Tyre choices (XC and DH)

[james239]

My Netve AM came with a Fat Albert front and Nobby Nic rear. Both 2.4 inch, I'm assuming for harder XC/light DH as its an AM bike.

Done loads of miles in the three months I've had the bike and given the tyres a lot of abuse. The rear is pretty shagged by the look of it. Quite a few of the nobbly bits have broken off - soft compound maybe?

Thinking of replacing both tyres with something thinner (2.1 inch maybe) and get some heavy duty tyres to stick on for the occasional DH I do.

Any particular tyres people recommend? I know it's one of those impossible questions but thought I'd ask. To make it more complicated my riding is very varied - new forest and surrounding area XC (muddy/fine gravel/sandy in places) and Winchester area/south downs (quite chalky) and regular trips to trail centres.

Also - what are peoples recommendations for DH tyres?

I'm aware people will probably just recommend what they use but it gives me a starting point before shopping.

[Jimbo.]

DH: High Rollers/Minions dependant upon conditions, or if feeling spend Conti der Kaisers. 'tis all you see in the Alps!

Everything else: I like Maxxis Advantages. Big fat things even in 2.25 width, but run 'em soft and they're beautiful. Rocked in the Dyfi Enduro last year. Cheap to. If feeling richer, Conti Mountin King IIs, Race Kings or X-Kings. Volume is good!

[james239]

Thanks. Some guys recommended Minions last time I did some DH and they were by far the best/fastest guys there so figured they must be decent tyres if they were using them but I forgot the name almost straight away!

They said they come in front/rear options but one isn't as good so they were using the same tyre at both ends - anyone else heard that and if so which is it you use?

[Janosh]

I use the UST high roller / minion combo on my dh, and the missus uses the single ply (lighter) highrollers on her am bike.

You cant go far wrong with the maxxis tyres!

[Jimbo.]

james239 said:

Thanks. Some guys recommended Minions last time I did some DH and they were by far the best/fastest guys there so figured they must be decent tyres if they were using them but I forgot the name almost straight away!

They said they come in front/rear options but one isn't as good so they were using the same tyre at both ends - anyone else heard that and if so which is it you use?

IIRC it's High Roller front and Minion rear which is the preferred combo. In the Alps I was running dual-ply High Roller front and rear. 2.5, Super Tacky 42a front, and "normal" 60a rear. I'd run a 42a at both ends next time and put up with the shorter life at the rear

[james239]

What sort of pressure do people run for DH?

My current tyres (fat Albert/Nobby Nic) are about 50psi max I think. I run about 35 for XC although have dropped a little recently to grip in the wet.

Got some minion's for DH use and it says they have stronger sidewalls so you can run lower pressures and still not risk pinch flats. The sidewalls advise 35-65psi though which still seems pretty high to me!

[Janosh]

35-40 for DH should be plenty. You might not get pinch flats with thick tubes, but you'll still ding your rims if you run lower pressures.

[ndg]

I run my fat albert front at 30 and nobby nic rear at 35psi, would go a bit lower but my rims are too narrow really and the tyre starts tucking in.

I'm 82kg dry BTW

[antspants]

james239 said:

Thanks. Some guys recommended Minions last time I did some DH and they were by far the best/fastest guys there so figured they must be decent tyres if they were using them but I forgot the name almost straight away!

They said they come in front/rear options but one isn't as good so they were using the same tyre at both ends - anyone else heard that and if so which is it you use?

The preferred combo (only learned from recent research not personal experience) seems to be either minion front and hr rear, or minion dh front on both ends.