Looking for fast rolling and lightweight summer tyres but tough enough to survive more than five miles of flinty south downs.....they are to go on a Procaliber and used for 40-80km XC loops.
What do people recommend?
I've used Bonty XR1/2/3 in the Lakes and they've survived, although I suspect a well placed flint will slash pretty much anything XC, so it's a question of luck whether you get through a season on them.
Last year I had a Vittoria Peyote on the front, XR1 on the back for XC stuff. No issues.
I'll recommend Maxxis Rekon ( or Ikon if you want no grip at all)
T
Someone will be along in a second to recommend something that sounds like Bescal, then 98% of the subsequent posters will enthusiastically agree with them...
In 3,2,1...
I’ve used Bonty XR1/2/3 in the Lakes and they’ve survived,
I was going to suggest XR2s. Maybe a 3/2 combo or 2/1 combo depending on preference.
I've just set mine up with some conti's - Cross King front and Race King rear, held up nicely round Thetford over the weekend and felt quite fast.
Came here to say XR2s.
I run Conti Cross King Protection (F) and Race King Protection (R) they're both fast and tough, my lad is on Maxxis Ikon (F) and Rekon Race (R) equally fast and tough enough, just don't buy Schwalbe
I'm running a Vittoria Barzo in the front and a Mezcal on the back. It gets me through most things. Worth having a Barzo for the back if it is a mud fest but I still managed all winter with a mezcal.
Got friends who run the rocket Ron/racing Ralph combo. I really like the Ralph on the rear. Worked well. The 2.35 was fast and grippy.
Not run maxxis or conti tyres recently. I think they are all fine. Just a question of volume, availabilty and price. Barzos are still money in 2.35 but actually quite cheap in 2.25.
Specialized Fast Trak/Renegade for me at the moment, super fast rolling and plenty of grip for xc.
XR2's came with the bike and lasted about five minutes. Great tyres but too flimsy.
Had no intention of buying Schwalbe
Always beena fan of Maxxis but havn't used Conti for a while so might check them out
I have 2 Specialized S-Works Fast Trak 2Bliss Ready 29 X 2.1 sized tyres for sale. Brand new in a box if it helps.
https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/s-works-fast-trak-2bliss-ready-t5-t7/p/203409
I think the S-Works might be a bit too light and review says prone to punctures. Probably similar to my XR2's which has sealent spraying out of them all the time! Good race tyres but too light for everyday use perhaps.
Has anyone used Hutchinson Python 2 TRs? I have Hutchinson Overides 650b on my gravel bike and really rate them - light but tough. Pythons are quite a good price at CRC....
On the basis that nobody has mentioned it yet I’m saying Ardent.
I live in the South Downs and use Maxxis Ikon, Ikon Race, Rekon etc, exo casings and they work for me on a fast hardtail
Specialized Fast Trak T7 Grid 2.35 front and rear if you need the flint protection. Can be had for £30 an end if you shop around.
Proper 2.35 / 60mm width as well.
SDW mincer here - run tubeless spesh ground control front, fasttrak rear. Could also go fasttrak on the front when it's drier
I usually put a Nobby Nick on the back in the winter.
My lad rides an Xcaliber and runs the popular Mezcal/Barzo combo.
No issues with flint with either of those pairings on long days out around the SDW
Just swapped back to my Rekon/Ikon summer combo at the weekend. Probably explains the weather forecast for later today.
Ardents are a fast trye
@clubby - yeah thanks for that, I cycled in this morning over Firle but I have a feeling I will be taking the van on the way home!
Ardents are a fast trye
But slow when compared to truly fast XC tyres
2.35 Ray and Ralph here, in the Super Ground casing. Spent a while on Conti, Maxxis, Vee and Vittoria but have gone back to Schwalbe for predictable fast performance.
Plan to pick up a set of Wicked Wills to try at some point too.
Schwalbe Racing Ray / Racing Ralph tan wall.
Is it still possible to find Captain Controls in a good size? They stopped importing them to the UK, last time i got a set I had to import from the states but they are bloody superb. Fast, way grippier than they should be, but also they've got trailbike-ish manners so they slide really nicely, don't ping around like racier rubber tends to.
One of the best tyres specialized have ever made and they refuse to sell it to you 🙂
Wolfpack: Cross front, Speed rear.
Tan wall IME are have weaker side walls to the standard tyres.
@Northwind Captains are fully discontinued now so it'll only be what is hanging around in the dark recesses of people's garages left.
The newest Ground Control rides pretty much the same.
WTB Nine Lines just because no one else has mentioned them yet. Got them on the monster cross in 2.25’s and are great.
If it’s dry enough for a rekon up front it’s dry enough to put an aspen on the back. I don’t do so much on the south downs these days but ardent front aspen rear was a combination I used to like on the south downs.
I am tempted by some of vittoria combinations above next time I need new tyres though, just for a change
Another one for the Specialized FastTraks
Specialized FastTraks here too. I use them for xc riding all year.
Racing Ray on the front and Conti Speed King on the back for similar rides in the SE on my 27.5 xc bike.
Speed King weeps sealant constantly and has a small hole on the side wall from a pinch which appears to be sealed for now. Hopeless/highly entertaining in mud.
Vittoria Mezcal / Barzo combo tend's to be a popular go to setup for ultra distance bike packing racers. Very durable and long lasting, they also roll very well
I must say that I’ve always wanted to try that vittoria combo but perhaps on a more bikepacking oriented bike - which I don’t own at the moment.
Edit... For Speed King read Race King fwiw...🙄
30% off on Vittoria tryes in the members zone. Not sure how that stacks up against other offers but may be worth a look.
I've been running a cross king protection out back 9 months a year (Storm Control in the real slime).
That's so far proved fairly resistant to SDW flint and bashing round the odd trail centre. I'm relatively delicate for a 90+kg rider but I'm still a bigger lump!
You might go one tyre model racier (Race King?) if you want distance/outright speed. Me I want no more scar tissue!
I have Mezcals front and back. I wouldn't call them lightweight, but they are quick and pretty tough.
Incidentally I have been chuffed with every Vittoria tyre I've ever owned. I tend to look to them first when I need tyres as they have been so reliable.
Another vote for the Mezcals, run them all summer long and around SDW too never had an issue. Interesting someone else mentioned Ikon as I wanted to love them, and it might just be my bad luck, but shredded two, had no similar issue with Mezcals over last three summers now.
James
