[Closed] Front grip, Assagai / Tyre changes

I used to worry about tyre weight, and the slowing you down bit, but over the years now realised that grip = speed on my local trails, and that a 1200g tyre is about right up front for me.

On my hardtail I’m running a 2.5 Assegai Exo+ Maxxgrip and a DHR2 2.4 Exo+ Maxxterra and its outstanding.

I’ve also just fitted cushcore front and rear to try it out. (Not been out yet though)

I also have the 2.5 Assegai maxxgripp in Double Down. Which is heavier but not that noticeable.

I have DHFs in 2.6 and 2.8 in Maxxgrip but don’t like riding them now in comparison to the Assegai with the soft compound. The difference is night and day.

Always go soft compound on the front.

Cool, will soft compound get torn up with some tarmac riding? On the weekly ride I usually do around 10 miles on the road to get to the trails

How do people rate the Assegai in mud? It looks like the blocks are close together and would clog, but I haven't tried one, so no real world experience.

I’m doing mainly trail through Surrey Hills, with weekly 45km flatish rides (but through some pretty mud and soft conditions).

I reckon an Assagai/DHR is total overkill for this, far better something lighter with decent mud abilities. No idea what mind.

It may be something other than the tyre, do some experimenting with fork settings, try another stem or move your bars a bit to help weight the front end.

I haven’t used the Assegai but for all round riding in winter I’ve found a Magic Mary front and DHR2 rear pretty good. 2.35” front (addix /
Soft / snakeskin) and 2.3” rear (exo 3c max terra).

With more sloppy stuff I’ve found the Specialized Hillbilly 2.6” definitely has an edge over the Magic Mary but it’s a bit draggy on tarmac / is a bit more of a compromise on hardpack.

I’ve also heard from several people that the Wild Enduro 2.4” front tyre is a pretty good compromise between say a DHF and something like a Shorty.

I probably wouldn’t choose to run an Assegai for a 45km flattish ride if that’s something you do regularly.

Just to note the 2.3” dhr2 and 2.4” dhr2 are quite different - I like the 2.3” one as a good blend of not really being that draggy but decent all round grip. If racing enduro than the 2.4” one has more grip definitely, but for me it killed the fun a bit by dragging too much.

I found that the assegai holds mud. I’m sure when you are going Greg minaar speeds it doesn’t but I wouldn’t fit it as a winter tyre.

Fantastic thread, thanks op and not to side track but to prevent opening another similar thread as was about to!

JoeBristol I haven’t used the Assegai but for all round riding in winter I’ve found a Magic Mary front and DHR2 rear pretty good. 2.35” front (addix /
Soft / snakeskin) and 2.3” rear (exo 3c max terra).

Cheers Joe, I’m also based in Bristol and starting to find the WTB Trail Boss that came on the rear of my bike lacking grip up steep sloppy tech locally and at the FoD. I appreciate the Vigilante on the front probably isn’t the best for winter either as it clogs up really fast.

Re the Magic Mary, asking to get the right one rather than being a pedant, there seems to be a 2.35 Addix Soft Supergravity or a 2.4 Soft, is it the Soft Supergravity you reccomend?

https://www.merlincycles.com/schwalbe-magic-mary-addix-soft-folding-tyre-275-102166.html

And this for the rear;

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/maxxis-minion-dhr-ii-3c-exo-tr-650b-folding-tyre

Cheers!

Assegai works really well in all conditions - best tyre I’ve used. Much better in wet roots than a Magic Mary and more predictable as you lean it over. It is a bit draggy on flat stuff, though, but I try not to ride that sort of thing.

JP

Ass-Dissector is what you need!
I run 2.6 Assegai up front & 2.6 Dissector rear both EXO+ MaxTerra - I find them ideal for steep, rooty, technical trails & so far very good for winter, though the trails I usually ride are not usually too boggy.
For trails you will not notice the extra drag of an Assegai so much on the front, but on tarmac you probably will.
If it were me I would try the Dissector up front before investing in a new tyre.
Also work on your cornering technique - elbows out / pedals level / heels down - the front will grip & the rear will follow.

I agree with nobeerinthefridge - you will ride faster & smoother with a grippy tyre on the front.

Re the Magic Mary, asking to get the right one rather than being a pedant, there seems to be a 2.35 Addix Soft Supergravity or a 2.4 Soft, is it the Soft Supergravity you reccomend?

Schwalbe just rejigged their tyre range, I think the 2.35 supergravity soft will be overkill and quite weighty on the front, look for the 2.4 in super trail soft.

Also consider pairing this with a Schwalbe Big Betty in 2.4 super trail soft, I have this combo and has been fine the last few weeks in the slop.

