Winter MTB Tyres
Discussion
Sure I read something about this recently but can’t find the thread.
Been riding Nobby Nic/Racing Ralph on my 29” full sus but it’s getting slippery out there now. Most of my riding is Chilterns woodland, so beech leaves, chalk and flint. Any recommendations for tyres that won’t break the bank? Not really in a position to pay £45 a tyre. Previously used High Rollers on my old 26” (the original version), are the new ones any good?
Been riding Nobby Nic/Racing Ralph on my 29” full sus but it’s getting slippery out there now. Most of my riding is Chilterns woodland, so beech leaves, chalk and flint. Any recommendations for tyres that won’t break the bank? Not really in a position to pay £45 a tyre. Previously used High Rollers on my old 26” (the original version), are the new ones any good?
I find Nobby Nics quite good in winter. Many years ago I tried a mud specific Schwalbe tyre. It was good in soft, gloopy mud, but anything hard and the long knobs made it squirm a lot. So I went back to Nobby Nics and rode them all year round. I'm in clay country so a tyre that clears mud is quite important.
I don't know anything that will do really well on wet leaves and chalk.
I don't know anything that will do really well on wet leaves and chalk.
aka_kerrly said:
jackh707 said:
Maxxis DHF front DHR rear.
Love mud and slop, can climb up a slip and slide with the rear.
However are heavy, but it just makes you fitter.
Yep The Maxxis Minion is a great shout, I mix it up a bit with a Minion on the front and a High Roller 2 on the rear.Love mud and slop, can climb up a slip and slide with the rear.
However are heavy, but it just makes you fitter.
Mr Scruff said:
Sure I read something about this recently but can’t find the thread.
Maybe from when I was asking in the ‘what have you bought thread’
I ended up with a selection plumping with Magic Mary up Front and Nobby Nic our back on my e-hardtail
It was suggested here that Magic Marys front AND back might be great for grip by draggy and sap efficiency
I have to say though I’ve questioned the Nics on sloppy mud for traction (something e-mobs are amazing at is ploughing through that stuff) and downhills in slippy / wet grass.
As winter progresses I’ll look to Mary at the back on mine, leaving Nics on the GF as she is sticking to trails more.
Having tried all those suggested in the last couple of years I'd recommend a magic Mary on the front and leave the rear as is.
Minions are great all weather but not great in clay and chalk due to the ramped knobs. MMs have a slightly taller knob so grip better.
Michelin enduro are similar to minions re grip in the wet but wear a lot faster.
ETA... if you want just mud grip, then maxxis wet-screams are superb - but awful everywhere else. Very tall knobs so they roll on hard pack and feel sketchy pushing on. In the mud though.... Amazing. Again, just on the front though.
Minions are great all weather but not great in clay and chalk due to the ramped knobs. MMs have a slightly taller knob so grip better.
Michelin enduro are similar to minions re grip in the wet but wear a lot faster.
ETA... if you want just mud grip, then maxxis wet-screams are superb - but awful everywhere else. Very tall knobs so they roll on hard pack and feel sketchy pushing on. In the mud though.... Amazing. Again, just on the front though.
Edited by take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey on Saturday 3rd October 09:23
Ridden the Chilterns for many years and the chalky claggy areas are just that and something that no tyre will make any difference . It does sharpen your bike controlling though.
I turn to my Stooge single speed for inter and currently will have its Michelin muds put back on this weekend , ready for the mud plugging from now on. They are pretty good tyres but are pretty soft and find the rear does loose its tread quite quickly but it does give decent traction , considering I am on a singlespeed where torque takes over from spin on the loose mucky stuff.
As for e-bikes. The wife nearly had a few tank slappers a few weeks ago when we found a wet sharp climb and its all about control than tyre. She went at it with too much power and the back just kept sliding around on her.
Its all good fun though , re-learning the trails , lines and grip levels. But for me the Michelins are a reasonable priced tyre , narrow to cut in and work well enough for gloop.
