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Id like to swap out a 29 2.35 front tyre with something with a little more grip on the edges. Running i25 wtb stp rims tubeless.
Basically im finding i keep crashing my bike with nobby nics but never crashed with a hans dampf trailstar. But the hd ts is too slow.
I cycle alot of roads to get to my destination which will be wet rocks and hardpack
Any suggestions maybe high roller 2 3c?
The High Roller 2 sounds like what you want, but the 2.3in is noticeably skinnier than Schwalbe 2.35in tyres (if that's an issue) and I can't vouch for how well the wider versions might roll.
Chunky Monkey 2.4in maybe, if not riding mud?
I know they're deeply unfashionable , but I find Conti MK2s to be the best of that 'light, fast but grippy-ish' type of tyre. I never got on with the shape of old NNs and the new ones weren't much better either. The MK2 rolls about as well and has infinitely better cornering grip.
(The above assumes the black-chili MK2s, anything other than that will result in a fiery death)
My NN 2.35 kept trying to kill me in muddy corners. Replaced it with a 2.35 Butcher which is infinitely better.
Im finding it just lets go dramatically without warning every now and again and i cant catch it
It came with mk2 2.25 fitted and they were really narrow even for a 2.25
Stick with the hans dampf on the front. Just set off with it at 40 psi and then when you get to the trails drop it to the desired pressure.
Minion DHF.
FWIW, both of my FS bikes have a Minion DHF up front and a High Roller II at the back.
Good times.
Continental rubber queen (or whatever it’s called these days) a gippier, more durable and just as fast Bobby nic. Just be sure it’s the black chilli version as the standard sucks donkey mob!
Sorry about the typos, bloody forum is giving me white on white typing with iPhone autocorrect. Ant see what the hell is goin g on!
Trail king for out and out grip. The MK2 is a great tyre. Race bike fast and trail bike strong. Front will last forever, 2 rears per season mostly due to low pressures making the sidewalls look ugly.
It does lack in braking traction compared to the TK/RQ though, but easy road/hardpack pedalling
Contis 2.2 are not something I'd ever run. you need to be 2.4 to have meaningful volume. I dont know why they haven't discontinued that carcass size for mtb product.
The new 2.3 MK and 2.6 version will be interesting.
The new Der Baron projekt is spectacularly grippy but super slow rolling compared to the MK2. You hear a constant pitter patter of trail debris being sent up at the down tube.
On my normal summer bikes I run mk2 front and rear most of the time and X-king rear for fast/long days. Down at 20psi though so they dont give up their grip quite so quickly. I have to add a few psi to the rear though for machine built trails to avoid them squirming about.
Minion dhf is good - I’m running it in a 2.5 Exo 3c wt casing - although you might find it draggy compared to a NN. I’ve never run a Hans Dampf to compare.
The Chunky Monkey 2.4 is very draggy on the road - I had to commute to work last week on my hardtail with one of throes up front and the 2.25 Smogasboard on the back and it was so slow!
The Conti Mountain King in 2.4 size and Black chilli compound as mentioned above might be a good answer for you actually.
I like the 2.4 Ardent as a front tyre. It's toothier than the 2.25 version and has more bite, particularly at the edges, but rolls appreciably faster than the Minion DHF ime. Maxxis seems to have its rubber compounds nailed too. Good on rocks, especially compared to Schwalbe.
Draggy on the front isn't something I've ever experienced, For my local stuff, Magic Mary/Shorty is the fastest front tyre as they allow you to carry speed through manky corners, brake late etc.. it's not always about the fastest rolling.
All depends where and how you ride, I'll gladly swap speed on the tarmac for grip on the trails.
Maxxis Ardent 2.4, job done.
Fast, blows up big and look good! Not great for slop though.
Basically im finding i keep crashing my bike with nobby nics but never crashed with a hans dampf trailstar. But the hd ts is too slow.
I think you've answered your own problem.. Don't go so fast on the Nobby Nics 😂
ermm Ii'm on 29'er nobby nic's and thinking of changing to Ardents
options
2.4 front and rear
2.4 front 2.25 rear
2.4 front ardent race on the back (2.35 or 2.20)
whatdyyall reckon then? Is Ardent Race hard / summer condition only?
thanks
Ardent Race, in fancy rubber, is far more competent than it looks and arguably a better choice for the rear than a standard Ardent, imo. I've run them well into the winter before, but I guess it depends on your regular trails.
Its supposed to be my XC bike and find it fast on the roads with nobby nic and rock razor rear. More than happy with its speed, i just wish there was more grip on the edges on wet rocks
I have an all mountain setup bike and enduro also so want to keep the xc as fast as possible otherwise i wont use it
I was kinda hoping a few people might sing the same tune with a tyre recommendation. I think a few people have said MK 2.4 black chilli and a few people ardent
Xc bike? In that case you want a Barzo 2.25. That ticks the fast n grippy box. More predictable than a nobby nic too when it slides imo.
Get the TNT G+ version if you can.
Slaughter on the back can do it all