[Closed] Nobby Nic Alternatives?

In my experience, those things you get on a £50 supermarket special would be a good alternative, maybe even an upgrade for a NN. I suggest you set your sights higher and get something decent though.

High Roller II.

I was on Advantages before shifting to nobby nice recently. I'd say that the Advantages roll better and probably last longer, but the NNs are more grippy and better for the downhills. But the Advantages are a great tyre - I would highly recommend them.

@DaveyBoyWonder, not a fan of Nics then?

@coogan, aren't HR's quite abit draggier?

I love bontrager xr4s, decent weight and big with a lot more grip than nics but not too much more drag. A 2.25 one of those on the font and a racing ralph on the rear would be a decent combo.

Apologies for yet another “what tyre” thread but I’m [u]going round in circles[/u]

boom boom!

I have recently swapped from NN to Spesh Purgatory Control due to the Stan's issue and have been really pleased with them, grip seems better in the wet.

DaveyBoyWonder - Member
In my experience, those things you get on a £50 supermarket special would be a good alternative, maybe even an upgrade for a NN. I suggest you set your sights higher and get something decent though.

Which Nics were you using? Sounds like the cheap, thin ones.

I just bought some NN 2.25's from Germany for £50 delivered, would have been £90 + here. Doesnt solve the rim problem though

bigdugsbaws - Member
I have recently swapped from NN to Spesh Purgatory Control due to the Stan's issue and have been really pleased with them, grip seems better in the wet.

What's the reported issues with Nobby Nics and stans rims? Just wondering as I run Nics on my ZTR Crest rims and haven't noticed anything.

I had a Nic on as my rear tyre which tried to separate from the rim (crests) the other day. Nearly damn well killed me!

I've NN's on my hardtail. Normally I run Maxxis Advantages. I much prefer the Advantages, to be honest. Much better all round. Faster rolling with better grip

I noted on a ride with a lot of the good folks off here t'other week that only those on clown wheels weren't running Advantages. 5 or 6 STWers all running the same choice of equipment? I didn't think it was possible to ever get that level of agreement 😉

@coogan, aren't HR's quite abit draggier?

I've used them for years and now the new versions. Never really found them draggy. Had to do a couple of long tarmac climbs a few weeks back in the Alps and they seemed fine. But then, I'm never the fasted climber anyhow as it's soooooooo dull.

What's the reported issues with Nobby Nics and stans rims? Just wondering as I run Nics on my ZTR Crest rims and haven't noticed anything.

Yeah, same here, I'm runing NNs on Crests too and they've been grand for me.

I'm hoping these smorgasbord tires are going to be a decent alternative. Just ordered one of the dual compound jobbies, but we shall see....

Stans issue with Nobby Nics?I`ve not noticed any issues,et.Will I die?

If so please tell me when and how......

If so please tell me when and how......

Shortly and with a large burp from the tyre as it rolls of the rim

stans crests + nobby nics here. Run them in wales with no problem. I don't see why people moan about the sidewalls on them. Are you grinding them all the floor or something ?

There was a warning on the Stan's site about problems with newer Schwalbe - been removed now.

Ah, it's been removed in the last couple of days by the looks of it.

Anyway I'm being strongly drawn to the newer XR4, how's the weight, according to the bonty site the Team Issue TLR is only 609g.

I was using the expensive ones which On-One were knocking out cheap last summer (still £50 for a pair of tyres though...).

Just didn't get on with them one bit. Washed out too easily, very little puncture protection etc. Got rid and bought some tyres that work for people who don't just want to pootle around trail centres (which they were ok at when I took the missus around Dalby).

I'm running purgatorys on my hardtail. Plan to run them all year round, but swap the rear out for my singleply bling bling when it is bone dry (if ever).

Really impressed with them so far - grip ok, pretty fast rolling and shed mud reasonably well.

DaveyBoyWonder - Member

I was using the expensive ones which On-One were knocking out cheap last summer (still £50 for a pair of tyres though...).

Just didn't get on with them one bit. Washed out too easily, very little puncture protection etc. Got rid and bought some tyres that work for people who don't just want to pootle around trail centres (which they were ok at when I took the missus around Dalby).
Posted 41 seconds ago # Report-Post

matter of taste I suppose, but I really rate them. Not as much outright grip as High Rollers, but more predictable. They go from gripping to sliding in a more gradual way. I was always a bit nervous with HRs that they would suddenly let go.

[i]but the reported issues with Stan’s rims[/i]

Been running Crests & Advantages for nearly 2 years, nee botha.

Except once. Front tyre came off the rim on a slow speed rock bash, it was at a very oblique angle & when I checked the sealant it was pretty dry. It was/is an Exception series Advantage with the thinner sidewall.

Im rumming NNs on my Stans Flows and working very well so far
No reported problems here

I ran Maxxis Advantage Exc for a while on Stans Flow and Arch rims but found the bead very loose so difficult to set up tubeless.

I like the Nobby Nic 2.25 I have on the rear unless it gets muddy but prefer something with a little more grip up front so run a Rubber Queen 2.2 Black Chilli which is a little heavier but grips brilliantly (but clogs at the first sign of thick mud).

I went from NNs to Purgatory Controls and much prefer them.

I'm also looking for a NN alternative as mine are on their last legs. I want a good all round UST tyre for Peaks, Lakes, Trail centre type stuff. Was thinking of a larger volume up front, something like a Hans Dampf or Rubber Queen and something faster rolling out back.

Edit: What are Mountain Kings like? They're going cheap on CRC at the moment and I've got a voucher burning a hole in my inbox.

From what I have read you will be hard pushed to beat the general performance of the Nobby Nics, but I have read as you have discovered they do not stand up to abuse or last long.

Not sure if these are any use with your rims but there are tubeless options.
Take a look at Bontrager XR4 2.35 & 2.2 (Team Issue TLR) folding. 760g for the 2.35.
But if you can go to £35 then look Continental Baron 2.3 Black Chili 3ply 180tpi folding. 780g.

+1 for bonty xr4s. Made the mistake of buying nobby nics once and got rid after 2 rides - genuinely awful, they were everything you wouldn't want from a tyre.

What's the reported issues with Nobby Nics and stans rims? Just wondering as I run Nics on my ZTR Crest rims and haven't noticed anything.

The warning from the Stans site:

Not Recommend Tires
All Schwalbe tires are not recommended to be used tubeless.

Over the last two years, as Schwalbe has transitioned to offering most mountain bike tires in Tubeless Ready version, we have become aware of these tires blowing off rims unexpectedly. The phenomena is a bit unusual in that it often occurs at low pressure and may or may not break the tire bead. Rim make and model do not matter as we have received reports of, and witnessed tires blowing off of UST rims and several other brands of tubeless ready rims. Most Schwalbe tires perform without incident, but it is near impossible to identify a tire that may be problematic. For this reason we do not recommend using Schwalbe tires as tubeless.

I use NN on stans without issues, they are the more expensive EVO pacestar snakeskin DD if that makes any difference. Run them at about 20-25 psi no probs, never had a tyre burp off.

If any NN haters are getting rid of your tyres, I will dispose of them for you. 😉