I turn to my Stooge single speed for inter and currently will have its Michelin muds put back on this weekend , ready for the mud plugging from now on. They are pretty good tyres but are pretty soft and find the rear does loose its tread quite quickly but it does give decent traction , considering I am on a singlespeed where torque takes over from spin on the loose mucky stuff.
As for e-bikes. The wife nearly had a few tank slappers a few weeks ago when we found a wet sharp climb and its all about control than tyre. She went at it with too much power and the back just kept sliding around on her.
Its all good fun though , re-learning the trails , lines and grip levels. But for me the Michelins are a reasonable priced tyre , narrow to cut in and work well enough for gloop.
High rollers were quite good in the wet.
I absolutely HATED maxxis DHF. They are like velcro, hard to pedal but didn't grip all that well. My buddy has them on his 29 2.3. And he has slowed down and looks like he's struggling up hills now.
Spent the summer on Magic mary/Rock Roller which was excellent in the dry.
Replacing the Rock Roller now its wet with a magic mary.
Utterly adore the magic mary. Orange compound with the heavy casing.
All been 27.5 2.6.
I absolutely HATED maxxis DHF. They are like velcro, hard to pedal but didn't grip all that well. My buddy has them on his 29 2.3. And he has slowed down and looks like he's struggling up hills now.
Spent the summer on Magic mary/Rock Roller which was excellent in the dry.
Replacing the Rock Roller now its wet with a magic mary.
Utterly adore the magic mary. Orange compound with the heavy casing.
All been 27.5 2.6.
Simes205 said:
Funnily enough I’m looking for a high roller II, can’t find a 650b 2.6 anywhere
Ive a pair that are 6 months old and not well used if you're desparate. I used them on a hard tail for a couple of months then bought a stumpjumper and bought into the myth of the maxxis DHF.Also have a pair of DHF sitting about in 27.5 2.6.
Bathroom_Security said:
Simes205 said:
Funnily enough I’m looking for a high roller II, can’t find a 650b 2.6 anywhere
Ive a pair that are 6 months old and not well used if you're desparate. I used them on a hard tail for a couple of months then bought a stumpjumper and bought into the myth of the maxxis DHF.Also have a pair of DHF sitting about in 27.5 2.6.
PushedDover said:
Kind of. I think one of the posters nailed it earlier:
Justin S said:
Ridden the Chilterns for many years and the chalky claggy areas are just that and something that no tyre will make any difference
Reality is that I'm in my 40s and while I ride regularly I'm not sure I'm good enough to feel the benefits of kevlar beads and softer/harder compounds. I also do a lot of climbing so the accepted wisdom of a more slick tyre on the rear doesn't work so well for me.That said, can't help but agree with MarcelM6 when he says:
MarcelM6 said:
I'm in clay country so a tyre that clears mud is quite important.
I don't know anything that will do really well on wet leaves and chalk.
Too much bloomin' choice tbh! Compounded by the fact that I'm an old fart, so when MBR are suggesting the Kenda Hellkat is a great budget choice at £50 I end up slightly choking on my cornflakes (own brand, of course).I don't know anything that will do really well on wet leaves and chalk.
Rain has help me this week by clearing the tyres pretty well, so hoping that I can stick with what I have meantime, just gets so frustrating when I lose grip at the top of a favorite climb. At the same time I think I'm going to keep an eye out for any bargains listed in the link provided, even though might be the wrong time of year for it.
England87 said:
I’m tempted by the Michelin enduro’s, has anyone got experience of them?
Michelin Wild Enduro came setup on my Mondraker - horrible tyres, no grip at all. I have quickly swapped back to Maxxis Minions which I also put on the kids full susp bikes, epic grip levels in all conditions and we are regular at bike park wales.SwissJonese said:
England87 said:
I’m tempted by the Michelin enduro’s, has anyone got experience of them?
Michelin Wild Enduro came setup on my Mondraker - horrible tyres, no grip at all. I have quickly swapped back to Maxxis Minions which I also put on the kids full susp bikes, epic grip levels in all conditions and we are regular at bike park wales.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff