What tyres? The Ultimate Tyre Thread

[Stanczech]

Advice please , I’ve been given a set of 25imm int width rims I want to use for easy longer distance trail rides , so I want some light tyres . Would 2.6 nobby nicks be ok on that width rim , not sure how wide they come up but it’s he kind of easy rolling trail tyre I want and the only thing I can find available currently

In the winter I rode the Eddy Current, which works well with their sharp pattern, photo 1, 2, 3.
In the spring I want to try Schwalbe Johnny Watts tires this year, photo 4, 5.
When it comes to tires, the impressions conveyed can be completely inaccurate when they are personal; tires need to be tested (we run several bikes)., photo 6.
Tire manufacturer dimension tables, photo 7. As Gary wrote, you'll have a slightly rounder profile.

 

[Clubby]

Anyone tried a Maxxis Dissector on the rear for Scottish “summer” riding? Thinking of trying the dual compound exo version for a bit less rolling resistance than the DD HR2 that’s on just now. Have tried the 2.3 Aggressor on my normal bike before with mixed results, but have seen the 2.5 looks a lot chunkier, anyone tried this?

 

[EME]

Anyone tried a Maxxis Dissector on the rear for Scottish “summer” riding?

Alert - Im very much a Beginner - so please qualify accordingly.
2020 Levo Comp with carbon wheels - A few weeks ago, moving into SoFrance spring ( think Scottish summer, without the rain and flys ), I asked LBS for advice and he recommended Dissector 29x2.4 3C Maxxis Terra EXO+ ( Rear) with Minion 29x2.5 EXO Front. Claim was roll better and be more controllable on rocky / dusty / hardpack stuff down here. The Dissector has been a revelation to me after Big Betty / Magic Mary 29 x 2.6 in the winter goo and mud.

Definitely 'rolls' faster, climbing is just as efficient afaics, I can skid and lose the rear end but that's adding to the fun.

 

[Shinn]

How does tire profile affect its characteristics? Setting all conditions aside.

Just trying to get a base line.

For example, a Nobby Nic is quite rounded VS a DHR or high roller is much more square.

 

[Gary]

It depends massively on the rider

 

[roboticinvesting]

A few weeks ago I put on the Michelin e-wild 29 front and 27.5 rear on my YT Decoy Shred. They are on Nobl TR41 carbon wheels with cushcore installed both front and back.

I have had a couple of rides with the e-wilds and I have to say I am totally impressed. Things are still thawing here in Calgary so it is pretty muddy - that wet thick and slippery mud which and the tires are handling that really well. Of course there is a few spin outs here and there, but they grip and track really well in that. I have found that even on the ice that is left they are handling well - not like my fat bike studded tires but pretty good. I think a big part of the mud performance is that they are wider: front 2.6 and rear 2.8. They roll nice and grip is great both in that mud and on hard pack dirt as well.

All that said, I have not been out to the shuttle runs to give them a real test on the downhill runs, but based on these first few rides I am really optimistic.

 

[Shinn]

It depends massively on the rider

How about - why would a company design a tire with a rounder profile VS a square one. I'm not trying to be impossibly vague and am not asking why one is better than the other just...why?

In recent years I've only ridden a more square tire, 15 years ago it seems as if I remember most tires having a round profile though.

Thanks.

 

[Gary]

Choice

 

[Gary]

A completely rounded profile tyre with no real edge has no place for fast aggressive mountain bike riding in proper technical off road terrain.
Fatbike tyres run at crazy low pressures are kind of the exception but even then with all that extra grip they're rarely going anywhere fast. And in slimey mud they're next to useless

 

[1oldfart]

Suggestions please. In 2 months i should receive my 2021 Giant Trance E+, it will be on 29x2.6.
I plan to ride 3.0/2.8. I am thinking Maxxis Minion DHF with a 2.8 WTB rear.
Looking for all weather tires.

 

[bluewater87]

I swapped out the stock bontrager front tire on my trek rail 9.7 with a assegai maxxterra exo, and its night and day better grip. Assegai is the ultimate grip dry weather tire IMO.
I’m running an aggressor 2.5 dd in the rear and am enjoying it. Perhaps not the ultimate best climbing or braking traction, but i like how I can slide the back end around more than a dhr2 or assegai on the rear.
having the rear slide out before the front is was easier to control than losing the front end.

 

[EebStrider]

OK, I need some advice. Currently running DH22’s, and although the grip is good, the drag is doing my head in, so I want something faster rolling.

