, any tyre probably would feel fast ha).

[eggchaser1987]

Thanks all. A few more to have a look at.

I have just noticed that the do the Michelin Wild Rock'R2 in 27.5, I have been using these on my 26" and got on with them so by the looks of it, it's a try and see!

[snorkel sucker]

Tyres are always a compromise.

An Ardent should be ok for the rear but will struggle in mud/slop. On hardpack/trail centre/general use they should be fine.

For the front, Magic Mary, Maxxis Shorty are both good options. Minion DHR II, High Roller, Rock Razor are all good for the rear, with varying degrees of grip/slip.

It's very much about how you like to ride, where you ride and what you are willing to compromise on. If you want/need something resolutely sure footed, you will compromise on rolling resistance. And vice versa.

[Silver940]

Are you running the Ardent tubeless?

[Craikeybaby]

What sort of riding do you do?

At this time of year I mainly ride trail centres, so can get away with Continental X Kings, if I was riding anywhere muddier I'd probably switch to Trail Kings.

As per the earlier post there is a difference in compounds, I'm currently using the black chilli compound tyres, which look exactly the same as the cheap OEM X kings supplied with my bike, but are much grippier.