Magic Mary Link
Big Betty Link

Dont be put off by the site, I ordered from them and the tyres took 4 days to arrive!

Perhaps try a DHR2 front first, it's said to have less of a vague transition than the DHF, but without the drag of the Assegai.

If you still need more, put it on the back and get something else for the front.

I'm in Dorking so Surrey rider as well

Run a DHF 2.5WT most of the year but put on a shorty 2.5WT exo Max Terra a month ago, so far impressed in the current sloppy condition and no issues on roots etc

agressor 2.5WT on the back not changed

@jp4urio

That DHR2 is what I’m using on both bikes I think. There is a dual compound version that would also do and maybe a bit cheaper / would roll a touch quicker.

I wouldn’t buy the linked magic Mary in supergravity - that’s a heavy / draggy tyre unless you’re frequently going to be banging it through really touch terrain at speed. Mine is a snakeskin soft addix one - I think they’ve recently replaced it with a new range. I believe ‘super trail’ is the equivalent - but it’s quite a bit heavier.

I did recently pickup the 2.6 Magic Mary Soft / addix snakeskin for my other bike. Looks like it’ll be better in the slop than the 2.35 and it’s a touch smaller than my 2.6” hillbilly.

https://www.merlincycles.com/schwalbe-magic-mary-addix-soft-folding-tyre-275-113279.html?utm_source=PHG&utm_medium=AffiliateMarketing&utm_campaign=phg-GB&ucpo=49512&source=PHG

I think this is the 2.35” version I’m running:

https://www.fawkes-cycles.co.uk/2488546/products/schwalbe-addix-magic-mary-soft-snakeskin-tl-easy-275-x-235-folding.aspx?currency=GBP&chosenAttribute=47468&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqdP9BRDVARIsAGSZ8Al8P0Ymu6tApOra6D4ga5qOXewK6dawO2rQbV0gySF34Y3m8WCLafEaAkRhEALw_wcB

This is broadly the same Hillbilly that I’m running - although I think they’ve improved the sidewalls. Not that I’ve had any issue with mine. On steep muddy descents the Hillbilly outperforms the 2.35” Magic Mary. It turns and brakes better.

https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/hillbilly-grid-trail/p/173632?color=272220-173632&searchText=00120-9011

Assegai is great if the trails you ride go downhill, its quite draggy and on flatter trails sucks the fun out of everything.
Does it work in the slop? If its really really wet and the mud isn't sticky, then yes. Sticky mud, nope, I found trimming the smaller knobs off made a big difference, also seemed to dig in better as more side knobs where exposed.

Currently have a Mary on the front, 2.35 trail skin soft. Works everywhere, doesn't clog. I'd like to try a Big Betty, just beacuse it would match, but, at 1200g, its going to be noticeable to the way the bike pedals.

I'm impressed with the Assegai but it does clog at lower speeds- it's not for slogging, it's designed for going fast with gradient.

Never ridden where you are, but, the Magic Mary's really good if you don't want a full on shorty-style mud tyre and want something that deals with hard surfaces better. I think arguably it covers much the same ground as the Assegai- different approach but works similarly where it counts. And it does clear way better (and grips better when clogged)

I find them ideal for steep, rooty, technical trails

The OP is in the Surrey Hills...

Awesome advice everyone! Much to think about!

Maybe a DHR on front may be the way forward to start with.

Or maybe more talent..

The OP is in the Surrey Hills…

No such trails in the Surrey Hills then??

For the sort of steep rooty techy trails, I prefer the wild enduro front to a dhf. The dhf is great in the dry, but wet loamy ruts and roots are better with the wild enduro. Slower on the flat though.

wildfires3
Free Member

Maybe a DHR on front may be the way forward to start with.

It is really good tbh.

I hated the dhr2 on the front personally - felt like it went from upright then nothing then would suddenly bite again. You have to really get it meant over to bite in corners - committed / aggressive style. I find the dhf is a bit rounded and more gradual a transition to the side knobs. Guess it’s personal preference!

I’d take a Mary over the Dhr2 on the front.

The new ht is getting the above mentioned 2.6” Magic Mary apex / snakeskin soft front and then a 2.6” Forekaster on the rear....will be interesting how that goes. Hoping for a nailed down front tyre and slightly drifty rear. Gone 2.6” to add a bit more volume to cushion the rear.

Full suss is currently hillbilly 2.6 front / dhr2 rear.

How do people rate the Assegai in mud?

