Discussion
I need some new tyres (26”) for my MTB, seems I’ve been out of the sport for a while and there’s a bewildering selection available now, not to mention price range (£50+ for bike tyres??)
I ride mostly bridleways, at the moment they’re pretty churned up. Any suggestions for decent tyres that will try and give a bit more grip? I’m currently on old Knobby Nics and Racing Ralph’s and they’re not up to much!
I ride mostly bridleways, at the moment they’re pretty churned up. Any suggestions for decent tyres that will try and give a bit more grip? I’m currently on old Knobby Nics and Racing Ralph’s and they’re not up to much!
The top of the range ones are getting pretty expensive and I just spent £90 on two Maxxis and that was with discounts. However they do have alot of tech in them now being tubeless ready and multiple compound rubber etc.
I have Specialized Purgatory on my 26" FS and have used them year round and they are on the cheaper side. I also have Continential Mountian King 2 on another bike which are even cheaper and do the job as well.
I have Specialized Purgatory on my 26" FS and have used them year round and they are on the cheaper side. I also have Continential Mountian King 2 on another bike which are even cheaper and do the job as well.
yellowjack said:
Whereabouts are you Mr Scruff?
I have a couple of (lightly) part-worn Maxxis Beaver mud tyres kicking around in my shed, and currently I don't have a 26" bike to put them on. I'm in Farnborough, Hampshire...
That's incredibly kind of you, thank you. I'm not actually that far away from you in High Wycombe, sadly time is the issue I have - I'm lone parenting this week with Mrs Scruff away on her jollies which limits me from getting out and about.I have a couple of (lightly) part-worn Maxxis Beaver mud tyres kicking around in my shed, and currently I don't have a 26" bike to put them on. I'm in Farnborough, Hampshire...
leyorkie said:
The OP is after decent tyres for muddy terrain. Those are specifically for drier, harder packed terrain.Mr Scruff said:
I’m currently on old Knobby Nics and Racing Ralph’s and they’re not up to much!
Nics, Ralphs, even Dampfs are pretty useless in many types of British mud.For the last two years, the only tyres - year round - I've bothered with are Schwalbe Magic Marys. They are magic, superb IMHO.
lufbramatt said:
I still rate the Panaracer Fire XC. Has a similar tread pattern to the Magic Mary although 2.1" rather than 2.35" and a fair bit lighter. Depends what sort of riding you do.
I think the classic, 'square block' tread design takes a lot of beating; there's a reason why trials and MX bikes still pretty much use these most of the time.That said, there is something awesome about the way, especially on the front, a Magic Mary works; I think it's a combination of size/volume, tread design, tread and carcase compound. I've ridden these all over, UK and Switzerland on all sorts of terrain - rocks, roots, mud, dust - and never once felt like they were a compromise, other than perhaps for all-out speed on very hard-packed dirt roads or tarmac.
Digga said:
That said, there is something awesome about the way, especially on the front, a Magic Mary works; I think it's a combination of size/volume, tread design, tread and carcase compound. I've ridden these all over, UK and Switzerland on all sorts of terrain - rocks, roots, mud, dust - and never once felt like they were a compromise, other than perhaps for all-out speed on very hard-packed dirt roads or tarmac.
Hmm... I may have to try these. So far, I've never tried any Schwalbe tyres because the stupid names just make me cringe a bit.Then again, the rear tyre on my 26" Cove Handjob is a Maxxis Ardent LUST, so maybe I can manage the slightly annoying names!
Kermit power said:
Digga said:
That said, there is something awesome about the way, especially on the front, a Magic Mary works; I think it's a combination of size/volume, tread design, tread and carcase compound. I've ridden these all over, UK and Switzerland on all sorts of terrain - rocks, roots, mud, dust - and never once felt like they were a compromise, other than perhaps for all-out speed on very hard-packed dirt roads or tarmac.
Hmm... I may have to try these. So far, I've never tried any Schwalbe tyres because the stupid names just make me cringe a bit.Then again, the rear tyre on my 26" Cove Handjob is a Maxxis Ardent LUST, so maybe I can manage the slightly annoying names!
Another vote for a Magic Mary up front, nothing I've tried compares. Minion DHF, Specialized Butcher, Purgatory or Nobby Nik at the back when wet / muddy. The rest of the time Rock Razor.
Schwalbe compounds and casings are just spot on very compliant rubber so great grip and trail smoothing properties.
Schwalbe compounds and casings are just spot on very compliant rubber so great grip and trail smoothing properties.
Mr Gearchange said:
I run a Magic Mary up front on my AM bike - as others have said it's ideal for sloppy UK conditions.
On my DH bike I run them front and rear.
they work well everywhere, except Bringewood, when it's muddy. Nothing grips at Bringewood when it's muddy.On my DH bike I run them front and rear.
The girl who gets a foot down on the turn at the very start of this video is doing well. My mate ran straight into the tree on the exit of that, at speed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMYgE1cHElw
Running Marys on a bridleway basher is pretty much the definition of overkill. Incredible tyres for the right application, but that's not having on bridleway, where they will be over the top and draggy.
Something like a High Roller 2 would be my recommendation. Kind of a jack of all trades, not the fastest, but not too bad.
My general hack about hardtail (that I use for trail centers, long XC bridleway hacks, towpath committees, jump sessions, and everything in between) runs a 2.4HR2 dual compound on the front (which again, is probably overkill, but I had one hanging about) and an Ardent on the rear.
If I was buying new for your purposes I'd stick a narrower HR2 dual compound on the front, and the same on the rear. For when it gets drier, something like a Specialized Slaughter on the back and just put up with the slight downturn in grip for the extra speed when it's not sloppy.
A friend who does similar riding to that which you're describing runs Nobby Nics all round and is perfectly happy with them.
Honestly, a Mary is an intermediate aggressive trail/Enduro tyre, it's really not what you want.
Something like a High Roller 2 would be my recommendation. Kind of a jack of all trades, not the fastest, but not too bad.
My general hack about hardtail (that I use for trail centers, long XC bridleway hacks, towpath committees, jump sessions, and everything in between) runs a 2.4HR2 dual compound on the front (which again, is probably overkill, but I had one hanging about) and an Ardent on the rear.
If I was buying new for your purposes I'd stick a narrower HR2 dual compound on the front, and the same on the rear. For when it gets drier, something like a Specialized Slaughter on the back and just put up with the slight downturn in grip for the extra speed when it's not sloppy.
A friend who does similar riding to that which you're describing runs Nobby Nics all round and is perfectly happy with them.
Honestly, a Mary is an intermediate aggressive trail/Enduro tyre, it's really not what you want.
Edited by FD3Si on Tuesday 30th January 10:48
Old, warn Nics. And I'm guessing the RR is rear. It's not surprising he's not happy! I don't rate then personally, but my friend is happy with them, and is riding similar things to the OP. His are the reborn Addix ones, which are purportedly a lot better. They powered him across a claggy, sloppy clay field whilst I ground to a halt and had to drag a stalled bike to the nearest available stick..
I get the impression that the OP really isn't a trail smasher, so I'm trying to suggest tyres that are appropriate for him, not just one I like. Shortys are great in the mud, for instance, but I would fancy hauling then along the conditions he described unless I was assisted by a motor!
I get the impression that the OP really isn't a trail smasher, so I'm trying to suggest tyres that are appropriate for him, not just one I like. Shortys are great in the mud, for instance, but I would fancy hauling then along the conditions he described unless I was assisted by a motor!
Edited by FD3Si on Tuesday 30th January 11:02
Edited by FD3Si on Tuesday 30th January 11:03
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