Which MTB tyres
Discussion
I'd go for a Conti Rubber Queen 2.2 f/r if you want to same a couple of quid you can get Taiwanese OE ones for £10-£15 but only use them on the rear - you'll want the proper German made Black Chilli ones on the front.
They roll a whole lot faster than Minions or High Rollers and have nearly as much grip and they're very light - the downside it's the sidewalls are weak, very weak so you need to keep an eye on pressure - too low and you'll wear out the sidewalls in a few rides.
I've just fitted my usual High Rollers ready for my Alps trip after killing my Rubber Queens over the last year, they were brilliant at Bike Park Wales, but they're a drag at the Trail Centres.
They roll a whole lot faster than Minions or High Rollers and have nearly as much grip and they're very light - the downside it's the sidewalls are weak, very weak so you need to keep an eye on pressure - too low and you'll wear out the sidewalls in a few rides.
I've just fitted my usual High Rollers ready for my Alps trip after killing my Rubber Queens over the last year, they were brilliant at Bike Park Wales, but they're a drag at the Trail Centres.
Whatever you buy, make sure it's the £40 folding version (& black chilli if Conti) not the £20 OE plastic rubbish with the same name.
Or diss the brands and go with PX Chunky Monkey & Smorgasbord which are made for them by Maxxis.
Awesome tyres for the (little) money. Eckso sidewall protection and sticky (50a/42a) compounds.
CM Trail Extreme up front ideally, but they're out of stock for ever it seems, so either a CM Enduro (wide though) or Smorg Trail Extreme up front, Smorg Enduro out back.
A bit heavy if you're doing a *lot* of climbing, but I'll happily ride 4hrs XC with them on the South Downs.
And that's twice today I've bigged up PX own brand tyres, I don't work for them honest!
Or diss the brands and go with PX Chunky Monkey & Smorgasbord which are made for them by Maxxis.
Awesome tyres for the (little) money. Eckso sidewall protection and sticky (50a/42a) compounds.
CM Trail Extreme up front ideally, but they're out of stock for ever it seems, so either a CM Enduro (wide though) or Smorg Trail Extreme up front, Smorg Enduro out back.
A bit heavy if you're doing a *lot* of climbing, but I'll happily ride 4hrs XC with them on the South Downs.
And that's twice today I've bigged up PX own brand tyres, I don't work for them honest!
Freakuk said:
Google throws up a few, any thoughts on these...
Maxxis High Roller II 3C
Continental Trail King Protection
I'm veering towards the Conti's at the moment unless someone has some horror stories
I've just realised that Conti have renamed Rubber Queens - Trail King, less S&M sounding I guess - if the 'protection' bit means stronger side-walls I'd say they'd be perfect - but as above "Black Chilli" is the bit you want - huge difference. Maxxis High Roller II 3C
Continental Trail King Protection
I'm veering towards the Conti's at the moment unless someone has some horror stories
HR2's are draggy but very grippy, better suited to Bike Parks / Alps / DH runs etc than Trail Centres IMO - they work, but aren't ideal.
for summer and for when the ground is drier i would opt for maxxis minion DHF (front obviously) and maxxis high roller 2 for rear. i would also opt for 2.5 front and 2.3 rear. possibly slightly overkill for here but it's a great combination.
for winter and muddy conditions i would probably opt for straight hobby nics, but no doubt you will get 1000 answers from 1000 people. hans damp seem to be a popular option as well.
for winter and muddy conditions i would probably opt for straight hobby nics, but no doubt you will get 1000 answers from 1000 people. hans damp seem to be a popular option as well.
My Orange 5 came with Continental Rubber Quuen Black Chilli compounds and they've been excellent, been to the Alps, plenty of UK trail centres and did an uplift day at Antur Stiniog (just the blue run mind!!) They were 2 years old, the only reason I changed them is I landed a jump terribly and bent the tyre carcas and the front had a couple of punctures which to be fair the Tubless stuff did it's job I just thought I'd change both fron and back at the same time. Got the Trail Kings now, been about 3 months and they seem just as good as the Rubber Queens.
Conti x-king on a race-sport carcass in black chilli compound are the best all round tyre. Very light, good grip, and roll fantastically well. They only negative is if you need to keep the PSI fairly high if you're a heavy rider as the side-walls can split before the tread wears out if they're subject to a lot of deformation due to running low pressures.
rufusruffcutt said:
Another vote for Rubber Queens / Trail King here.
I had these on my bike - RQ up front and TK on the rear (i think)Some slighly sideways landings had them warp quite badly and I had to chuck them in the bin.
It looked like the wheel was well out of true but it turned out to be the tyres. I went onto the Specialised as above and they have had a dogs abuse and are holding up well
rhinochopig said:
Mr Gearchange said:
Freakuk said:
Struggling to find any Trail King II in 26x2.2 anywhere in stock, can get 2.4's
What would I notice if I switched to 2.4's?
You'll get a more 'floaty' ride and will be better suited to more DH oriented stuff IME.What would I notice if I switched to 2.4's?
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