Haven't used one personally but I did notice Minnaar was running DHR2 front and rear when he won in Lousa, which admittedly wasn't particularly muddy and possibly due to the flat pedally section near the bottom, but as it's his signature tyre I was quite surprised as most riders said the track had a bit of everything. Personally I'm about to swap a DHF 2.5 for a Shorty 2.5 for the winter on the full suss, I have a 2.3 shorty on the hardtail which is faster rolling and cuts through mud better than the 2.5, both 3c maxxterra

I normally ride Surry Hills and QECP with the following set ups

Maxxis Assegai's front and rear in spring and summer

Maxxis Shorty's front and rear in Autumn and Winter

The Assegai's tend to clog up come Autumn hence the switch over to the Shorty's

Im on a e-mtb so not bothered by the extra weight but even if i was on a normal mtb id take grip over speed any day especially in winter

I hated the dhr2 on the front personally – felt like it went from upright then nothing then would suddenly bite again. You have to really get it meant over to bite in corners – committed / aggressive style. I find the dhf is a bit rounded and more gradual a transition to the side knobs. Guess it’s personal preference!

Funny how folk can have perfectly reasoned but totally opposite opinions about this, and switch one way or the opposite way for a solution! Surely it's not preference though and one must be better... rounded shape and bigger gap, or squarer shape and smaller gap.

Hmmm.. stacks to think about. Maybe I’ll go with the DHF but in Max Gripp compound?

On first glance seems like the Magic Mary is out of stock in 29 x 2.6 in Orange.

In the Surrey Hills I’d go with a Shorty 2.5, Hillbilly 2.6 or Magic Mary 2.4 (they’re all about 2.4” wide) up front. Soft or MaxxTerra, there isn’t enough rock to justify super soft or maxxgrip.

Try leaving the Dissector on the back or swapping the DHF on there. You’re on a hardtail so the rear doesn’t do all that much braking!

Thanks JoeBristol and oiKeith, really appreciate your responses! I’ve recently transitioned back into MTB from the dark side and tyres are a bit of an art form... you’ve saved me a lot of spending and swapping.

I’ve gone for the Magic Mary Soft Addix Snakeskin 2.35 F, and DHR2 3C Exo 2.3 rear this time. Whilst I hit up FoD and the Quantocks on the weekends I do Ashton Court/Leigh Woods/50Acre 2 or 3 nights a week after work for fitness and take the hardest routes up, so the 850-odd gram weight of the DHR appealed this time to see if I feel the difference. I’m dropping 506g from the WTB pair (Vigilante High Grip/Tough F and Trail Boss Fast Rolling/Tough R).

I also noticed after pulling the trigger on the DHR2 there’s a WT option, I’ve got 29mm rims so hopefully I’m right on the cusp of the regular DHR2s window and the WT would be overkill.

I’ll be on non-reinforced tyres for the first time, after running 18f 22r psi on those it’ll be interesting to see how high I need to go on the supple casing tyres.

Will keep all these recommendations in mind, I’m keen to find a sweet spot for a set of winters and summers for around here!

Out of interest, would these work in summer well too or would you switch them out for something like an Assegai F and fast rolling rear?

Over the last couple of years I've used DHF/DHR2, Assegai/Assegai, Assegai/DHR2, Wild Enduro and recently switched to WTB Verdict/Judge for the winter. I'm finding the Verdict/Judge combo the best of the lot in wet and soft conditions. A bit heavy and draggy, but not as bad as Maxx Grip DD/DH Assegai's. Shed mud really well.

The Magic Mary isn’t a bad all rounder tbh. It’s a bit more wet weather orientated than the DHF but it works on hardpack ok. I know a few people who use them all year round.

Dhr2 could definitely be used all year round - it’s a much better allrounder than the trailboss. I keep the trailboss in touch / fast for dry ish uplift days at the likes of Antur Stiniog just to be sure I don’t puncture etc - although to date I haven’t punctured a single tubeless tyre. The DHR2 brakes better / has more bite on corners but rolls a bit slower. The 2.3 isn’t a slow tyre though vs the 2.4” WT version - I noticed a huge difference in rolling speed.

If you’re worried about the toughness of exo, just stick a Rimpact in the back wheel. Hunt seem to sell them individually - whereas Rimpact don’t. I haven’t had a problem as I said - for Leigh woods / Bourton slop I’m running about 18 psi in the hillbilly and 20ish psi in the dhr2. If riding those tyres anywhere faster then I bump them both up to early 20’s psi.

I mostly ride FoD and south wales and been using a 2.35 snakeskin magic mary front and 2.4 DHR 2 maxxterra rear for the last couple of winters. I highly rate the combo for having a nice balance of grip and not awful rolling resistance.

I tend to put another DHR 2 on the front for drier riding as the magic mary can feel squirmy on hardpack. I'm also quite keen to try the new supertrail casing as I imagine the lightweight snakeskin carcass doesn't help with the squirming. I also find the DHR is okay in really wet mud but will clog up in gooey mud. The mary is much better over winter.

