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It's that time of year where I start to bring the full bouncer out of hibernation and not really sure if I want to keep the stock Specialized Butcher grid. Which is fine for the most part but I never feel fully confident with it and am wondering if there are sensible wider options available.
Something like a Bontrager Xr4 in 2.6 or one of the Maxxis 2.5 options?
I also want to keep weight to within the realms of 1kg. Most of my riding is in the south east with the occasional foray in to Wales.
Enlighten me please!?
Mmm. Some of these are over 1kg but, imo, these are goo enough that I've not bothered looking for better.
Minion 2.5 3C DHF is basically the Butcher but more so, one step up from the in terms of everything- size, grip, drag, weight. It's a pretty logical choice if you mostly like the Butcher but don't trust it. It's not as OTT as it sounds, but it's definitely a lot of tyre. If you ever think "bloody hell, this butcher is hard work, then no. But it can do anything apart from roll fast, bags of confidence and safety margin, I like it because I can screw up really badly and it's got my back.
If you're more on hard stuff then the 2.4 DHR2 3C is pretty damn fine too- it doesn't have the teeth of the Butcher or DHF so it's not as good in the wet but it's a fair bit faster, lighter IIRC, and on hard stuff the grip's very similiar. Basically the difference with the Butcher is, you're trading less knobbles for a slightly better compound. And a bit less heavy duty sidewall,if that matters to you.
I really want to try the new 2.6 Butcher with the new compound, but it's £50
Alternatively, just fit a random tyre and tell yourself it's amazing.
thanks @northwind
If you’re more on hard stuff then the 2.4 DHR2 3C
As hard as you can be in England! We seem to have mud even in summer! But generally I am not barreling down a hillside in mid winter on this bike so it is more for the summer months. and can always swap back to the Butcher if needs must for the wetter months.
The new 2.6 Gripton Butcher.....I've heard that if you thought the old one was slow....you ain't seen nothing yet.....
E13 TRS Race is a pretty big tyre, comfortably larger than a 2.4 WT DHR or a Spesh 2.3. Very confidence inspiring if not cheap.
I've been very impressed with my Continental Der Barons - 2.4 but comes up bigger than a Maxxis 2.4. Stiff carcass, so can feel harsh, but really reassuring if you run fairly low pressures and/or like pies. Good in the wet/damp/dry loose not as good as a pure mud tyre in absolute gloop; also deceptively sticky (more so than the profile would suggest) on hard stuff.