Did some lovely rocky riding in Wales last week and unfortunately out a reasonable sized cut in the middle of the tread of a 2.4 HR2 Exo.
I've never cut a tyre before, but I've only been tubeless about 3 years, and only started developing a taste for riding rockier stuff in the past year or so. (Previously more loamy/bike park)
Was going to replace it with a 2.4WT DHRII, but not sure if I should pay the weight penalty for a DH casing, or if I was just unlucky with the cut? DD/Exo+ only seen to add protection to the sidewall, not the tread, and as I'm riding more stuff like this I don't want this happening a lot
For reference, bike is a Patrol running Flow mk3s. DHF/Mary on the front depending on the conditions. Was running about 24psi at the time. I'm pretty light at about 65kg fully kitted.
Any advice appreciated.
Sometimes it really doesn't matter what you are running. Hit a certain rock just right and ANY tyre will cut. If it is any consolation I did the same to a HR2 Exo last week and have had similar experiences with DHR2 in the Alps as well as continental, Vee tires, Schalbes, Specialised, etc all in the protection versions, all being cut at some point. I don't think I have a tyre runnning tubeless without at least one patched repair inside. Currently experimenting with a DIY anti cut insert, tentatively named the "Cwsch Cwyr". So far so good 🙂
I'd say just Unlucky if its in the tread.
Bung a *mushroom plug in it and you'll see the life of the tyre out
In my experience if you ask nicely at Kwik Fit or any tyre repair centre, they'll hand over a couple.
Cheers all! Guess that saves me dragging round a boat anchor then!
I'll get some plugs and patch it, tyre's nearing the end of it's life anyways, it's had a good innings.
🙂
You've got a few options with maxxis, doubledown is a compromise between full on DH tyre and the normal exo casing.
Not light, but not as heavy as a full on DH casing. I know that as i'm running a DH chasing on the front at the moment after an amazon ordering fail 😀
I had in the same week two sidewall cuts on a snakeskin Schwalbe rear tyre, since changed to supergravity on the rear only and havent had any issues, but am more aware of pointy things which look like they would rip it again!
😀 we've all been there!
I'm pretty sure DD only beefs up the sidewalls though doesn't it? Not tread area.
I've had good results (or maybe just good luck..) with Michelin advanced reinforced tyres, I've previously cut Schwalbe snakeskin and Maxxis exo tyres on rocks. No problems in over a year with the Michelin and they're not too heavy either.
Exo is a standard tyre on the top/tread (the EXO cut protection is only on the sidewalls, so its not offering anything special protection wise. If you go DD then you'll get twice the rubber on the tyre with 2 layers of 120 TPI cloth. Thats more protection but its not specifically against cuts. If you want that then you need to find yourself an EXO+ tyre which brings the cut protection all the way round the tyre so thats probably a better option for what you want than a DD and has a lower weight penalty.
Exo aren't tough tbh. I think of them as a sort of durable trailbike tyre rather than a really hard use tyre. I like 'em, but I'm quite a tidy (and therefore slow) rider, I don't give them a hard time
