[Closed] DH / Freeride tyres

For medium loose to muddy conditions then choose a Swamp Thing; they are pretty versatile as they also work pretty well over hardpack, rocks and roots. In fact they are a good all round winter tyre.

Otherwise a High Roller is a really good all rounder. Wet is different to mud of course though so even if it's wet, you won't need a 'mud tyre' unless there really is mud.

The other tyre that is superb for all round winter DH riding is the Intense Intruder. Yes, the 4-ply version is super heavy (like 1.4kg per tyre!) and they are harder to get on than a wild horse but they are fantastic tyres in everything but the most gloopy conditions.

Minion Front on both wheels with a Super Tacky version up front.
Swampies if plenty of mud.

I'm currently using a dual ply High Roller 2.35 60a on the back and single ply Minion DHF 2.35 60a on the front. Both seem to be working really well for me at the minute, although the rear is pretty heavy compared to the folding 2.1 HR I had before. That being said I didn't really notice it, probably will when it comes to xc riding.

I've used the Minion on the front for 2 wet (in places) sessions at FOD and didn't slip on any roots either time. The only time it was a bit sketchy was on thick wet mud (at the bottom of corkscrew), felt very loose. Then again people with Swamp Things/Wet Screams were also having similar problems on that bit so I dunno what to suggest really! Would probably go 42a and a bit wider on the front next time for peace of mind...

schwalbe big bettys aint bad either, good weights too.

Big Betties (harder terrain) and Muddy Marys (softer terrain) are great tires, just don't use Gooey Gluey compound on the back if you are worried about drag.

i've been running a pair of panaracer fire fr 2.4 on my freeride rig for a few years and have to admit i am very impressed by their performance in all conditions. they grip superbly and roll very smoothly for a big volume tyre. i got the folding version to keep the weight down and after having them so long i'm proud to say they still look like new. i run a pair of maxxis high rollers on my dh bike, alternating them with a pair of intenses, and am a big fan of the nokian gazzalodis, so i was a bit sceptical about using the panaracers at first but i'm glad i chose them.
tyres are horses for courses though, and the choice will boil down to what type of riding, riding style, terrain, frame clearance etc...but at least you know what your options are. hope this helps.

if your tyres still look like new after a 'few years riding' then either you're not riding enough or you're jesus!

Or they're made of wood, I had a wtb velociraptor like that, it was lethal in the wet...

the intense intruder is possibly the wrongest named bike product ever!
A few of my mates have intense tyres, for some reason the dh ones (but not the xc ones) seem to get 'hard' (on the knobbles that is) a bit sooner than others but I quite like 909's as an all rounder.

Otherwise minions and swampthings are just ace.

but ideally not too draggy. Ideally reasonably light weight too.

that's not a DH tyre

Bonty FR4 seems OK on the front for me, it's around a kilo though. RQ 2.2 or 2.4 on the rear, the 2.4 is around 1.1kg though.

Re big betty's - what compound? My bike is coming with 50 :/

GW - I meant for a DH tyre.

so what are you calling light? if it's not over 1100g it's not a really DH tyre!

I run Swampies all year round. Can't be bothered changing tyres* and these are fine in the dry, brilliant in the damp and wet and OK in all but the worst mud.

I hate swampies even in mud, (no real edge to them)

bobbyspangles - thanks for that!! now everyone knows who i really am!!
i am an aggressive rider and always have been but these tyres seem to show very little signs of the abuse i have meted out to them. having said that due to a persitant back injury i haven't ridden for at least 15 months so maybe the "few years" bit was a bit ambiguous.