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I entirely ride XC / trail type stuff... I have a trad XC bike (hardtail, 100mm travel, 70 deg HA etc), however I've finally caved in and ordered a dropper post.
My front tyre (Schwalbe rocket ron) is getting a bit bald. On the back I have a vittoria Mezcal which I'll leave for now until its really struggling with the wet. I want something that I can leave on all winter and will give me a bit of confidence to improve my technical natural riding which is pretty weak.
Is the HRII a bit overkill? I wonder if it will make the bike feel a bit unbalanced with loads of grip up front and little in the rear?
Or I just stick the maxxis beavers I have on - but I find them a bit less versitile on rocky stuff etc
Personally if going Maxxis a Minion DHF (or DHR2) is the more popular choice. I can't fathom why you'd not want as much grip as possible on the front regardless of what you run on the rear.
HR2 in 2.4 is better up front if it's muddy than a dhf, if you ride in mud a lot it's a better all rounder
Otherwise DHF
@razorrazoo - primarily becuase I'm imagining the back sliding out the whole time and me ending up going down hills backwards on my arse!
but I take your point...
edit.
@kimbers - not sure if I'll get the 2.4 through my SIDs, was goin to go 2.3
There is plenty of mud by me..
DHF rolls just as well as HR2, so unless price is the deciding factor, I'd go with that.
In EXO at least, 3C if possible.
All the cool kids want the back to slide as much as possible anyway, 'do you even drift bro?'
Anyhow, I'd much rather the back slide than the front give up grip halfway round a corner.
DHR2 is better than the HR2 in almost all conditions!
haha .. yes that is true.. aslo in a couple of months I can get soemthing a bit more aggressive for the rear too.
Yeah the HR2 in 2.3in (3c maxxterra) would be a good option for mixed conditions as a front tyre.
I don't like the DHF as a front tyre in the wet. Clogs up a bit too easily IME.
Anyhow, I’d much rather the back slide than the front give up grip halfway round a corner.
This. Plus super grippy rear tyres feel draggy on roads whereas grippy front tyres... don't.
Thanks guys, I'll give one a crack
On a XC bike I would want something lighter, eg a XR4 2.4 will be fine and fit with Sids.
Just on the DHF it’s not a good mud tyre - it’s fine on dry and wet hardpack and does ok on natural stuff as long as it’s not too sloppy, but I run a Magic Mary in the winter as it’s much better on muddy off piste stuff - without being as specific as a Maxxis Shorty.
I’ve picked up a 2.6” Forekaster to try on the back of my ht this winter - I did a bit of reading and people running xc ish bikes seem to run that on the front ok through winter. Seems to be classed as an aggressive xc tyre.
No comment on the HR2 as I’ve never run one - can’t really see why I’d pick it over anything else.
Balls, I'd forgotten about the forekaster.. that might be a better option, but I've ordered an HRII now.. primarily because it was cheap but actually no cheaper than the forekaster.
Have HR2 2.3 front and rear on my Anthem and the tyres have transformed it. There is a bit more drag on the road,and the weight is not cool for true XC aficionados.
But man, they are great tyres for the mud, flint and chalk that is all around my local trails. Get the 3C EXO maxx version as above.
You'll been fine when you come to upgrade your rear with one too.
Also superb tubeless.
I dislike the HRII for any application other views are available....
So no, imo...
Dhf or dhr... maybe a shorty if mud is an/the primary issue...
But it sounds like i am less on the xc end of the spectrum than you..
Personally I run a DHF until it’s too muddy, then go shorty.
Bit out of touch with xc/trail modish tyres but used to be surprised how good the bounty mud x worked as an all round winter tyre, there must be something new along those lines?
There is a bit more drag on the road,and the weight is not cool for true XC aficionados
Yeah I'm not super fussed on the weight as dragging a bit more wiehgt around during winter isnt really an issue - I normally race xc and cx but there isnt any with social distancing. I've got really de-motivated and unfit during the vairous lockdowns so just tryign to inject more fun into my bike for a few months. Come spring, if we are nearer normality with some local races, I'll switch to real xc tyres again
Balls, I’d forgotten about the forekaster.. that might be a better option, but I’ve ordered an HRII now.. primarily because it was cheap but actually no cheaper than the forekaster.
Sorry - thought it was a good suggestion 😃
Hoping it’s going to be good for me on the back of my hardtail all year round. Got a 2.6 Magic Mary for the winter and will prob be back to the 2.5wt dhf in the spring.
Have HR2 2.3 front and rear on my Anthem and the tyres have transformed it.
Same on my Anthem... I had Nobby Nics previously which were absolutely hateful. No cornering grip at all.
For me, a HR2 isn't the right tool for a 100mm XC bike. Mine has some Vittoria saguaros (I think) which I do like and work pretty well all year round.
High rollers are fine for my 140mm hardtail designed for hurling down things but I wouldn't want it on my XC bike. HR also lack knobs in the patch between the middle and the edge of the tyre, so they're great in a straight line or cornering hard, but very vague when turning slightly unless they're ridden preally aggressively and lent right over- not ideal for an XC bike. I've used them for years and now only get them for the rear wheel on my long travel hardtail, or enduro bike.