Winter XC Tyres

[Pothole Racing]

In need of some winter XC tyres for my 29" hardtail.

What are people running?

Looking at potentially DHF front and Ardent or Rekon rear. Don't want anything too draggy on the rear and don't need anything too grippy up front.

Currently have a Ardent Race front and Ikon rear, great in summer conditions, not great in the winter mud

[maccas99]

I was just looking into the same - I was thinking a Schwalbe Magic Mary for the rear but wasn't sure if the same should go on the front...?

[Pothole Racing]

I use one on the front on my trail bike during the winter great for biting into the mud but wouldn’t put one on the rear, tried one on the rear but was very draggy.
I think a Magic Mary would be a bit overkill for XC rides depending where you are riding.

[WestyCarl]

I've just fitted a pair of Maxxis Forecaster's to my hardtail. I'll let you know how they go.

[GravelBen]

I wouldn't describe a DHF as an XC tyre or 'not draggy' myself, but I guess its all relative and I haven't tried that many other options to compare.

Bontrager XR4/XR5 might be an option? I've swapped my rear from a 2.3 DHR to a 2.4 XR4 and it feels much less draggy without giving up too much grip, but the XR5 would bite better in mud (Or the SE4/SE5 versions which are same tread pattern with burlier casing).

FWIW I weighed the tyres when I swapped them over - XR4 29x2.4 791g, DHR2 29x2.3 880g, DHF 29x2.3 I don't seem to have kept a record but IIRC it was just over 1kg. So there is quite a difference in tyre weight there.

For my general trail riding I think I'll try XR4 front and rear this summer (NZ so just coming into summer now), but might swap back to the DHF/DHR combo in winter when it gets muddy again.

A mate who is a keen XC rider just put some Rekons on and was grumbling about them being horrible in the wet.

Edited by GravelBen on Saturday 7th November 00:05

[Pothole Racing]

Bontrager weren’t really on my radar for tyres, had a quick look and the tread pattern on the XR5 is very similar to a DHF/DHR and the XR4 is similar to a Aggressor but slightly cheaper so could be an option.

I ride mainly in the South Downs where during winter the mud turns into a lovely chalky clay! So need something that is still fast(ish) rolling up front but can clear/bite into the mud. That was my thinking for a possibly DHF up front.

[RDBx]

I've gone from a High Roller ll front and a Rekon rear to Magic Mary (orange stripe) front to Hrll rear.

The Rekon struggled as soon as it got wet and claggy. New combo works well in everything but a horse churned bridleway (2.6 wide), but is definitely draggier. The MM is impressive though.

[PomBstard]

I've been using Ardents F&R for a couple of years as year-round tyres. They're a compromise, but have worked well on dry rocky trails and through mud without causing too much drag. I tend to ride to the trail, so am conscious of carting the tyres around on tarmac/concrete too. And I can't be arsed to change the tyres according to the trail, so I go with what's on the bike. A friend uses Magic Marys F&R across all sorts of trails and likes them a lot.

I'm not a fan of Minions for the drag they carry - I don't get enough benefit from the extra grip going down to offset the grief they give when the trail goes up. And I'm not a fan of High Rollers either - have just never given me confidence to really lean on the tyre. Crossmark on the front gave me the same feeling, though on the back feels OK.

[WestyCarl]

WestyCarl said:

I've just fitted a pair of Maxxis Forecaster's to my hardtail. I'll let you know how they go.

Was very impressed, compared to my summer set up of Rekon Race / Ikon.

Rolling resistance seemed very simlar, maybe a touch increased but the grip was good. Most of my ride was in woods, covered in wet leaves / roots with patches of wet mud, with no sketchy moments. Covered 50miles on Sunday and was happy with them (they are also quite light)

[Pothole Racing]

WestyCarl said:

WestyCarl said:

I've just fitted a pair of Maxxis Forecaster's to my hardtail. I'll let you know how they go.

Was very impressed, compared to my summer set up of Rekon Race / Ikon.

Rolling resistance seemed very simlar, maybe a touch increased but the grip was good. Most of my ride was in woods, covered in wet leaves / roots with patches of wet mud, with no sketchy moments. Covered 50miles on Sunday and was happy with them (they are also quite light)

Cheers for the feedback , sound like they could be the ones I'm after.
I didn't know about these till you mentioned them, Maxxis advertise them as an aggressive XC tyre for wetter condtions so will give them a go.

[WestyCarl]

Pothole Racing said:

WestyCarl said:

WestyCarl said:

I've just fitted a pair of Maxxis Forecaster's to my hardtail. I'll let you know how they go.

Was very impressed, compared to my summer set up of Rekon Race / Ikon.

Rolling resistance seemed very simlar, maybe a touch increased but the grip was good. Most of my ride was in woods, covered in wet leaves / roots with patches of wet mud, with no sketchy moments. Covered 50miles on Sunday and was happy with them (they are also quite light)

Cheers for the feedback , sound like they could be the ones I'm after.
I didn't know about these till you mentioned them, Maxxis advertise them as an aggressive XC tyre for wetter condtions so will give them a go.

I didn't know about them either, not sure why they aren't promoted more with the Maxxis range as they seem a good step between summer and full downhill winter tyres.