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First ride on my new Trek Fuel EX8 at the weekend. Loved it, first time on a modern MTB. However, really didn't enjoy the tyres! 2.5 Bonty XR5S.... they're like Motocross tyres ffs.
So, what all round tyre for a mix of trail.centres and riding in the Peak? I'm at the xc end of trail, not pushing it technically, would like something that rolls well. Maybe something smaller than 2.5? Not sure what current 'standard' size it.Â
Maxxis - Forekaster front, Rekon rear, both 2.4, roll pretty well and have been fine in Peak District for me
Edit to add: though I am considering going to an Ikon (or similar) on rear for faster rolling use on my local XC type trails
I've ridden Bonty XR4s for years and love them - I'm guessing they'd be less aggressive in tread than the XR5. And they come up very true to size/ generously sized; I tend to go for 2.2 if I can find them
Aye, XR4s are lovely. I use the 2.4s on my Occam. I also have XR2s on my (more XC oriented) 29er.
Magic mary on the front - gives a more planted feel then my old SE4s - both in 2.6 flavour. Works well in the peaks on my hardtail
Sadly XR4s and indeed the whole XR range have been discontinued and replaced with an inexplicable lineup. Part of the reason why XRs were so popular is that you knew, at a glance, what you were getting! Stupid Trek!
@Daffy Are you trying to suggest people don't know a Galbraith from a Gunnison?
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More seriously, how about Maxxis Forekaster F/Rekon R, Specialized Purgatory F/Ground Control R? Or even my French favourite, Hutchinson Wyrm F/Kraken R?
Maybe a daft question, but the XR5s felt ridiculously stiff, even with only 20psi in....what's going on there?!
I'm coming from a decade old bike which had 2.2 Nobby Nics on (which I loved).Â
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I've got an SE5 (same tread, different carcass) on the back currently and that's pretty stiff too. Like, even at 18psi it doesn't feel all that compliant.
It's lasted really well but it's always felt very 'sideways'. When the back end locks up on something steep, it refuses to carry on in a straight line.
It was like that on the front too which is why it ended up on the back.
It's weird. The XR4 feels good on the back on my HT but the SE5 hasn't won me over.
The XR has a harder compound I think. Or it's a dual compound type affair where the SE are 50a all over. Maybe the harder rubber contributes to the stiff feeling?
What's the difference between T7 and T9 in spesh tyres? My lbs stock them, slightly more than tredz, but still fairly cheap compared to the likes of Maxxis!
T7 is Maxterra, T9 is maxxgrip.
Came here to suggest taking a look at Specialized tyres, but beaten to it.
Purgatory is good front or rear but I'd suggest a Hill Billy on the front is better at this time of year than a Purgatory (or most of the year IME): https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Hillbilly-Grid-Trail-2BR-T9-MTB-Tyre-29-x-2-4_258082.htm
I had XR5 team issues on my Fuel EX and didn't get on with them initially. The answer was more air - they are now both pretty quick and nice and grippy. Before I'd gone a fair bit lower pressure (on both Specialized and Schwalbe tyres) to get grip. I can go and get actual PSIs if that would be helpful, but I rarely use my electronic tyre pressure gadget and prefer a squidge test.
Bizarrely, at least two friends who bought Slashes (Which come with the SE5s) found them absolutely awful; one of them was on his first ride on the new bike with me and was dumped abruptly on the ground following me through a loamy / swoopy bermed trail I was coasting through on XR5s. I'm absolutely not some sort of riding god, by the way, so I was surprised.
Try more air than you might expect and see if that changes things - mine went from draggy hell to much more speedy tyres.Â
That said, if you can't stand the XR5s, a Forecaster / Rekon 2.4 will be lovely, as will a Spec Purgatory / Ground Control. Both will be a bit less grippy but will feel (and likely be) a bit quicker on climbs. FWIW, I'm running 2.4 Schwalbes on the hardtail at the mo and loving them after having to adjust pressure.
Oh, and if they're in good nick and you don't want to keep them, drop me a line. 🙂
Holy post duplication...
Ha they've done one lap of monkey/follow the dog and that's likely all they'll do. Happy for you to send me an offer.
Gone for some Ground Controls, will see how I get on....might get a purgatory to try on the front too.