Rear tyre: NN, XR4,...
 

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Rear tyre: NN, XR4, or.....

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I'm looking for a faster rolling rear tyre than my current 29x2.4 Minion DHR. Love the grip, but it's just too draggy and I can cope with a dose of sliding around for some more speed.

I'm 90kg +kit, Orange Stage Evo, ride central Scotland natural and trail centres. I'm a smooth rider, tend to be wheels on the floor and I don't race.

Also, I've a tan wall front Minion at present so would like to stay on tan wall..

I've been a fan of older XR4's before. 

Nobby Nic - I've had a few, the better compound ones seem to work well.

I've also got on with Vittoria Goma before.

What says STW massive?


 
Posted : 26/07/2025 4:06 pm
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I've got a Specialized Eliminator on one bike which I like but Nobby Nic would also be good.


 
Posted : 26/07/2025 4:56 pm
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Nobby Nic is superb in 29 x 2.35


 
Posted : 26/07/2025 6:11 pm
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Love XR4, put on them today on all terrains, great 


 
Posted : 26/07/2025 7:06 pm
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XR4s are great. I put a purgatory on as had one cheap a while back and think that’s a decent grip/weight option for a trail bike (only weigh75kg though)


 
Posted : 26/07/2025 8:54 pm
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My experience, it depends what kind of grip you want.

 

Conti Kryptotal Re (Trail Endurance) - big blocks to dig in, but still fast due to hard-ish compound. Better for softer ground.

Schwalbe Tacky Chan (Super Trail Soft) - stickier compound, but also fast due to fewer blocks. Better for rocks, roots.

Maxxis Dissector (EXO MaxxTerra) - there's no good reason to buy this tyre, but it did me ok until the above launched.

 

Posted by: matt_outandabout

Also, I've a tan wall front Minion at present so would like to stay on tan wall..

 

Sorry, didn't read this! Tradeoffs...


 
Posted : 26/07/2025 9:21 pm
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Agree re. XR4s just picked a couple of virtually new ones off ebay - great combination of decent grip and lightish weight - also like XR5s that TBH aren't a lot heavier

Triton have got some decent deals on XR4s ATM https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/sale/components-c9/tyres-c125/bontrager-m30/29-t33?srsltid=AfmBOop3d_S7ugwzr2yj_T3HnBlujrwDtXKXJ_qUrt32TiNnlVrbGsyT but it may be also worth looking at the newer Bontrager tyres 


 
Posted : 26/07/2025 10:06 pm
nicko74 reacted
 RicB
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I also really like the XR4s; they suit UK trail riding perfectly

im keen to try a Forekaster 2.6 on the back too but the Exo+ variants seem hard to come by currently. 


 
Posted : 27/07/2025 8:03 am
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Where are we on Continental Magnotal?

(Floofy name aside)


 
Posted : 27/07/2025 6:26 pm
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Latest Forekaster, possibly a 2.6, the 2.4 is a little undersized, but a nice balance of grip and speed. 


 
Posted : 27/07/2025 8:38 pm
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On the basis that ypur replacing a DHR, then no way can fitting a Nobby Nic work (bad voodoo), but I agree with the above - the V2 Forekaster is a great tyre for your use case. I've used a few now.

 

 

Currently on a Nobby Nic now on the back of the ebike and i like it but it seems to be getting shredded pretty quick. 


 
Posted : 27/07/2025 8:44 pm
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Posted by: matt_outandabout

Where are we on Continental Magnotal?

(Floofy name aside)

Not had a chance yet, but they're deffo on my list of ones to try, they're likened to a Forekaster in terms of rolling performance and the mtbr.com guys who've tried them really like them. I've got a few tyres to go through before i get to ordering some of them, but they'll be on the bike in the next 12 months.

