Maxxis aspen vs Vittoria mezcal

[mrJohan]

Both 2.25. As a rear tyre for racing?

[robbybzgo]

Used Aspen's front and back on a hard-tail for easy/moderate trails and dirt roads this last weekend. Lost a bit of grip climbing steep sandy sections but most tyres do anyway. Worked well.

[RobertWhitehead]

I have never used the Aspen before, but I have used MAXXIS in the past. I love them, the brand is great but I do find that after about 2000km the tire starts to loose its form, the wheel will appear to need a true when in actual fact its the tire. The brand of tire also starts to "sweat sealant" also around the 2000km mark. 

 

I am running the Barzo at the front with the Mezcal at the back. This combo currently has more than 3000km on it and they're still running true and the grip is good. Will I consider MAXXIS again? I don't think so, I basically just want something that works and gives me sufficient grip. The above mentioned combo delivers that for me

[Vetseun]

I dont do the technical stuff around my bikes. Gentle Jesus gave us bike shops for that. My gravel grinder went in to my lbs for new rubber. It came back with 2 Aspens fitted in. A good few thousand km on them and all is fine. No flats so far.

But then again they could have fitted a set of Makro tyres and I wouldnt have even noticed.

I just want to ride.

[love2fly]

I use Maxxis only. Ardent and now Ardent Race up front and Crossmark on rear. I only replace the rear when worn out and only replaced front after at least a year when going to a wider Tyre. In almost 7000km I have only had to put in ONE plug. I have had a Tyre deform but that was after cleaning out sealant after too long a period and battling to work it onto rim. I think it got stretched due to having to use serious force as the sealant was velcroing the sidewalls together. I will only use Maxxis. Looking around where we ride 90% of mtb ride Maxxis.

[Quagga]

The Mezcal for rear is a nice tyre. Better than the Ikon I used to run

But the compound is softer which gives nice grip but lower KM.

However at R590 a tyre. Worth it.

Edited August 19, 2020 by Quagga

[Zawillow]

I'm a big fan of the Aspen. For a light and very fast rolling tyre it has good grip. It has become my rear tyre of choice and when doing non-technical/endurance races like Trans-Baviaans or K2C its a good option for the front too.

 

Don't know much about the Mezcal, but have heard they don't last long. Based on my experience (or my weight) the Aspens also don't last as long as I'd like them to. 

[Martin PJ]

If you ask ten people recommendations on tires you get ten different opinions. I think Maxis and Vittoria are the top in tires for a while now. I don't think any opinions are wrong, different things work for different people. I know what I like and both brands work for me. My only recommendation is that the front should be a bit grippier if you worried about wash outs.

[Jbr]

The aspen doesn't have a lot of meat on it from the start, I bought my bike with old aspens and I had no traction on the brakes, I wouldn't recommend them for single track unless you can change them often.

I went back to my trusty Rekon Race and it's working great for me. Never tried the Vittoria though

[ChrisF]

I dont do the technical stuff around my bikes. Gentle Jesus gave us bike shops for that. My gravel grinder went in to my lbs for new rubber. It came back with 2 Aspens fitted in. A good few thousand km on them and all is fine. No flats so far.

But then again they could have fitted a set of Makro tyres and I wouldnt have even noticed.

I just want to ride.

I actually like tinkering in the garage ....

 

When it comes to tires ... my LBS KNOWS me, and my type of riding. So I fit what he gives me ....

 

My current bike came with MAXXIS .... I know the front is different to the rear .... but would have to go check exact spec of each .... when the time comes to replace, I may well opt for the ecact same !! Really happy with the performance over rocks, through the berms, and corners with loose surface ....