MBA's Top Ten Tyres

[GoLefty!!]

MBA has got to be the most biased rag in the world.

Richard Cunningham was someow involved with the horst link and Specialized and therefore that is his and his magazines brand of choice.

Also their tyre shootout is a purely trail shootout and it is conducted in conjunction with their bike shootout's. It's merely a reflection of their writers favourite tyres and is in no way a true reflection of performance.

 

Personally I try not to be led by the opinions in MBA. There is a greater depth of subjective information, from which a trend can be uncovered, available in forums.

[Racer X]

SA conditions are definitely different to the US and Europe. Ask the Cannondale Vredestein team that rode the Cape Epic in 2007 and 2008!

 

They seemed to prefer riding on bare rims than  tyres though.

[linnega]

 

In the latest issue of MBA' date=' Sept 2008, they performed a tyre shootout amongst 127 tyres.

 

Herewith their Top 10 ...

 

Top 10 26" Tyres

 

1. Kenda Nevegal DTC 2.1

2. Specialized S-Works Eskar 2.3

3. Kenda Telonix DTC 2.2

4. Maxxis Advantage 2.25

5. Syncross FLT 2.35

6. Hutchinson Toro Enduro All Mountain 2.35

7. Kenda Excavator DTC 2.1

8. Kenda Nevegal DTC 2.35

9. Kenda Nevegal L3R Pro 1.95

10. Specialized S-Works Roll X 2.2

 

 

Seems that Kenda with 5 out of the top 10 is the leading manufacturer of non-ust tyres.

 

Top 10 Tubeless Tyres

 

1. Specialized S-Works Eskar 2.3

2. Continental Mountain King Tubeless 2.4

3. Schwalbe Nobby Nic EVO UST 2.25

4. Specialized Chunder Control 2-Bliss 2.2

5. Geax Saguaro TNT 2.2

6. Kenda Nevegal UST 2.1

7. Geax Lobo Loco TNT 2.3

8. Geax Lobo Loco UST 2.3

9. Schwalbe Albert Snakeskin UST 2.25

10. Specialized The Captain Control 2.0

 

Specialized, Geax & Schwalbe dominate tubeless tyres.

 

 

 

[/quote']

Guess I should download my copy of this month's MBA.

 

[Goodbadugly]

A few weeks ago a guy on MTBR website posted a German magazine test on tires. A totally different story. They looked at rolling resistance, punctures. We do lots of hard pack and loose over hard. Less mud. Maybe a bit more relevant for us.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=419392&highlight=german+magazine

[Iwan Kemp]

puncture height is flattening height:
the higher the number, the better.
they test it with a hetchet which falls down from test to test which higher and higher height., for example test 1 40cm, test 2 45cm, test 50 et cetera. the shown value is the first height the tire flattens.
they test also for thorn proofness with a metal thorn. i will edit that soon too. thorn test isnt available for all tires.
class a is highest resistance, class f lowest.
the fields of use:
cc is cross country race
am is all mountain
en is enduro

RR measurement:
(bad english incoming!)
Rolling resistance: All tires are set up with 2,5 bar. Then they are set up on the testing role without load. Then they are accelerated on 20 kilometers per hour. Now the resistance is set to zero to eliminate air resistance and bearing friction. Then the wheel gets loaded with 50kg. After a short time the tire runs again with 20km/h. The difference from unloaded and loaded run results gets the rolling resistance in watt.
movements in the carcass play a larger role than the tread.


mibro 2.25
rolling resistance: 22,3 watt
flattening height: 50cm
thorn: c
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 3/6 (more= the better)

2.35 nevegal
RR: more than 50watt
flattening height: 43,3cm
cornering stability/ability: 6/6 (more= the better)
traction: 6/6 (more= the better)

nobby nic 2.4 triple
RR: 28,0 watt
flattening height: 70cm
thorn: a
cornering stability/ability:6/6 (more= the better)
traction: 6/6 (more= the better)
(update bike 4/08)
100% am

furious fred 2.0
RR: 19,9watt
flattening height: 42,5cm
thorn: e
cornering stability/ability:2/6 (more= the better)
traction: 2/6 (more= the better)

racing ralph 2.25 triple 2007
RR: 26,2 watt
flattening height: 65cm
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 4/6 (more= the better)
85% cc 15% am

racing ralph 2.25 evo TUBELESS 2008
RR: 19,8 watt
flattening height: 80cm
thorn: b
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 4/6 (more= the better)

smart sam 2.1
RR: 28,9 watt
flattening height: 55cm
thorn: b
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 5/6 (more= the better)
100% cc

