Needing to talk about the minefield that is mtb tyres
Discussion
I am needing to replace the tyres on my full suspension boardman as the rear is getting low and i have no faith in the front when pushing on in the corners.
It came with continental X-king 27.5x 2.2 and im still running these. I normally ride the 7 stanes trail centres in scotland so really a mix of everything of up and downhill. Nothing to serious downhill as the bike is 130mm front and rear but i push it hard downhill so really looking for something that rolls relatively well but can also handle the downhills.
I have had a look online but as there is that many options i am just confusing myself more and more.
So am open to all suggestions also is it best to have matching front and rear or mix it up
It came with continental X-king 27.5x 2.2 and im still running these. I normally ride the 7 stanes trail centres in scotland so really a mix of everything of up and downhill. Nothing to serious downhill as the bike is 130mm front and rear but i push it hard downhill so really looking for something that rolls relatively well but can also handle the downhills.
I have had a look online but as there is that many options i am just confusing myself more and more.
So am open to all suggestions also is it best to have matching front and rear or mix it up
rossco247 said:
I am needing to replace the tyres on my full suspension boardman as the rear is getting low and i have no faith in the front when pushing on in the corners.
It came with continental X-king 27.5x 2.2 and im still running these. I normally ride the 7 stanes trail centres in scotland so really a mix of everything of up and downhill. Nothing to serious downhill as the bike is 130mm front and rear but i push it hard downhill so really looking for something that rolls relatively well but can also handle the downhills.
I have had a look online but as there is that many options i am just confusing myself more and more.
So am open to all suggestions also is it best to have matching front and rear or mix it up
You might want to try over on the Bikeradar MTB forum. Loads of threads like this, lots of useful responses. That's where I go now for most MTB queries.It came with continental X-king 27.5x 2.2 and im still running these. I normally ride the 7 stanes trail centres in scotland so really a mix of everything of up and downhill. Nothing to serious downhill as the bike is 130mm front and rear but i push it hard downhill so really looking for something that rolls relatively well but can also handle the downhills.
I have had a look online but as there is that many options i am just confusing myself more and more.
So am open to all suggestions also is it best to have matching front and rear or mix it up
Basically just pick something at random which fits your budget. Every tyre thread has half the people saying a particular tyre is the bees knees and the other half say it's the worst they've ever used.
My recommendation, which will no doubt be the work of the devil to some posters, is Maxxis Advantage 2.25 for all round usability. The 'Exception Series' is the folding variant and pretty light but seems robust.
Loads of people rate Nobby Nics, which i found good in the dry but bloody hopeless on wet rooty stuff. So as I say, just pick something at random which is the right size/design/price!
My recommendation, which will no doubt be the work of the devil to some posters, is Maxxis Advantage 2.25 for all round usability. The 'Exception Series' is the folding variant and pretty light but seems robust.
Loads of people rate Nobby Nics, which i found good in the dry but bloody hopeless on wet rooty stuff. So as I say, just pick something at random which is the right size/design/price!
My standard response. Whatever you buy make sure it's the £40+ each proper jobs, not the £20 plastic OE slippery heavy wire beaded OE version with the same name that outwardly looks identical.
As you've discovered, you want more grip at the front. Wider, or a grippier different tyre. The Boardman would have come with slippery OE tyres so 'proper' ones will be much better.
I think you've got less choice with 650b anyway.
As you've discovered, you want more grip at the front. Wider, or a grippier different tyre. The Boardman would have come with slippery OE tyres so 'proper' ones will be much better.
I think you've got less choice with 650b anyway.
Edited by richardxjr on Wednesday 16th July 08:54
nammynake said:
Basically just pick something at random which fits your budget. Every tyre thread has half the people saying a particular tyre is the bees knees and the other half say it's the worst they've ever used.
My recommendation, which will no doubt be the work of the devil to some posters, is Maxxis Advantage 2.25 for all round usability. The 'Exception Series' is the folding variant and pretty light but seems robust.