 


 
Posted : 28/07/2025 6:43 am
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XR4's are great, i do however find my back slips on steep loose over hard, where a dhr2 won't so much, at least that's my experience. Also a little sloppy on wet roots more so, but not a dealbreaker

obviously all perspective and opinion

not sure if the updated/renamed brevard? gunnison? whatever it is differs


 
Posted : 28/07/2025 7:59 am
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Wicked Will


 
Posted : 28/07/2025 1:04 pm
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I have MM upfront on both my fs and ht, NN on back of fs, Rock Razer on ht. Both combo’s work very well for what you suggest. Changed both rears from Hans Dampf as I found them too draggy for an all rounder.

Schwalbe FTW though.


 
Posted : 28/07/2025 3:19 pm
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The Tacky Chan is a great, fast rolling rear tyre ime. Run a Super Trail Soft but not sure they do a tan wall option?!

Definitely find it significantly faster rolling than an equivalent compound DHR2 or Kryptotal R, but suitably grippy for steep South Wales off-piste.


 
Posted : 29/07/2025 8:59 am
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XR4 😉


 
Posted : 29/07/2025 9:33 am
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If you like the DHR2 then 2.3 is a LOT faster than the 2.4 - fast enough that a Minion SS felt a very bad deal in a bit of extra rolling speed for a total loss of braking ability. The knobs are on the 2.4 are so much bigger.


 
Posted : 29/07/2025 11:04 am
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Posted by: stevemorg2

but it may be also worth looking at the newer Bontrager tyres

I ran a Bonty Gunnison on the rear for a while - really impressed, very fast rolling, and though it felt a little flimsy compared to the Contys, it held up well on the full fat ebike. I switched it to a Kryptotal for this weekend as I wuz hardcore downhilling at Hardline (well, Okeford Hill, which was as near as I'm ever gonna get! Man was it loose!), (and the 2.6 Bonty was slightly too wide for my new frame). Gunnison is a good summer tyre though.


 
Posted : 29/07/2025 1:19 pm
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Is the Gunnison the XR4 replacement?


 
Posted : 29/07/2025 2:49 pm
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I think theyre in denial about which tyre replaces which, but this might help

https://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/tire-finder/?


 
Posted : 29/07/2025 4:37 pm
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I’m after similar, but don’t want something that punctures easily. Fast rolling and tough doesn’t seem a particularly common combination. I’d sacrifice weight if it achieved this. Quite a few of the above appear to have a reputation for being a bit flimsy. Are there any that roll really well (e.g better than a Purgatory) but don’t flat easily in rock gardens?? 


 
Posted : 29/07/2025 8:01 pm
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Just taken delivery of an exo+ forekaster v2 for rear wheel duty in my full fat ebike. Let’s see if it adds range like Benji says it will! I’ll be running it with an insert, though.


 
Posted : 02/08/2025 8:36 am
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Posted by: TomZesty

don’t want something that punctures easily

What a strange requirement! 🤣 


 
Posted : 02/08/2025 9:36 am
 RicB
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Posted by: chiefgrooveguru

If you like the DHR2 then 2.3 is a LOT faster than the 2.4 - fast enough that a Minion SS felt a very bad deal in a bit of extra rolling speed for a total loss of braking ability. The knobs are on the 2.4 are so much bigger.

 

I run a 2.6 DHR2 on my HT (came with the bike) and it’s no more draggy than the 2.4 I had on my old bike. Makes the 2.4 seem a bit pointless really

 


 
Posted : 02/08/2025 4:10 pm
 RicB
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Posted by: Baldysquirt

Just taken delivery of an exo+ forekaster v2 for rear wheel duty in my full fat ebike. Let’s see if it adds range like Benji says it will! I’ll be running it with an insert, though.

 

where did you buy it from if you don’t mind me asking; I’ve been struggling to find the Exo+

 


 
Posted : 02/08/2025 4:11 pm
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Winstanleys. 29x2.4, though


 
Posted : 02/08/2025 7:34 pm
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Why? Just meant most fast rolling tyres seem quite fragile’


 
Posted : 02/08/2025 7:37 pm
 mboy
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