fat albert
RR: 34,4 watt
flattening height: 78cm
thorn: no information
cornering stability/ability:6/6 (more= the better)
traction: 6/6 (more= the better)

little albert light (old test from 2004!)
RR: 32,1 watt
flattening height:-
thorn: -
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 5/6 (more= the better)

big betty 2.4 triple
RR: 32,2 watt
flattening height: 110cm
thorn: c
cornering stability/ability:6/6 (more= the better)
traction: 6/6 (more= the better)
(comment in the bike-test: big betty should have been rated 7/6 in traction and cornering stability)
15% am 85% ed

hutchinson python ng mrc medium 2.25
RR: 36,4watt
flattening height: 70cm
thorn: b
cornering stability/ability:4/6 (more= the better)
traction: 4/6 (more= the better)
15% cc 85% am

hutchinson barracuda tubeless light
RR: 35,4watt
flattening height: 70cm
thorn: d
cornering stability/ability:3/6 (more= the better)
traction: 4/6 (more= the better)
100% am

hutchinson toro 2.15
RR: 37,6watt
flattening height: 60cm
thorn: c
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 5/6 (more= the better)
30% cc 70% am

hutchinson piranha mrc medium 2,3
RR: 40,8 watt
flattening height: 70cm
thorn: b
cornering stability/ability:3/6 (more= the better)
traction: 2/6 (more= the better)
50% cc 50% am

larsen tt 2,3 exception
RR: 36,6 watt
flattening height: 85cm
thorn: c
cornering stability/ability:3/6 (more= the better)
traction: 4/6 (more= the better)
50% cc 50% am

mountain king 2.4 protection
RR: 32,5 watt
puncture height: 65cm
thorn: d
cornering stability/ability:6/6 (more= the better)
traction: 6/6 (more= the better)
50% am 50% en

speed king 2.1 supersonic
RR: 29,6 watt
puncture height: 40cm
thorn: e
cornering stability/ability:3/6 (more= the better)
traction: 4/6 (more= the better)
90% cc 10% am

speed king 2.3 supersonic
RR: 27,9 watt
puncture height:50cm
thorn: e
cornering stability/ability:4/6 (more= the better)
traction: 5/6 (more= the better)
10% cc 90% am

race king 2.2
RR: 23,9 watt
flattening height: 55cm
thorn: f
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 4/6 (more= the better)
85% cc 15% am

diesel protection
RR: 43,5 watt
flattening height: 75cm
thorn: c
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 4/6 (more= the better)
100% ed

explorer 2.1 supersonic
RR: 28,5 watt
flattening height: 40cm
thorn:c
cornering stability/ability:3/6 (more= the better)
traction: 3/6 (more= the better)
100% cc

specialized the captain 2
RR: 39,2 watt
flattening height: 85cm
thorn: c
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 5/6 (more= the better)
50% cc 50% am

specialized resolution 2.1
RR: 38,5 watt
flattening height: 65cm
thorn: d
cornering stability/ability:4/6 (more= the better)
traction: 5/6 (more= the better)
25% cc 75% am

nokian nbx 2.3
RR: 26,8 watt
flattening height: 35cm
thorn: -
cornering stability/ability:4/6 (more= the better)
traction: 4/6 (more= the better)

maxxis crossmark 2.1 exception
RR: 27,4 watt
flattening height: 55cm
thorn: b
cornering stability/ability:3/6 (more= the better)
traction: 3/6 (more= the better)
100% cc

maxxis high roller 2.35 tubeless
RR: over 45 watt
flattening height: 70cm
thorn: a
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 6/6 (more= the better)
100% ed

maxxis ignitor exception 2.1
RR: 34,3 watt
flattening height: 36,7cm
thorn: -
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 6/6 (more= the better)

maxxis ignitor exception 2.35
RR: 32,3 watt
flattening height: 55cm
thorn: -
cornering stability/ability:4/6 (more= the better)
traction: 5/6 (more= the better)

wtb mutano raptor (tested as all-mountain. maybe because of that only 2/6 cornering points)
RR: 30,7 watt
flattening height: 65cm
thorn: d
cornering stability/ability:2/6 (more= the better)
traction: 3/6 (more= the better)

kenda karma 2.2
RR: 41,3 watt
flattening height: 65cm
thorn: e
cornering stability/ability:4/6 (more= the better)
traction: 5/6 (more= the better)
80% am 20% ed

kenda small block eight 2,1
RR: 34,2 watt
flattening height: 55cm
thorn: c
cornering stability/ability:4/6 (more= the better)
traction: 5/6 (more= the better)

