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I've been running High Rollers for the last couple of years but this year I seem to be riding in the mud a bit more, what's a step up for wet / mud without going for something that I'm going to hate peddling up hill?
I've got a Magic Mary on the way (currently about £30 at Merlin) and want to try something a bit chunkier on the back too.
Bonus points for a link to something not too expensive in 27.5 x 2.5-ish.
I know tyre threads get out of hand easily and I did try searching for the previous one someone started but all the search finds is winter tyres for your car!
Cheers.
the continental barron is a good winter back tyre, in my experience
Dhr2, dd 2.3, use it all year on the full suss without any issues
Continental Kryptotal R. Argotal on the front is a good combo for winter.
Merlin have the Betty 2.4 supertrail for £30, goes well with a Mary on the front and you get to be all matchy
Agh! I should have probably bought that at the same time.
I wasn’t going to bother changing the rear but thought it was about time I have something else a go.
Kryptotal looks interesting too.
shorty.
shorty
I don't think I want to pedal one of those up hill do I?
I like the DHR2 a lot as a rear tyre - the 2.3 is remarkably quick rolling for something with quite a lot of grip. The 2.4 has a bit more grip but rolls quite a lot slower.
However, Maxxis prices have gone up a lot - so after getting some Specialized tyres on a bike a few years back I've been experimenting with them. The T7 Butcher Grid (or Grid Trail) 2.3 is a really reliable rear tyre - it doesn't have quite as much braking grip as the 2.3 DHR2 but it's pretty close, rolls as fast, has as much pedalling traction, corners as well, plus it's bigger volume than the 2.3 DHR2 (I think it's slightly bigger then the 2.4 DHR2). Paired with a Hillbilly or Magic Mary up front you've got a great all-conditions set of tyres. The T9 versions are great on the front but I prefer the wear rate (and thus sharper taller tread blocks for longer) of the T7 on the rear, as I don't mind it going sideways a bit more often.
The new Continentals look great but I haven't tried them.
ah, I didnt read the rear tyre bit.
DHR2 then.
DHR2 is excellent in the winter. 2.3” one gets decent grip - I’m running a 3c maxx terra exo version on my 29er. The 2.4” doesn’t sound much bigger but the knobs are much bigger. Excellent for grip in slop - but drags a bit more.
Big Betty seems to be a turbo charged dhr2 effectively - but it is a heavy thing so I’ve swerved it.
What's the difference between these then? Both 3C, Both MaxTerra, Both WT. Only difference I think I can see is £7 and "Kev" in the discription?
https://www.merlincycles.com/maxxis-minion-dhr-ii-kev-3c-exo-tr-folding-mtb-tyre-275-77047.html
I guess the natural step up from a HR is the DHR II, under £50 isn't crazy money.
And yes you're right the Big Betty does look a fair bit heavier.
Tyre specs make by head hurt!
I’d have the MM on the rear as well.
Shorty front and DHR2/MM or whatever at the back, if you're not going to be riding boggy stuff, then the Shorty could be replaced with an assegair or the likes.
Winter riding i find that the front matter more for me, and going up hills the rear is the main drag, so always tend to go shorty front.
What’s the difference between these then? Both 3C, Both MaxTerra, Both WT. Only difference I think I can see is £7 and “Kev” in the discription?
https://www.merlincycles.com/maxxis-minion-dhr-ii-kev-3c-exo-tr-folding-mtb-tyre-275-77047.html
I guess the natural step up from a HR is the DHR II, under £50 isn’t crazy money.
And yes you’re right the Big Betty does look a fair bit heavier.
Tyre specs make by head hurt!
I reckon the cheaper one might be a listing error and is not actually 3c maxx terra and is just dual compound. The actual drop down box doesn’t list it as maxx terra
The dual compound works ok and lasts much better - the 3c does better on wet rocks I find.
If anyone wants a free Minion DHR2 Double Down 2.3 and is local to Brendon Village (near Lynton) in North Devon, feel free to pick it up from my parents.
One caveat....it has a pinch flat right next to the bead, doesn't look that big so maybe it could be plugged?. It had about 3 short rides last Christmas and its been sat in their garage since.
