Vittoria tyres

[matthieup]

So,

 

I've decided to help myself and get some better rolling tyres for the summer.

After reading quite a bit I'm going to go with a set of Vittoria.

 

At the front i'll pick a Barzo and i'm thinking the 2.35 (better than the 2.25 i guess for my weight without much resistance penalty)

At the back I cannot decide between the Saguro in 2.2 or the Mezcal in 2.35. As i'm quite heavy (really) I'm think a slightly bigger tyre is better. The Mexcal is also available in 2.25.

 

I can't find a definite answer though on Saguro vs Mezcal to start with and then the width to choose for the rear tyre.

 

All advice welcome

[Paddaman]

Saguro is my go to tyre, good at everything.

However, I have been using the Mezcal tyre and it has a lower profile in the middle but is also good.

 

These tyres however never wear out.

[matthieup]

And Barzo at the front right? So you reckon the Mezcal would less resistance but less grip also? Would the fact that the Mezcal can be had in 2.35 vs 2.2 for the Saguro compensate that?

[Me rida my bicycle]

I ran Barzo front and rear rolling and grip was excellent!

[Uncleslow]

Barzo 2.35 front and Mezcal 2.25 rear. Get the Cape Cobra version. Great combo and good price. The speed, decent grip and weight saving of the Mezcal out rear makes it a better option than the Barzo. Would only pick 2.35 rear if soft or sandy trails.

[matthieup]

 Would only pick 2.35 rear if soft or sandy trails.

 

Even at 120kg?

[NelAndre]

I am 90kg plus and I set up my bike with 2 new Saguro's for J2C this year. 3 punctures in my rear wheel in 2 days on stages 6 and 7. I never get punctures so I took the Saguro off and I am back to Maxxis Ikon at the back.

 

Very happy with the grip and roll of the Saguro at the front though.

[matthieup]

I am 90kg plus and I set up my bike with 2 new Saguro's for J2C this year. 3 punctures in my rear wheel in 2 days on stages 6 and 7. I never get punctures so I took the Saguro off and I am back to Maxxis Ikon at the back.

 

Very happy with the grip and roll of the Saguro at the front though.

 

Thanks for this feedback. Was it the Cape Cobra version or the normal one?

[Baracuda]

I have the Barzo on the front and Saguro on the back.

The Saguro is great and tough. Not an issue with it since mounting it two years ago and doing a lot of training and Berg n Bushes etc.

The Barzo has also proved tough, but it lacks grip in loose over hard stuff (e.g. Table Mountain stuff).  It has good grip in the wet and on clay, but if one has loose sand / gravel over hard pack, it does drift in corners. The good thing is that is drifts gradually and you can rescue it (to a certain extent), it doesn't just let go.

 

I have therefore changed to a different tire on the front. Trying a Maxxis Forecasters but have not ridden it enough to comment.

 

I have ridden the same trials with Hans Damphs and they don't let go at all, but are not an xc tire.

[matthieup]

I have the Barzo on the front and Saguro on the back.

The Saguro is great and tough. Not an issue with it since mounting it two years ago and doing a lot of training and Berg n Bushes etc.

The Barzo has also proved tough, but it lacks grip in loose over hard stuff (e.g. Table Mountain stuff).  It has good grip in the wet and on clay, but if one has loose sand / gravel over hard pack, it does drift in corners. The good thing is that is drifts gradually and you can rescue it (to a certain extent), it doesn't just let go.

 

I have therefore changed to a different tire on the front. Trying a Maxxis Forecasters but have not ridden it enough to comment.

 

I have ridden the same trials with Hans Damphs and they don't let go at all, but are not an xc tire.

 

I hear you. I run Bonty XR4/XR3 combo at the moment. They grip great but for those longer XC ride like the K2C I feel they were a drag

[DieselnDust]

Just picked up a Set of Mezcal and a Barzo from my LBS on black Friday deal. These Cape Cobra tyres feel heavy but I was assured that nothing has changed in the tyre construction.

Has anyone weighed the non Cape Cobra vs Cape Cobra tyres? If nothing has changed the two tyres should be within 15gr  of each other.

[Wayne pudding Mol]

the standard Barzo claimed weight for 2,25 is 575 although actual Vittoria website says 525  - I weighed them at 605 - don't know what the Cape Cobra version weighs

[Wannabe]

I am 90kg plus and I set up my bike with 2 new Saguro's for J2C this year. 3 punctures in my rear wheel in 2 days on stages 6 and 7. I never get punctures so I took the Saguro off and I am back to Maxxis Ikon at the back.

 

Very happy with the grip and roll of the Saguro at the front though.

 

 

I'm just shy of 90kg, did the J2C with Barzo front, Saguaro rear, not a single puncture.

 

To be honest, this is my 2nd combo like this, and not a single puncture in over 6000km of riding.

[duanelr]

I ran barso 2.25 front and rear for a long time, flippen awesome. On vittoria website it recommends to pair barzo front with mecal rear. looking for black friday specials then i will treat myself to this combo. also not sure about 2.25 or 2.35. the 2.25 is looks wider than say a 2.25 racing ralph, so still undecided, but great rubber. no punctures and after 4000km's still has plenty tread left

[DieselnDust]

the standard Barzo claimed weight for 2,25 is 575 although actual Vittoria website says 525  - I weighed them at 605 - don't know what the Cape Cobra version weighs

 

 

thanks that confirms that the Cape Cobra is about 120gr heavier. Its 715gr for the Barzo and 698 for the Mezcal Cape Cobra tyres.

these are portly! 

I'll see how they perform but I'm going to miss my Rocket Rons' 615gr weight

[Uncleslow]

 

Even at 120kg?

Ja...well, maybe then 2.35.

 

For stage races especially I like a bit of puncture resistance vs the weight saving. Used Spez GC and FT in Grid version for long before switching to the Vittoria combo Cape Cobra. Weight was similar, but handling much better.

 

Did Tankwa, Epic and Sani this year without one puncture... and then had a puncture on a casual training ride. If your number is up, well then...