Comprehensive MTB tyre poll

[M L]

Always questions and opinions on mtb tyres but they are very terrain/location specific.

 

So please select your favorite tyre (presumably front) for the different conditions, feel free to add others. Just chose these based on The Crow's mtb tyre brand poll and these were the most common. The choices are biased towards XC...sorry DH folk.

 

Also recommendations regarding the poll will be would be appreciated.

 

In all the topics it takes lots of time to read through everyone's tyre suggestions etc so when posting please start with your favourite tyre, can be front and/or back and then the terrain you mostly ride it with, followed buy a comment.

[M L]

Schwalbe rocket ron - Rocky/Loose gravel

Continental Mountain King - Dry/Dusty

Maxxis crossmark - Wet

 

Have not been riding for long enough to test many tyres but I don't like continentals in the wet, Race kings are excellent as a rear tyre but grip on loose gravel and dusty hardpack is very bad when on the front.

[davetapson]

No Maxxis Monorail, Kenda Karma, Bontrager Revolt Super-X?

[Hairy]

Please add the Maxxis Ardents to the list.

 

It might also be interesting to see a section where one can poll your preferred tyre width/volume!

[Cruz Addict]

conti mountain king 2, 2.4 across all, but in reality its one not on the list,

Continental Rubber queen, sticks like its on rails but wears out very quickly, very soft compound!!

[MTBeer]

any votes for spec ground control and purgatory control?

[M L]

Problem is theres only 20 answers per question, otherwise the poll should be all the tyres out there but then each person adds the terrain he chose for his tyre?

[sometime]

 

Continental Mountain King - Dry/Dusty

Maxxis crossmark - Wet

 

 

 

Dry and dusty you ideally want low profile knobs packed closely together (think Kenda small block). Conti Mt Kings are the opposite of that with pronounced knobs and wide spacing along the contact patch.

 

Invert everything above and you have the reason why Crossmark are no good for the wet and mud and good for cycling across the Kalahari ten times.

 

In fact swap your answers around and you'll be much better off.

[M L]

 

Dry and dusty you ideally want low profile knobs packed closely together (think Kenda small block). Conti Mt Kings are the opposite of that with pronounced knobs and wide spacing along the contact patch.

 

Invert everything above and you have the reason why Crossmark are no good for the wet and mud and good for cycling across the Kalahari ten times.

 

In fact swap your answers around and you'll be much better off.

Interesting, thanks I will give it a try!

[rudi-h]

voted maxxis crossmark UST for all three...

 

I know its a shyte tire for mud and i guess its not the lightest of the fastest; neither does it have the most grip nor least rolling resistance. So you might ask then WTF do I vote for it?

 

Simple reason. Been running these tyres for 6 years with 0 flats and since 2012 I haven't even been running tubeless anymore.

 

I'd much rather be 5 min slower on a ride/race and have fun as opposed to sitting in the mud with tyre levers changing tubes!

[M L]

voted maxxis crossmark UST for all three...

 

I know its a shyte tire for mud and i guess its not the lightest of the fastest; neither does it have the most grip nor least rolling resistance. So you might ask then WTF do I vote for it?

 

Simple reason. Been running these tyres for 6 years with 0 flats and since 2012 I haven't even been running tubeless anymore.

 

I'd much rather be 5 min slower on a ride/race and have fun as opposed to sitting in the mud with tyre levers changing tubes!

I am a weight weenie but when it comes to tyres I also choose reliability over anything. But maybe that is why I fall so much.

 

Sometime, mind giving me some tips for a nice tyre in western cape, karoo2coast conditions If I can put it that way. Terrain is hard but with small loose rocks, dry and dusty.

 

Running conti raceking protection front and back, had absolutely not a days trouble with them but they don't grip lekker around corners.

Edited December 4, 2012 by wheelerdealer

[MTBeer]

voted maxxis crossmark UST for all three...

 

I know its a shyte tire for mud and i guess its not the lightest of the fastest; neither does it have the most grip nor least rolling resistance. So you might ask then WTF do I vote for it?

 

Simple reason. Been running these tyres for 6 years with 0 flats and since 2012 I haven't even been running tubeless anymore.

 

I'd much rather be 5 min slower on a ride/race and have fun as opposed to sitting in the mud with tyre levers changing tubes!

also ran those for 2 years with just one puncture. great all round tyre. recently changed to spec ground control - back, and purgatory control - front, to try for something with a bit more grip. hope i'm not going to be disappointed.

[Single Track]

any votes for spec ground control and purgatory control?

 

I have that setup and like them! you?

[MTBeer]

I have that setup and like them! you?

only ridden them once and they seem great. definitely more grip than the crossmarks i had before.

[M L]

Any recommendations on a lightish, robust and good gripping 29er tyre? Been very happy with the wear of my conti's. Previous schwalbes with around 1/4 of riding on tar was heavy wearing on the knobs.

 

My feeling:

Maxxis Ikon

Specialized something

Conti mountain king (740g for the protection is very heavy)

[Pipsqueak]

I've had a set of Onza Canis on for over a year. Bought them cause Ralphs were out of stock. Must say, they've been flawless. Oh, except in mud.