I have just got a On One Wrekker. It’s great! But its GX spec which means its got the super nasty plastic Panaracers. I’m happy to spend a few quid to get the best tyres so i can make the most of the bike, i.e. large volume pretty aggressive tyres suitable for mini-enduro events and general trail centre use. What best? Hans Dampf + Magic Mary, or High rollers perhaps? I is 2.5 sensible? What casing and compound? I appreciate tyres are a very personal thing but I’d really value people experience and opinions on this. Thanks!
Dhr2 front and rear.
Or stick an Assegai in the front.
Exo+ casing with maxxterra rubber would be my preference
There's a reason they're so popular.
Big fan of Magic Mary Super Trail Soft up front, Maxxis DHR2 Double Down back. Adjust casings to your needs. Brand matching is for nerds.
I had a Hans Dampf on the back for a bit, but found I shredded the side nobs in no time.
Magic Mary up front with a Big Betty on the rear would be my suggestion, or a Nobby Nic on the rear for more rolling speed...
As above you can’t go wrong with a Mary/Betty or Assegai/DHR2 combo. My hardtail (hello Dave) is currently on a Michelin DH22/Conti 2.6 Argotal combo but this is my DH bike so no trail centre or long pedals on mine. Only slow climbs back to the top of the trails. I had the Schwalbe combo to begin with and about 12
Months on the Maxxis combo. Rate both highly. Just gone a bit more aggressive for the winter slop (when it arrives).
On an aggressive hardtail at this time of year I’d stick a 2.4” DHR2 on the back wheel.
On the front you could go Assegai if you must have a matching brand but personally I’d stick on a Magic Mary Soft /
Super trail or a Wild Enduro.
Would avoid the Hans Dampf - mediocre tyre.
Big Betty would edge out the dhr2 for grip in utter slop but it’s bastard heavy.
I have 2.6 DHR/Rekon in the summer, just swapped to MM/Hanz dampf for the winter on my Dave. The Mary is a dirt cheap bike park one but seems OK. Your doing the right thing binning those panaracers. If it's not too late you could pay to upgrade to Hutchinson griffus when I ordered mine. Heard they're pretty good, whish I'd done it.
How large a volume?
I absolutely love the combo of WTB Vigilante (F) and Trail boss (R) in 2.8 and 2.6. Got these on both my 27.5 and 29 bikes.
Go for Tough/High Grip on the front and Tough/Fast on the rear.
I prefer this combo to the classic DHF/DHRII which I ran for a while. They're both faster rolling, but still nice and grippy.
The Tough casing is really good, and I don't feel I need inserts, even with pressures in the low-mid teens.
For trail centre use irrespective of seasons I'd run a DHF up front and a Dissector at the back, but if you get into more natural terrain with mud and clag you'll want something with a bit of bite and good clearing character.
Start with a 2.4 DHR2.
Use it on the back, with an Assegair or shorty2 on the front.
Move it to the front, and put a Dissector on the back when it gets all summery and lovely.
Would avoid the Hans Dampf – mediocre tyre.
I like them, especially in soft compound. Run them front and rear on my HR, rear on the Enduro bike (MM front) and on the front of the trail bike (NN rear). Not the best in any condition but good everywhere and very predictable. They absolutely fly on the Welsh trail centre surfaces.