I also wouldn't advise a 2.3 DHR on a wide rim. On my 30mm rims the side knobs touched the ground when going in a straight line and mean it wore out in record time and could break loose easily when really leaning it over as you go over the side knob (I assume that's what I felt).

My 2.3 dhr2 is on a 30mm internal XM481. Can’t say I’ve noticed the side knobs being on the ground all the time but I haven’t really paid attention. I’ll have a look tonight when out on it in the slop!

Interesting to me because I have the same tyre combination. Also 2.6 DHF and Dissector on my hardtail. But 27.5s. I have been broadly happy with DHFs on the front of various bikes year round over many years. Not the best in the winter perhaps, but do the job well enough for me. The Dissector on the other hand I am slightly struggling to find what it's really for and I don't think I'd buy another. It clogs easily so could become a battle as winter continues and seems pretty poor on roots. It's maybe a shade faster than a DHR but I think I just prefer a DHR in all conditions.

However, where are you on widths? Are you on 2.6 as 27.5+ on a 29er frame or 29x2.6s? If the latter I'd consider reducing width. My perception is 2.6 is quite a big step from 2.4. Almost like 2.35-2.5s are all just normal tyres and then 2.6 are stepping into the "plus" idea.

My frame (Moxie) needs 27.5+ or 29 really, with its low BB. And I’m enjoying the 27.5+ idea on a hardtail for now for other reasons even if it’s unhelpful for finding good mud tyres. 2.6 is perhaps near enough to “plus” for other benefits. And I haven't got (and don't really want at the mo) 29er wheels. Otherwise I might reduce width with DHR or more mud specific pattern to cut in a bit more.

We have plenty of roots and enough loose stuff that I'd ideally prefer my winter tyre combination to be good in those conditions at the expense of others. However I’m having fun with it and I'll probably persevere as I am because I've got them, but my Plan B would be to buy something else for the front, especially if I can find a 2.8 that looks a good mud option (Mary?), and move the DHF to the back.

“Magic Mary Soft Addix Snakeskin 2.35 F, and DHR2 3C Exo 2.3“

Apart from using the harder dual compound on the DHR2, this is the exact tyres I use year-round on my gnarly hardtail. Can’t fault them.

Not much talk about the Shorty on this thread. Should be viewed the same as the Magic Mary imo, with a tiny bit more bias to soft ground.

Cheers again for all your input on this guys, went out on the Magic Mary and DHR II combo tonight for the first time in the slop at 0DegC and the tyres were phenomenal. So much grip, deeply reassuring through off-camber corners or berms, very very predictable they just dig in and yet roll really well on the trail, they want you to keep building speed all the time.

In terms of off-trail and climbing, way more grip in slop, noticeably lighter and easier to spin up to speed in most places, but also much more drag on gravel or grass which you do notice, particularly at the shallower start of inclines which you just don’t have the same zipp up the starting ramp. That all balances out though I’d say and the grip makes it worth it 100 times over.

The only place I noticed the WTB Vigilante Tough/High Grip was better, at least in these conditions and bearing in mind it’s rated for dry/damp, was on flat dust over hardpack corners as you guys mentioned... there are a few corners I’m used to really hustling the front end round sharply for fun, and the Magic Mary wants smoother lines on that stuff, where the WTB had more widespread grip like a car tyre across the hardpack and so could pull those off. Again well worth losing for the massive capabilities elsewhere, it felt like a different, more capable bike everywhere else.

Worth noting for the uninitiated getting a Magic Mary to seat tubeless is biblical compared to other tyres, but totally worth the pain!

That’s funny - I’ve had no issues seating a magic Mary in 2.35 or 2.6 (both 650b)!

I think just some rim / tyre combos can be trickier than others.

Worth noting for the uninitiated getting a Magic Mary to seat tubeless is biblical compared to other tyres, but totally worth the pain!

MM in supergravity were fiddly to get on I found, really had to work the bead into the bed to get slack to get the rest onto the rim. MM in supertrail went on fine on my Roval rims, no levers and popped onto the bead first time and hasnt leaked.

Worth noting for the uninitiated getting a Magic Mary to seat tubeless is biblical compared to other tyres, but totally worth the pain!

Same as a Maxxis, never had an issue with any of the different sidewall permutations.

Still not made a decision.

Cash is a little tight at the moment so I’m either leaning towards the Magic Mary or the DHR 2 for the rear.

The MM looks about the same weight as the Asagai.

The MM is a great tyre.

I’ve been running the Assegai for a while and I haven’t had any problems with it filling with mud and not clearing. I’m in the Chilterns and it’s been pretty muddy recently.