IRC trailbear 2.25 (2004 tested, got the "bang for the buck" award! (costs about 10? here in germany)
RR: 32,5 watt
flattening height: 41,67cm
thorn: -
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 5/6 (more= the better)

vredestein tiger claw 2,1
RR: 26,2 watt
flattening height: 67,5cm
thorn: c
cornering stability/ability:4/6 (more= the better)
traction: 4/6 (more= the better)
45% cc 55% am

cornering/ traction points are given compared to tires of the same class.
here are the new tests:

CC-Race:

maxxis monorail exception 2.1
RR: 26,3 watt
flattening height: 55cm
thorn: b
cornering stability/ability:4/6 (more= the better)
traction: 3/6 (more= the better)
100% cc

ritchey zmax intuition 2.0 wcs
RR: 38,2 watt
flattening height: 45cm
thorn:d
cornering stability/ability:4/6 (more= the better)
traction: 5/6 (more= the better)
100% cc

schwalbe rocket ron 2,25 (stats: 436g weight, available in 2.1" and 2.4" and 2.1"/2.25" tubeless)
RR: 24,7 watt
flattening height: 52,5cm
thorn: c
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction:5/6 (more= the better)
85% cc, 15% am

wtb wolverine 2.2
RR: 25,9 watt
flattening height: 65cm
thorn: d
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 4/6 (more= the better)
95% cc, 5% am

all mountain tires

continental rubber queen 2.2"
RR: 29,8 watt
flattening height: 70cm
thorn: c
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 4/6 (more= the better)
85% am, 15% ed

ritchey zmax premonition 2.25 wcs
RR: 35,2 watt
flattening height: 67,5cm
thorn: f
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 4/6 (more= the better)
100% am

specialized purgatory 2.2 s-works 2bliss
RR: 37,2 watt
flattening height: 70cm
thorn: d
cornering stability/ability:4/6 (more= the better)
traction: 5/6 (more= the better)
85% am, 15% ed

enduro tires

continental rubber queen 2.4"
RR: 42,7 watt
flattening height: 75cm
thorn: d
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 6/6 (more= the better)
100% ed

maxxis ardent 2.4" 60a folding
RR: 36,3 watt
flattening height: 80cm
thorn: c
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 4/6 (more= the better)
15% am, 85% ed

schwalbe fat albert 2.4" front and rear
RR: 29,9 watt
flattening height: 83,75cm
thorn: b
cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)
traction: 5/6 (more= the better)
45% am, 55% ed

[dirtrider]

interesting that are no kenda karmas there at all

 

 

 

Also the first thing I noticed !!!!

[Iwan Kemp]

Brand	Model	Size	Rolling Resistance (watt):	Flattening Height (cm):	Thorn Resistance: (a=best / f=worst)	Cornering Stability/Ability (1 to 6 being 6 the best)	Traction (1 to 6, being 6 the best)
IRC	Mibro	2.25	22.30	50.00	c	5	3
Kenda	Nevegal	2.35"	>50	43.30		6	6
Schwalbe	Nobby Nic	2.4"	28.00	70.00	a	6	6
Schwalbe	Furious Fred	2.0"	19.90	42.50	e	2	2
Schwalbe	Racing Ralph (2007)	2.25"	26.20	65.00		5	4
Schwalbe	Racing Ralph (EVO Tubeless 2008)	2.25"	19.80	80.00	b	5	4
Schwalbe	Smart Sam	2.1"	28.90	55.00	b	5	5
Schwalbe	Fat Albert	2.35"	34.40	78.00		6	6
Schwalbe	Little Albert Light (2004)	2.1"	32.10			5	5
Schwalbe	Big Betty	2.4"	32.20	110.00	c	6	6
Hutchinson	Python NG MRC Medium	2.25"	36.40	70.00	b	4	4
Maxxis	Larsen TT eXCeption	2.35"	36.60	85.00	c	3	4
Continental	Mountain King Protection	2.4"	32.50	65.00	d	6	6
Continental	Race King	2.2"	23.90	55.00	f	5	4
Continental	Explorer Supersonic	2.1"	28.50	40.00	c	3	3
Specialized	The Captain	2.0"	39.20	85.00	c	5	5
Specialized	Resolution	2.1"	38.50	65.00	d	4	5
Nokian	NBX	2.3"	26.80	35.00		4	4
Maxxis	Crossmark eXCeption	2.1"	27.40	55.00	b	3	3
Maxxis	Ignitor eXCeption	2.1"	34.30	36.70		5	6
Maxxis	Ignitor eXCeption	2.35"	32.30	55.00		4	5
WTB	Mutanoraptor		30.70	65.00	d	2	3
Kenda	Karma	2.2"	41.30	65.00	e	4	5
Kenda	Small Block Eight	2.1"	34.20	55.00	c	4	5
IRC	Trailbear	2.25"	32.50	41.67		5	5

