Front tyre for mud?

[Peaky Rider]

I've finally concluded that the Maxxis Minion DHF on the front of my Trek Rail, whilst okay on rocky gritty trails, might not be the best on deep mud covered single track. Can I ask what other people are using for such conditions (muddy)?

 

[Mcharza]

Maxxis Shorty
Schwalbe Magic Mary
Schwalbe Dirty Dan
Specialized Hillbilly
Continental Hydrotal

 

[Fangs2k]

My ‘go to’ mud tyres have been the Specilaized hillbilly’s for a few years now, brilliant tyres that make a massive difference to traction and steering when it’s properly wet and gloopy.

Back in the 26” days, Tioga Mud Dawgs were my favourite, but not sure they ever released 27.5”/29” versions.

 

[Peaky Rider]

My ‘go to’ mud tyres have been the Specilaized hillbilly’s for a few years now, brilliant tyres that make a massive difference to traction and steering when it’s properly wet and gloopy.

Back in the 26” days, Tioga Mud Dawgs were my favourite, but not sure they ever released 27.5”/29” versions.

I remember the Tioga Dawg range, especially the white version, you really are going back with that one.

 

[Fangs2k]

I remember the Tioga Dawg range, especially the white version, you really are going back with that one.

Yep, but they were pretty memorable!

 

[Eduardoramundo]

Magic Mary
Conti Argotal

 

[irie]

Have the same problem with a front Assegai but can't be arsed to put on anything else for mud, so just put up with it in the knowledge that the weather (in the south UK) is on the change to warmer and drier conditions.

 

[Peaky Rider]

Thanks guys, Hillbilly ordered.

 

[RiderOnTheStorm]

Similar conclusion from my end as I was previously using Maxxis Assegai in front. This wasn't working well for me on muddy or loose terrains ( where I mostly ride).

Have now started using Schwalbe Eddy Current (front and rear). World of difference when riding in the mud or on extremely soft trails.

Keep in mind also that tire size and especially tire width is important in these conditions. I wouldn't consider anything less than a 2.6 tire width. Even thinking about increasing my rim internal width from 30mm to 35mm.

 

[InRustWeTrust]

Assegai maxxgrip or assegai maxxtera with cushcore.

Michelin enduro is god to.

 

[steve_sordy]

A while ago I had a set of specialist mud tyres. In mud they were great. But I never came across a trail where everywhere was muddy. Elsewhere it had rocks, roots, hardpack and so forth. The mud tyres were definitely sub-optimal there, so eventually I found a more all-round tyre and stuck with it instead.

 

[George_KSL]

That's the issue with dedicated mud tyres, their benefit in mud is less than their drawbacks on hardpack. Even the best medium mud tyre (like newest Spec Hillbilly or Maxxis Shorty) aren't that much better than Assegai Maxxgrip (only available in 2.4, 2.6 Assegai is absolutely different tyre, worse one and only in Maxxterra and special worse Maxxterra but they don't even mention that on website) or Magic Mary Ultrasoft 2.4 (again, not to be compared to absolutely any other type of Mary, difference in Soft vs Ultrasoft is massive).
But if I lived in UK, I would probably use the newest Specialized Hillbilly, it's the best mud tyre that doesn't suck elsewhere. It can be used as universal tyre for almost everything but dusty hardpack.

For deep mud, only true mud tyre like Dirty Dan or Hydrotal work, but those tyres are pretty much unusable elsewhere, it's why even downhill racers hesitate to run them unless it's total full on raining during the race. I would take that as a hint and avoid them. When those tyres shine, it's probably best to just stay home.

 

[Plummet]

What compound minion did you roll?

The max grip is pretty good in the wet crappolla. I'll admit its better on wet roots and rock than full on mud.

 

[valecek]

I use all year a Eddie current combo.

I used to be a die-hard maxiss tire user, but after using the Eddy Current for a long time, I basically couldn't find any conditions where the tires wouldn't work. If you were looking for even more aggressive tires, I'd go for the Magic Mary, but the Eddy Currents work very well in the mud anyway

 

[irie]

A while ago I had a set of specialist mud tyres. In mud they were great. But I never came across a trail where everywhere was muddy. Elsewhere it had rocks, roots, hardpack and so forth. The mud tyres were definitely sub-optimal there, so eventually I found a more all-round tyre and stuck with it instead.

Good point, exactly what I've found. Water accumulates into ruts and low points but the majority of the rides are relatively dry. As said earlier:

Have the same problem with a front Assegai but can't be arsed to put on anything else for mud, so just put up with it in the knowledge that the weather (in the south UK) is on the change to warmer and drier conditions.

 

[hainman]

How do the Hillbilly’s cope with Root n Rock??

 

[irie]

Have the same problem with a front Assegai but can't be arsed to put on anything else for mud, so just put up with it in the knowledge that the weather (in the south UK) is on the change to warmer and drier conditions.

Did put a Magic Mary on the front to deal with the epic muddy conditions this winter. And it's still raining

 

[jackamo]

I've finally concluded that the Maxxis Minion DHF on the front of my Trek Rail, whilst okay on rocky gritty trails, might not be the best on deep mud covered single track. Can I ask what other people are using for such conditions (muddy)?

I've finally concluded that the Maxxis Minion DHF on the front of my Trek Rail, whilst okay on rocky gritty trails, might not be the best on deep mud covered single track. Can I ask what other people are using for such conditions (muddy)?

Just swoped to Pirelli scorpion emtb mixed terrain on the front.
Local trails are a swomp at the mo and its held up really well . Haven't lost the front once.

 

[Tony4wd]

In sticky mud/clay the DHRII clears better than the DHF - I'm going to run DHR front and rear this winter, riding in red clay.