AM tyres... what you running?

[stefmeister]

And braking performance?  

 

I can immediately pick up a massive difference between the Slaughter which is pretty much a RR and the Ground Control I'm running on the back now.  Much harder to break traction but also brakes much better so I can brake later.

Those Slaughters grip pretty well when new, but once they slightly worn off, braking traction disappeared, especially the last few dry and dusty months of summer. Switched to a DHF2 WT at the back, and it's like dropping an anchor.

[stefmeister]

Nope. May be a bit slower, but it's just extra super secret training. And far better for the downs. 

I'm starting to think it's actually a lot slower. 26-27min up the mountain vs 22 mins with lighter/less rolling resistance rubbers. My legs are also not too happy to do 50-60 km rides anymore.

[RiverInTheRoad]

I'm starting to think it's actually a lot slower. 26-27min up the mountain vs 22 mins with lighter/less rolling resistance rubbers. My legs are also not too happy to do 50-60 km rides anymore.

I love light tyres. It really makes a massive difference.

 

I have the cheapest Jeffsy without lockout and TBH it pedals K@K. So very hesitant to go too heavy in the tyres.

[Odinson]

I love grippy tyres, but for long sustained climbs, they can hurt on long climbs or flat sections. My Der Baron has grips for ages, but is somewhat of a pig on the climbs. On cycle paths I can actually hear the knobs stick and unstick from the path as I pedal along.

[BaltazarMarques]

Don't you find the Minion DHF DD as too heavy for a bike you pedal uphill?

I actually have a brand new one I bought by mistake(wanted EXO) but geez 1146g is DH territory.

Slap that puppy on - You won't be sorry... Unless you're donning lycra and doing all day fire road epics...

 

I'm starting to think it's actually a lot slower. 26-27min up the mountain vs 22 mins with lighter/less rolling resistance rubbers. My legs are also not too happy to do 50-60 km rides anymore.

You do know this is the Gravity forum

 

Just kidding Dude - Yes they are heavy, so just depends if the performance gain is worth more than the weight penalty for you. If getting to the top 4/5 minutes faster is what you want out of your ride, then go lighter...

[BaltazarMarques]

I love light tyres. It really makes a massive difference.

 

I have the cheapest Jeffsy without lockout and TBH it pedals K@K. So very hesitant to go too heavy in the tyres.

Unfortunately the kind of stuff we ride up here in JHB you end up spending more time fixing punctures and buying new tyres than riding so tougher/heavier casings are a must.

[stefmeister]

You do know this is the Gravity forum

 

Just kidding Dude - Yes they are heavy, so just depends if the performance gain is worth more than the weight penalty for you. If getting to the top 4/5 minutes faster is what you want out of your ride, then go lighter...

No gravity is goal, but you need to go up before you can go down. And I'm a fairly strong climber, so why not enjoy both.

[BaltazarMarques]

No gravity is goal, but you need to go up before you can go down. And I'm a fairly strong climber, so why not enjoy both.

Absolutely man.

[Wet Ears]

On the note of tyre pressure, just got a new bike that came with:

Maxxis Minion DHF Exco up front, and

Maxxis Ardent race Exo on rear.

 

I am a healthy 108kgs and do most of my riding in Jhb ie Northern Farms, Groenkloof, Thaba etc. What sort of pressures should I be looking at for that riding and would that change for Sani?

[Hairy]

I still recon the best overall combo is Business in the front and Part out back.......which grippy tyre our front and good rolling tyre out back is your call to make.

[Wet Ears]

I still recon the best overall combo is Business in the front and Part out back....

Much like a mullet!

[Hairy]

Much like a mullet!

exactly ... classics never die 

 

[NicoBoshoff]

I immediately noticed the weight difference on the front wheel with the Minion in DD casing, but I am running a very light bike with light carbon hoops so I reckon the 250g penalty, whilst sucky, is ok given that I noticed a massive difference in grip and control when landing big hucks or hitting a corner hard.  The Butchers were giving me heart attacks at times, folding too easily, so I had to ride impractical pressures.

 

Climb wise, the rear tire is still a sane XC option (Ground Control Grid) so it's not that bad.

 

Ideally I want a 800g tire that has strong sidewalls and good grip.  You have to unfortunately pick two of the three.

[NicoBoshoff]

Here's a wacky stat for you though.

 

Accepting that I had to AT LEAST go up to a stronger sidewall combo for my bike and opted for the Slaughter Grid out back and Butcher Grid out front the net result is zero.

 

Ground Control Grid (810g) is 145g lighter than the Slaughter Grid (955g)

 

And the Butcher Grid (1000g) is, yup you guessed it, 145g lighter than the Minion DD (1145g).  

 

So worst case I sacrificed 145g  (Butcher Grid vs Minion) since I would say the Ground Control and Slaughter sidewalls are the same so ignore that gain for honesty's sake.

[Odinson]

Spot the reverse mullet:

 

[NicoBoshoff]

Spot the reverse mullet:

 

Sea Otter though.  Cambers and Jeffsies competing for the podium in the DH.