[Iwan Kemp]

cornering/ traction points are given compared to tires of the same class.

here are the new tests:

 

CC-Race:

 

maxxis monorail exception 2.1

RR: 26,3 watt

flattening height: 55cm

thorn: b

cornering stability/ability:4/6 (more= the better)

traction: 3/6 (more= the better)

100% cc

 

ritchey zmax intuition 2.0 wcs

RR: 38,2 watt

flattening height: 45cm

thorn:d

cornering stability/ability:4/6 (more= the better)

traction: 5/6 (more= the better)

100% cc

 

schwalbe rocket ron 2,25 (stats: 436g weight, available in 2.1" and 2.4" and 2.1"/2.25" tubeless)

RR: 24,7 watt

flattening height: 52,5cm

thorn: c

cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)

traction:5/6 (more= the better)

85% cc, 15% am

 

wtb wolverine 2.2

RR: 25,9 watt

flattening height: 65cm

thorn: d

cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)

traction: 4/6 (more= the better)

95% cc, 5% am

 

all mountain tires

 

continental rubber queen 2.2"

RR: 29,8 watt

flattening height: 70cm

thorn: c

cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)

traction: 4/6 (more= the better)

85% am, 15% ed

 

ritchey zmax premonition 2.25 wcs

RR: 35,2 watt

flattening height: 67,5cm

thorn: f

cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)

traction: 4/6 (more= the better)

100% am

 

specialized purgatory 2.2 s-works 2bliss

RR: 37,2 watt

flattening height: 70cm

thorn: d

cornering stability/ability:4/6 (more= the better)

traction: 5/6 (more= the better)

85% am, 15% ed

 

enduro tires

 

continental rubber queen 2.4"

RR: 42,7 watt

flattening height: 75cm

thorn: d

cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)

traction: 6/6 (more= the better)

100% ed

 

maxxis ardent 2.4" 60a folding

RR: 36,3 watt

flattening height: 80cm

thorn: c

cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)

traction: 4/6 (more= the better)

15% am, 85% ed

 

schwalbe fat albert 2.4" front and rear

RR: 29,9 watt

flattening height: 83,75cm

thorn: b

cornering stability/ability:5/6 (more= the better)

traction: 5/6 (more= the better)

45% am, 55% ed

[Iwan Kemp]

Look again.

 

kenda karma 2.2
RR: 41,3 watt
flattening height: 65cm
thorn: e
cornering stability/ability:4/6 (more= the better)
traction: 5/6 (more= the better)
80% am 20% ed

[niterider]

 

MBA has got to be the most biased rag in the world.

Richard Cunningham was someow involved with the horst link and Specialized and therefore that is his and his magazines brand of choice.

Also their tyre shootout is a purely trail shootout and it is conducted in conjunction with their bike shootout's. It's merely a reflection of their writers favourite tyres and is in no way a true reflection of performance.

 

Personally I try not to be led by the opinions in MBA. There is a greater depth of subjective information' date=' from which a trend can be uncovered, available in forums.

[/quote']

 

Agreed. MBA has some of the worst bicycle journalism around. They're a standing joke amongst some of the other bikemags.

 

[Goodbadugly]

Tires are also a personal thing. I rate them according to the way I feel that day. Tire pressures are rarely evaluated in these "shootouts". The tire pressure mentioned in the German mag is 2.5 Bar. The guys run lower tire pressures where I stay.

A guy called "Nino"had a discussion (MTBR) on the pressures he tried to run with his new the Conti Race King supersonics. Took a while to find his sweet spot. His comments ranged from mixed feelings to exceptional.

MBaction will try to sell and push Kenda Nevegals. Kenda USA and the John Tomac signature series. They sell the "best trail tire"

The Germans will try to sell their own brands. Schwalbe and Conti. Hence the Nevegal has the worst kind of rolling resistance thinkable... They present the "fastest tire". Be prepared to talk to ABSA or FNB before you invest in a set of Racing Ralph EVO's.