I live over in Dublin so its of no use to me, I'd rather someone tried fixing it than it just getting chucked in the bin...especially at 60quid each!
Send me a PM if interested.
From the equivalent tyres in different brands thread, WTB Judge seems also be worth a look. Only £30.
While the Shorty loves mud and dirt, I've found it can be a bit sketchy on wet roots, slimy rocks and so on, I mean, OK most tyres don't like either of those things, but the shorty is just a tad unpredictable, it'll grip, then let go, or just slide out, unless it's super manky then I just stick 2.4 DHR II on both ends.
Long time Maxxis user here.
However I've switched to Contis on my eeber and been very impressed.
Argotal supersoft front, Kryptotal soft rear. Seems really good in mud AND roots, rocks.
All my other bikes will be getting switched over when they have stock of exactly what I want.
Judge is mentioned above and at a good price. Just note the weight of the thing - I don’t need that much tyre on the back personally as I don’t tend to break exo casing tyres but YMMV
I'm not sure that many of the tyres suggested would be a step up from a HR2 as a rear tyre though.
The HR2 is arguably a better winter tyre than the DHR2, being a bit more toothy and with more space between knobs.
Basically, I'd just try the Mary on the front first OP.
I’m not sure that many of the tyres suggested would be a step up from a HR2 as a rear tyre though.
The HR2 is arguably a better winter tyre than the DHR2, being a bit more toothy and with more space between knobs.
Basically, I’d just try the Mary on the front first OP.
This is why I hate buying tyres 🙈😂
I thought I had a plan and then someone throws this into the mix!
Dhr2 brakes and drives better than a HR2 I think. HR2 perhaps has the edge cornering / in deeper slop but it’s meant to be quite draggy. Otherwise why would loads of people swear by dhr2s on the back for winter and not the hr2?
Well I went for a Kryptotal Enduro in the end, just fitted it. It's quite chunky, I might regret this on the climbs but bike looks winter ready now 🙂
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That does look quite chunky - you’ll have to update how you find it! Looks like you should have decent grip between that and the Mary
Got your money's worth in terms of knobs there 😀
Those side ones look like they mean business.
On the subject of rear tyre choices - I've just popped a Wild Enduro Front on the rear, after being recommended to try it. Really impressed so far.
Kryptotal looks good.
I’ve just popped a Wild Enduro Front on the rear, after being recommended to try it. Really impressed so far
I have wild enduro's and am also thinking of getting another front and putting the existing front on the rear. Now I'm not expecting it to be great, but is it still reasonable for a tarmac slog to get to the trails? Are you running an insert?
I have wild enduro’s and am also thinking of getting another front and putting the existing front on the rear. Now I’m not expecting it to be great, but is it still reasonable for a tarmac slog to get to the trails? Are you running an insert?
Only done a couple of hours so far, but it didn't feel draggy at all (while riding with a fitter mate and recovering from Covid). Yes got a Rimpact in it.
Mine is the Gum-X and I wasn't that impressed with it as a front tyre in winter, I've now got a Magi-X to try which will hopefully be a bit better.
Ok, thanks. I will give it a go. Probably gum-x front and rear though as I am happy with the gum x front.
I’ve just popped a Wild Enduro Front on the rear, after being recommended to try it. Really impressed so far
Eldest_oab has run a few pairs of these through to worn out. He really rates them for properly gnagery and muddy riding. The Gumx on front is ace, like riding in putty on the back so he goes the harder compound.
However, he keeps heading back to Maxxis...I suspect as he keeps seeing them cheap, but maybe not..
Mine is the Gum-X and I wasn’t that impressed with it as a front tyre in winter, I’ve now got a Magi-X to try which will hopefully be a bit better.
I’ve just taken the gum-x 650 WE off my hardtail (swapped for a 2.6” Magic Mary) as in the greasy slop it was struggling. But so far the magi-x 29er version is doing quite well. You can hear how much harder the rubber is as it rolls along the trail. Haven’t found it’s gone hard and slippery yet like some reviews suggest it can do.