I’m mainly riding fire tracks, some downhill stuff, the odd tarmac road, nothing too extreme. As per the other thread, I’m thinking of E-Wild, as I have them on my other bike, and they roll much better apparently. But would anything else be more suitable?

Also need some help with sizes. My bike came from the factory with 2.5 front and 2.4 rear. The DH22’s are both 2.4. What are the benefits of wider tyres, as the EW’s only come in 2.6, so will they fit without issue?

 

[EebStrider]

Anyone???

 

[Zimmerframe]

Anyone???

It's very subjective and will depend a lot on the terrain you're riding and what you want from the tyre. All tyres are a compromise - there is no "perfect" tyre. The DH22's offer incredible grip, stability and virtual indestructibility. But they're heavy, slow to accelerate and very draggy. If you're a really fast aggressive rider they can be a great choice, but equally, if you're a knob (like me) they give you endless get out of jail free cards - but as said, at the expense of drag and acceleration reduction.

A 2.4 tyre will generally be more precise and I find, easier/quicker turning (changing direction as opposed to rolling turning ).

If you're more meandering a 2.6 or 2.8 will give you more air volume (it's bigger), so in theory you can run a slightly lower pressure which will give you a softer ride/act as extra suspension/will deform and grip around rocks and things - which in turn makes them unpredictable and imprecise if you're a faster rider - imagine running in wellies which are too big for you. If you run the 2.6 with some more pressure, it will mitigate this .. think several pairs of socks on foot inside oversized wellies. Very comfortable, but still not quite the precision you'd have with a smaller wellie.

E-wilds always seem like a really good compromise tyre. They have excellent grip but still roll well and are quiet. If you already have them on the other bike and like them, they'd be a good choice. I think you're limited to 2.6 or 2.8 with the e-wilds. I have a set of "wilds" here waiting to try as they also come in 2.4 and I've decided I like 2.4 for me.

 

[EebStrider]

It's very subjective and will depend a lot on the terrain you're riding and what you want from the tyre. All tyres are a compromise - there is no "perfect" tyre. The DH22's offer incredible grip, stability and virtual indestructibility. But they're heavy, slow to accelerate and very draggy. If you're a really fast aggressive rider they can be a great choice, but equally, if you're a knob (like me) they give you endless get out of jail free cards - but as said, at the expense of drag and acceleration reduction.

A 2.4 tyre will generally be more precise and I find, easier/quicker turning (changing direction as opposed to rolling turning ).

If you're more meandering a 2.6 or 2.8 will give you more air volume (it's bigger), so in theory you can run a slightly lower pressure which will give you a softer ride/act as extra suspension/will deform and grip around rocks and things - which in turn makes them unpredictable and imprecise if you're a faster rider - imagine running in wellies which are too big for you. If you run the 2.6 with some more pressure, it will mitigate this .. think several pairs of socks on foot inside oversized wellies. Very comfortable, but still not quite the precision you'd have with a smaller wellie.

E-wilds always seem like a really good compromise tyre. They have excellent grip but still roll well and are quiet. If you already have them on the other bike and like them, they'd be a good choice. I think you're limited to 2.6 or 2.8 with the e-wilds. I have a set of "wilds" here waiting to try as they also come in 2.4 and I've decided I like 2.4 for me.

Cheers Zimmer, that’s very helpful. I see that they don’t do the E-Wild in 2.4, just 2.6, so maybe something else would be more suitable. Some of the newer Schwalbe tyres could be a good option, certainly there’s a lot of choice!

A comparison chart with various options and features would be handy, so I’ll have a look online.

 

[MrSimmo]

Cheers Zimmer, that’s very helpful. I see that they don’t do the E-Wild in 2.4, just 2.6, so maybe something else would be more suitable. Some of the newer Schwalbe tyres could be a good option, certainly there’s a lot of choice!

A comparison chart with various options and features would be handy, so I’ll have a look online.

Echo @Zimmerframe 's comments, Ewilds are excellent tyres.

If you're looking for 2.4's - I run the Michelin Wild Enduro's in 2.4 which are sort of like the Ewilds but in the narrower format. The difference between the two as Zim says are that the Wild Enduros allow faster changing of direction (think switchbacks) where as the wider Ewilds are more plush but slightly less precise. My Wild Enduros have lasted me nearly a year (!!) where as I get through a set of Magic Marys in 3 months - I'm not a racer anymore so don't pin it to the limits of the bike - 40's and children slowed me down!