 

There might be some small truth in the rolling resistance thing? Tire manufacturers has tried a few tricks to present faster and/or stickier tire compounds. 60a, 70a rubbers, Stick-E etc. Some promoted more tpi for a faster tire carcass. Up to 128.

 

The "fastest tire" of the day is still on the bike of the winner of the race. Whatever that tire may be. 

I stay slow no matter how fast a tire I ride.

[Iwan Kemp]

Read this for test on fat vs narrow tyres and low vs high pressures. Very interesting.

http://www.bicicletta.co.za/Downloadable%20Docs/Rolling%20Resistance%20Eng%20illustrated.pdf

The Crow2008-10-18 21:34:06

[dylankeyter]

 

In the latest issue of MBA' date=' Sept 2008, they performed a tyre shootout amongst 127 tyres.

 

Herewith their Top 10 ...

 

Top 10 26" Tyres

 

1. Kenda Nevegal DTC 2.1

2. Specialized S-Works Eskar 2.3

3. Kenda Telonix DTC 2.2

4. Maxxis Advantage 2.25

5. Syncross FLT 2.35

6. Hutchinson Toro Enduro All Mountain 2.35

7. Kenda Excavator DTC 2.1

8. Kenda Nevegal DTC 2.35

9. Kenda Nevegal L3R Pro 1.95

10. Specialized S-Works Roll X 2.2

 

 

Seems that Kenda with 5 out of the top 10 is the leading manufacturer of non-ust tyres.

 

Top 10 Tubeless Tyres

 

1. Specialized S-Works Eskar 2.3

2. Continental Mountain King Tubeless 2.4

3. Schwalbe Nobby Nic EVO UST 2.25

4. Specialized Chunder Control 2-Bliss 2.2

5. Geax Saguaro TNT 2.2

6. Kenda Nevegal UST 2.1

7. Geax Lobo Loco TNT 2.3

8. Geax Lobo Loco UST 2.3

9. Schwalbe Albert Snakeskin UST 2.25

10. Specialized The Captain Control 2.0

 

Specialized, Geax & Schwalbe dominate tubeless tyres.

 

 

 

[/quote']

 

Interesting, I am positive I saw a Kenda Nevegal 2.1 wire bead at Olympic Cycles for R150, I was impressed by the price. Is this the conventional price for that tire? It was not a tubeless tire of course.

 

[davetapson]

I've only riden Nevegals and Bontrager revolts.  Compared the revolts, the nevegals were like riding in syrup - however they are sturdier, more robust tyres. 

The revolts were great in terms of low rolling resistance, however, they are cut and slashed and look pretty ropy and they've still got 50% tread left.  The one even delaminated with Joes sealant - and it's a UST tyre!!

Mountain Kings for me next, I think.  If I was to use nevegals, it would be with a back up motor... Pity that the test only shows 2.4 MK's.  Would be interesting to see if the 2.2's were any better in terms of rolling resistance.

 

[TNT1]

 

 

In the latest issue of MBA' date=' Sept 2008, they performed a tyre shootout amongst 127 tyres.

 

Herewith their Top 10 ...

 

Top 10 26" Tyres

 

1. Kenda Nevegal DTC 2.1

2. Specialized S-Works Eskar 2.3

3. Kenda Telonix DTC 2.2

4. Maxxis Advantage 2.25

5. Syncross FLT 2.35

6. Hutchinson Toro Enduro All Mountain 2.35

7. Kenda Excavator DTC 2.1

8. Kenda Nevegal DTC 2.35

9. Kenda Nevegal L3R Pro 1.95

10. Specialized S-Works Roll X 2.2

 

 

Seems that Kenda with 5 out of the top 10 is the leading manufacturer of non-ust tyres.

 

Top 10 Tubeless Tyres

 

1. Specialized S-Works Eskar 2.3

2. Continental Mountain King Tubeless 2.4

3. Schwalbe Nobby Nic EVO UST 2.25

4. Specialized Chunder Control 2-Bliss 2.2

5. Geax Saguaro TNT 2.2

6. Kenda Nevegal UST 2.1

7. Geax Lobo Loco TNT 2.3

8. Geax Lobo Loco UST 2.3

9. Schwalbe Albert Snakeskin UST 2.25

10. Specialized The Captain Control 2.0

 

Specialized, Geax & Schwalbe dominate tubeless tyres.

 

[/quote']

 

Sweet there's one named after me! I'm getting those!

 

Um where do I get GEAX from?

TNT12008-11-10 06:07:59

[_BBi]

  
Sweet there's one named after me! I'm getting those!

 

Apparently they are very exposive.