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Wanting something grippier than the current XR2 on the which the bike came with. It’s great on the rear but scary lent over on the front.
Using the Bontrager tubeless rim strip on the rear with a XR2 Team but the front is tubed XR2 comp currently.
Would a Xr3 team work ok or the Xr4 2.4.
If I went XR4 just hoping it will fit. Bikes a Trek X Caliber 7
XR3 on the front works great for me on my anthem but I'm sure someone will be along in a minute to say the same for the XR4!
I recently swapped the XR2's on my fiancee's Marlin for a pair of Hans Dampf's i found on offer. Mainly as the XR2s weren't tubeless, but she says so far that they feel improved on the bonty's
The Comp front tyre run with tubes is always going to feel horrible due to the rubber and pressure a tubed setup will have to be run at. Any Team Issue tyre run tubeless will feel a million times better regardless of tread.
There are two versions of the XR3 Team Issue. The older one looks grippy but in reality it is a bit of a nothing tyre. The idea was to have something in between the XR2 and XR4 in terms of grip but IMO it wasn't meaty enough to add any real world noticeable grip over an XR2 and still managed to feel slower. Maybe a Summer XC front tyre at a push but I wouldn't buy it again.
The newer XR3 is an XR2 they did for a while (the shallow tread version lots of tiny centre knobs) with some XR4 side knobs added (though not as deep as XR4 side knobs). The centre tread isn't that grippy at all which kind of negates the extra side knobs- if the conditions allow for the central tread to be gripping ok then you aren't going to notice of you have the XR2 or XR3 side knobs). This XR3 also adds quite a bit of weight over and XR2. They seem to market this XR3 as a tougher dry tyre rather than a inbetweener of the XR2 and XR4 like they did in the past which makes sense as the older XR3 didn't seem to offer anything compared to their other tyres. So basically, if the newer XR3 is a tougher dry tyre then you need to step up to the XR4 if you want more grip on the front and much more of a mixed conditions tyre.
As an aside, Bontrager seem to have gone back to the older style XR2 which is miles better IMO- loads of volume for a stated size an nice square knobs quite spaced out. Not quite the same as the old ones but a better step in the right direction.
I am an XC mincer and hate tractor tyres but love the XR4 2.4. It is the right balance of everything for me. F&R is great as an all rounder in Winter and if we have a really dry spell then I may be tempted to put an XR3 on the back since I have one spare but more likely I'd just run an XR1 as it feels similar speed-wise but has way more grip in a straight line (have some of these spare too).
Bontrager tyres are fit an forget and a pleasure to set up tubeless so always seem to be my go to.
I mean most of my riding is canals which are a mixture of knackered tarmac, loose gravel and gravel mixed with light mud, DONT really encounter any slop. So I’ve no need for anything other than lightweight fast rolling tyres.
However I transitioned from the tarmac towpath to the gravel cranked over and nearly low sided as the front went.
Don’t know if it’s because I’m running high pressure pressure and need to go for a XR2 at tubeless at 30psi or the Xr4
It’s great on the rear but scary lent over on the front.
There is a picture of me somewhere with the XR2 clad wheel pointing one way and the bike continuing on in a straight line...scary on the front ime.
I actually think when you buy a new bike, like they do with pedals, they'd be as well not giving you tyres.
They're generally shite.
I tend to run XR3/XR2. Enough grip for me and pretty good rolling resistance.
XR2 not tubeless? Since when? I've had mine set up tubeless for at least five years. The XR series are one of the easiest tyres to set up tubeless.
Yeah, I use XR4 Team F&R. Easy tubeless setup, great for year-round riding if you're not into tyre swapping.
I used XR2 last summer on the front. As you say, fine until you are relying on some shoulder knobs to lean the bike over. This year, using a Vittoria Peyote - got a more pronounced tread on the shoulders but just as fast when you're upright. Straight line braking on loose is still going to require care though.
The comps it came with are wire bead jobs. Only expert and team issue that are tubeless
I kept the XR4 on my slash on the rear for a few months but got rid of the one on the front. I'd much rather spend £35 on a Minion DHf for the front as they are faultless. Recently bought a checkpoint and again got rid of the bontrager tyres as they were really cheap crap for a £1850 bike.
The XR2 is a great summer tyre very fast nightmare on wet rocks XR4s are great all round tyre only thing with them on pike or fox forks job to great a Mudhugger fender etc under the tyre alright with the thin RRP one that is on Trek bikes.
Popped to the shop this morning, well 24 miles on the M66 and M60 shite to Cookson cycles in Prestwich. Picked up the Xr4 29x2.4 and tlr rim strips etc.
Took all of 20 minutes set it up, held Air without sealant beautifully then added the sealant took it for a ride and much better grip on the front.
Just need to do the back wheel but no XR2 or 3 tubeless team issues in stock till next week so I’ll do the back once it arrives. They had some at Wilmslow Trek but didn’t want to suffer that motorway any longer, whole reason I moved to the Lancashire countryside is to avoid that piece of Tarmac hell unless going to the Airport.