I don't know what kind of rider you are, but unless you're a fast rider who typically pops things like root gardens rather than plows through them; you'll probably not notice the difference.

Best way to sum them up:

Wild Enduros - Enduro Racing, Competitive fast technical riding
E-Wilds - Everything else


Magic Mary's from Schwalbe are truly awesome tyres too. They come in various widths (down to 2.3 iirc) and there is a comparison table on the website to show which compounds are best suited for what. I've run these for years before the Wild Enduros.

A lot of people now run Schwalbe Eddy Currents, they are excellent but very draggy in my opinion. I rode my mates Levo back to back with mine and his is noticeably slower, on the flipside it gripped like glue in flat corners where as my Wild Enduro's like to slide the back (which is a good thing). The Wild Enduros seem to be better on roots too, could just be subjective though. The Wild Enduros dont (seem to) have slip points either - meaning when you transition from the centre to the side knobs they don't loose traction.

Also depends on your rims to how each tyre performs as others have mentioned above - mine are 30mm (standard Roval on the Levos).

What would I buy with my money for my style of riding?
Magic Marys 2.5-2.6 (All Seasons) or
Maxxis DHF 2.5/DHR2 2.4 (All seasons) or Maxxis Assegai 2.5/DHR2 2.4(Spring/Summer), or
E-Wilds 2.6 (All Seasons). The reason I say E-Wilds rather than Wild Enduros is I've noticed I'm slowing down in middle age so plushness trumps speed these days. It's 50/50 with the Wild Enduros though!

 

[EebStrider]

Echo @Zimmerframe 's comments, Ewilds are excellent tyres.

If you're looking for 2.4's - I run the Michelin Wild Enduro's in 2.4 which are sort of like the Ewilds but in the narrower format. The difference between the two as Zim says are that the Wild Enduros allow faster changing of direction (think switchbacks) where as the wider Ewilds are more plush but slightly less precise. My Wild Enduros have lasted me nearly a year (!!) where as I get through a set of Magic Marys in 3 months - I'm not a racer anymore so don't pin it to the limits of the bike - 40's and children slowed me down!

I don't know what kind of rider you are, but unless you're a fast rider who typically pops things like root gardens rather than plows through them; you'll probably not notice the difference.

Best way to sum them up:

Wild Enduros - Enduro Racing, Competitive fast technical riding
E-Wilds - Everything else


Magic Mary's from Schwalbe are truly awesome tyres too. They come in various widths (down to 2.3 iirc) and there is a comparison table on the website to show which compounds are best suited for what. I've run these for years before the Wild Enduros.

A lot of people now run Schwalbe Eddy Currents, they are excellent but very draggy in my opinion. I rode my mates Levo back to back with mine and his is noticeably slower, on the flipside it gripped like glue in flat corners where as my Wild Enduro's like to slide the back (which is a good thing). The Wild Enduros seem to be better on roots too, could just be subjective though. The Wild Enduros dont (seem to) have slip points either - meaning when you transition from the centre to the side knobs they don't loose traction.

Also depends on your rims to how each tyre performs as others have mentioned above - mine are 30mm (standard Roval on the Levos).

What would I buy with my money for my style of riding? Magic Marys 2.5-2.6 (All Seasons) or Maxxis DHF 2.5/DHR2 2.4 (All seasons) or Maxxis Assegai 2.5/DHR2 2.4(Spring/Summer).

Thanks, that's also very helpful.

I did chuckle though, as the whole way through you'd convinced me to look at the Wild Enduros, then at the end recommended the Magic Mary's or Maxxis!!

Edit - just looking at the Wild Enduro and see that they do a Gum-X and a Magi-X. Which ones are you running?

 

[MrSimmo]

Thanks, that's also very helpful.

I did chuckle though, as the whole way through you'd convinced me to look at the Wild Enduros, then at the end recommended the Magic Mary's or Maxxis!!

Edit - just looking at the Wild Enduro and see that they do a Gum-X and a Magi-X. Which ones are you running?

? My wife has said the same many times about me switching around during one conversation ?‍

My bad, rushing to work and typing didnt work out, I meant to include W.E's in the summary ?‍ Will update my first post...

I'm running the Gum X3D compound front and rear, they state the Magi-X is for racing but tbh the Gum-X grips better in all situation. I've never met anyone who runs the Magi-X (including Enduro racers) compound, I tried it once but the front washed out on every single corner so that went back.

