General Tyre choice for Epic 2017

[Gerry Hattrick]

Bulls used Rocket Rons front and back last year, which seemed to work for them

[Matchstix]

Yes but I think they had new tires every 2nd day.

[jcza]

You won't go wrong with Barzo

[Groadie]

Going for my 4th Epic this year. Had great success with Vredestein Black Panthers. Only one resealable puncture in 16 stages. 

I don't recommend Bontrager - sidewalls are paper thin (in my experience).

ALso had issues with Specialized tyres....

 

But to be fair there are many other factors that determine why a tyre fails. I've also learned to ride at higher pressures and just be slightly more careful on the loose gravel turns then take a chance on the Epic. Too much investment to lose by trying to ride in the red. You'll lose tyres; time; and even use up some of your medical savings if you try and smash down Groenlandberg for example. Ride smart and most tyres will be fine....

[Tatt]

Purgatory and GC are not really XC tyres, are they?  

 

Great tyres but not really suitable for the EPIC or SA hardpack conditions, IMHO.

 

I've done two Epics on these tyres, they're bomb proof, and only ever had one puncture.

 

Tom 

[speed]

Maxxis Icon 29 x 2,35

Just did the Tankwa Trek on these super strong sidewalls!

[Groennies]

Hi everyone ,I just want to confirm ,at the back Ikon 2.32 or 2.2 and front Arend ??

 

[Avo]

What are the pros and cons regarding the width ie 2.20 vs 2.35? I have a 29er.

 

I do Marathon and Stage races

[V12man]

What are the pros and cons regarding the width ie 2.20 vs 2.35? I have a 29er.

 

I do Marathon and Stage races

Very little in practice between a 2.2 and a 2.35 for most makes - I cannot tell the difference personally that. 0.15 of an inch makes.

[Reden]

What is wrong with Onza?

No one in favour of this brand?

Too few options available I think.

I run the Canis on one set of my wheels and Vittoria on my other. Like the Vittoria's more.

[JBK]

So, which combination :

 

Barzo / Saguaro - Front / Back OR

Barzo / Barzo - Front / Back 

 

??

 

[BAM]

Did this year's Epic on Maxxis Forecaster 2.35, back and front. Brilliant grip no punctures and not a burp.

[Wet Ears]

I am running Maxxis Minion DHF upfront and Maxxis Ardent Race at the back - came standard with the bike. I see though that most people on this thread have the Ardent up front. Curious as to how SC came up with that combo?

[The Bull Shark]

Would like to mention that for this year's W2W I went with Vittoria Barzo/Saguaro combo. Not one problem on them. Was not even necessary to pump them the 3 days. I am sold on this combo.

 

I previously tried Onza Canis and Spez Purgatory on the front.

 

The Barzo has more grip than the Canis and only slightly slower, if at all, while the Barzo has about the same grip as the Purgatory but is quite a bit faster.

 

I also found the Canis to wash out very easily on sandy corners once they are a bit run down. But if you know you are going to race on lots of hardpack, then the Canis will be good. But we all know the Epic will almost always have loose rocky stuff.

[Rudi Pollard]

Would like to mention that for this year's W2W I went with Vittoria Barzo/Saguaro combo. Not one problem on them. Was not even necessary to pump them the 3 days. I am sold on this combo.

 

I previously tried Onza Canis and Spez Purgatory on the front.

 

The Barzo has more grip than the Canis and only slightly slower, if at all, while the Barzo has about the same grip as the Purgatory but is quite a bit faster.

 

I also found the Canis to wash out very easily on sandy corners once they are a bit run down. But if you know you are going to race on lots of hardpack, then the Canis will be good. But we all know the Epic will almost always have loose rocky stuff.

I also used that combo at W2W this year, and had quite the opposite experience. I cut the Saguaro at the back about 10km's into stage 1 and had massive problems from there with the cut just growing on me. We made it to the tech zone where the put on a new tyre as the cut had grown over 1cm. Unfortunately the mechanic that put on the new tyre was a bufoon and tore my rimtape. We only realised the leak at the top of the portage. Took about 10 bombs to nurse it home from there.