So is goedkoop really duurkoop? Let’s find out! I recently picked out some cheapo Chinese Chaoyang Tyres from a bike shop to try out on my Giant Reign. My local trails are all around Table Mountain so lots of super steep gradients with a good mix of loose gravel, powdery sand, granite & sharp rocks - an unforgiving torture tunnel for MTB tyres if ever there was one! Price wise the Chaoyangs were substantially cheaper than anything else on offer. The tag on the 26 x 2.25 double hammer model was R399 - tubeless with shark skin side walls, dual compound & 60 tpi. I’ve never tried this Chinese brand before btw and can honestly say my expectations were low! My go-to tyres are Vittoria, but I’ve previously used Maxxis, Schwalbe, Michelin, Continental, etc. So in this durability & performance test I’ll try to compare with those brands esp as to whats most cost effective. Fitting the tubeless tyres was not too challenging at all. Rubber felt good and weight was decent at 660g. Inflated to 20 psi. First two rides I aimed at every rock on the trail, leaned into turns excessively to test holding & did a few jumps. So far so good! I’m stoked with performance & really like the tread pattern (perfect for rear wheel) - good holding & lowish rolling resistance. Will periodically update this post to share how the tyres hold out after a few hundred k’s around the mountain. Also would like to hear from anyone currently using Chaoyangs what your experiences have been. Is goedkoop duurkoop or not? :-)