 

[urastus]

I've had a 4 month hiatus from the bike. My first riding has been in derby, Tasmania. Prior to the break I was starting to get into black tracks - I'm straight back into them with a nearly bald dhrII on the rear (max terra, over 2,000km) and a dhf in good condition on the front. It's strange, but the dhr is not letting me down at all. I think I like this combo, but would prefer an asagai on the front for all year riding; that's only because the dhf tends to keep mud down the middle.

 

[EebStrider]

? My wife has said the same many times about me switching around during one conversation ?‍

My bad, rushing to work and typing didnt work out, I meant to include W.E's in the summary ?‍ Will update my first post...

I'm running the Gum X3D compound front and rear, they state the Magi-X is for racing but tbh the Gum-X grips better in all situation. I've never met anyone who runs the Magi-X (including Enduro racers) compound, I tried it once but the front washed out on every single corner so that went back.

It did confuse me! OK, in that case, I'll go for the WE, as I spoke to my LBS earlier and they really recommended them saying that they're fast rolling, and great all round. I should have left the Maxxis on the bike that it came with, as those get good reviews, just the DH22 get even better reviews, but are much more focussed on the gnarly stuff.

 

[MrSimmo]

It did confuse me! OK, in that case, I'll go for the WE, as I spoke to my LBS earlier and they really recommended them saying that they're fast rolling, and great all round. I should have left the Maxxis on the bike that it came with, as those get good reviews, just the DH22 get even better reviews, but are much more focussed on the gnarly stuff.

You'll love the WE's ?

 

[EebStrider]

You'll love the WE's ?

I hope so. I'll blame you if I don't!

 

[MrSimmo]

I hope so. I'll blame you if I don't!

I’ll keep an eye out for either smiling or angry looking ebike riders with Wild Enduros and decide to run away or not ?

 

[Nikola777]

It did confuse me! OK, in that case, I'll go for the WE, as I spoke to my LBS earlier and they really recommended them saying that they're fast rolling, and great all round. I should have left the Maxxis on the bike that it came with, as those get good reviews, just the DH22 get even better reviews, but are much more focussed on the gnarly stuff.

Maybe just take the rear tire? And you leave the DH22 in the front. The front tire does not affect the rolling resistance much.

 

[EebStrider]

Tried the bike out after having the wild enduros fitted. What a transformation. The difference is night and day.

 

[Nikola777]

Tried the bike out after having the wild enduros fitted. What a transformation. The difference is night and day.

I'm glad to hear!

 

[MrSimmo]

Tried the bike out after having the wild enduros fitted. What a transformation. The difference is night and day.

Awesome great to hear ?

 

[hainman]

Been on Wtb verdict wets front/rear last few months in the Scottish slop
Sold my E-wild to my mate as I was happy on the verdicts
Now things are drying out I’m thinking the big knobs in the verdicts are to big for dry trails
Wondering if I go back to the E-wilds or try something knew
Mate raves on the Assagai
Was toying with the Vitoria mota,looks similar to the MM
Anyone have real world view on the MSc or Goodyear tyres

 

[roQer]

Been on Wtb verdict wets front/rear last few months in the Scottish slop
Sold my E-wild to my mate as I was happy on the verdicts
Now things are drying out I’m thinking the big knobs in the verdicts are to big for dry trails
Wondering if I go back to the E-wilds or try something knew
Mate raves on the Assagai
Was toying with the Vitoria mota,looks similar to the MM
Anyone have real world view on the MSc or Goodyear tyres

Used Verdict wet front/Vittoria mota rear for the winter. Now switched front to Assagai Maxxgrip. Mota stays on the rear. Very good combo for dryer and slightly wet conditions, IMO.

 

[steve_sordy]

Been on Wtb verdict wets front/rear last few months in the Scottish slop
Sold my E-wild to my mate as I was happy on the verdicts
Now things are drying out I’m thinking the big knobs in the verdicts are to big for dry trails
Wondering if I go back to the E-wilds or try something knew
Mate raves on the Assagai
Was toying with the Vitoria mota,looks similar to the MM
Anyone have real world view on the MSc or Goodyear tyres

Have a look at the WTB Vigilante.
I have a 29x2.5 WTB Vigilante TCS Light High Grip with TriTec compound and Slash Guard 1160gm on the front that replaced a same size Maxxis High Roller II 3C WT Maxx Terra EXO TR, 1016gm. The grip is better and it rolls well too.