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Long shot, but is anybody able to quantify the effect of moving to a faster rolling front tyre?
I'm running a Rock Razor (speedgrip) on the back with a Mary (soft) of the front. I'm pretty happy with that combo to be honest, but if we really are to get a summer this year (don't laugh) the Mary is overkill for the sort of rocky trails we get up here. I could switch to a Nic (speedgrip) for the summer then put that on the back for winter. However, that is going to increase the chance of ending up broken by the side of the trail, so I'd like to know how much (if anything) I'd actually gain. 1%, 5%, square root of sod all ?
Look at the rolling resistance data, not sure if there's a caulculator you can then plug it into - probs not as you say too many variables.
I'd expect it's mostly psychological (no doubt man will disagree).
IME (with tyres from about 1.95 to 2.45), the front tyre doesn't seem to make any noticeable difference to Strava times on climbs, but makes a huge difference on descents. If you're racing XC at a serious level, it might be different, but I don't see any benefit for normal riding.
"Difference"? In straight line speed? Cornering? Braking? I've found the Mary excellent in the dry, the knobs are quite close so still seems to roll pretty well, but they also corner and brake superbly. On a long XC ride a lighter, faster tyre would be a benefit, but otherwise, I'd keep the Mary on myself.
That would probably save a couple of watts, I'd expect to just about feel it.
Not sure I'd bother changing the tyre for that though - I go from MM/NN (trailstar/pacestar) to RR/RR (Pacestar with the super paper sidewalls/now speed) and get a good increase in speed, but that's faster rubber and faster tread and lighter construction.
Up hill you're going slower so the drag is a lower amount of power and a lower % of total power as you'll generally be puttign more power in, and if it's steep your front ends up with minmal weight on it.
OTOH in dryinsh weather I don' think NN pacegrip will be a tyre of utter slidy death or anything.
It'll make your front wheel faster 😁Â great if you endo down the trails.
Realistically any miniscule gains will be offset by the difference in grip/comfort/control/punctures, and of course the cost of buying a summer tyre. I'd just stick with what you have. It'll be winter soon any way 😉
Rocket Ron vs Minion ST
Strava says 5 secs/min faster
Thanks folks. 5sec/min is more than I'd expect from just a front tyre change, but I think I'll still stick with the MM for now. It's for the front of the FlareMax, which encourages suicidal speeds. The consequences of losing the front end don't bear thinking about and it's notable that I'm setting PRs on lots of climbs as it is. I'm sure a lot of that is down to new bike enthusiasm, but the MM clearly isn't hurting me too much, so I might as well stick with it. It will probably rain for the whole of July and August now anyway.