Loads of people rate Nobby Nics, which i found good in the dry but bloody hopeless on wet rooty stuff. So as I say, just pick something at random which is the right size/design/price!
/threadMy recommendation, which will no doubt be the work of the devil to some posters, is Maxxis Advantage 2.25 for all round usability. The 'Exception Series' is the folding variant and pretty light but seems robust.
Loads of people rate Nobby Nics, which i found good in the dry but bloody hopeless on wet rooty stuff. So as I say, just pick something at random which is the right size/design/price!
I found that Maxxis Advantages were terrible for me. Everyone seems to be different (and I'm sure the magazines that review tyres get loads of back-handers), but as long as they are from the major brands they should be good.
For current season I use a Maxxis High Roller 2 up front, and Advantage out back. If it gets even drier on my local trails I switch to an Advantage up front, and a Cross Mark out back. Cross Mark being the less treaded, least rolling resistance, Advantage being a bit more aggressive for cutting through with a bit more rolling resistance, and the HR2 having better turn in grip when it still a bit boggy or loose in the off camber fast corners. I think my HR2 is a 2.35, whilst the others are 2.25. I definitely advocate trying to get a shade more bite at the front, with a bit less rolling resistance at the back.
Full winter bogfest I run a skinny pair of Panaracer Trailrakers. They're rubbish when riding to the trails, but amazing at providing some level of grip! If I keep the above set up on during winter and try the local single track decents (which don't drain at all), I either go stupidly slow or crash!
Each to their own, I've only ever run Maxxis just because it's what my LBS keep in good stock with lots of options. My new bike will be 650b so I might explore a bit more when that arrives.
Full winter bogfest I run a skinny pair of Panaracer Trailrakers. They're rubbish when riding to the trails, but amazing at providing some level of grip! If I keep the above set up on during winter and try the local single track decents (which don't drain at all), I either go stupidly slow or crash!
Each to their own, I've only ever run Maxxis just because it's what my LBS keep in good stock with lots of options. My new bike will be 650b so I might explore a bit more when that arrives.
BOBTEE said:
Conti Rubber Queens 
Now known as Trail Kings - but they must be the black chilli version.Also Schwalbe Hans Dampf - Trailstar front pacestar rear (this is what I run).
Oh and go tubeless and run sensible pressures - 22psi front, 27psi rear for me before I start noticeably banging the rim.
Edited by ndg on Wednesday 16th July 10:38
GraemeP said:
For current season I use a Maxxis High Roller 2 up front, and Advantage out back. If it gets even drier on my local trails I switch to an Advantage up front, and a Cross Mark out back. Cross Mark being the less treaded, least rolling resistance, Advantage being a bit more aggressive for cutting through with a bit more rolling resistance, and the HR2 having better turn in grip when it still a bit boggy or loose in the off camber fast corners. I think my HR2 is a 2.35, whilst the others are 2.25. I definitely advocate trying to get a shade more bite at the front, with a bit less rolling resistance at the back.
Full winter bogfest I run a skinny pair of Panaracer Trailrakers. They're rubbish when riding to the trails, but amazing at providing some level of grip! If I keep the above set up on during winter and try the local single track decents (which don't drain at all), I either go stupidly slow or crash!
Each to their own, I've only ever run Maxxis just because it's what my LBS keep in good stock with lots of options. My new bike will be 650b so I might explore a bit more when that arrives.
I take you mean Ardent?Full winter bogfest I run a skinny pair of Panaracer Trailrakers. They're rubbish when riding to the trails, but amazing at providing some level of grip! If I keep the above set up on during winter and try the local single track decents (which don't drain at all), I either go stupidly slow or crash!
Each to their own, I've only ever run Maxxis just because it's what my LBS keep in good stock with lots of options. My new bike will be 650b so I might explore a bit more when that arrives.
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