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Looking for some tyre advice – I got a new set of tyres, Nobby Nic up front and Rocket Ron rear, set up tubeless and I run them at about 20 psi, in 29 x 2.25, both in the top of the range speedgrip (blue stripe). I’m new to MTB, from the road.
When I first fitted them was really impressed, started riding up slopes that I previously didn’t have the grip for, gained speed and confidence.
2 months later and I’ve noticed that that grip has gone and on my last ride was noticeably spinning out more and having to put a foot down, under power on steep sections. Admittedly it has got wetter. The centre blocks on the RoRo have worn down a bit, you can still see the small indents, but they are definitely smaller and I think that’s causing me to lose traction. When riding generally I’ve no issues with traction and they seem good, although I’d like more traction on steep, damp descents, that’s probably the nature of the trail and my confidence than a reflection on the tyre.
I ride the MTB about twice a week, usually 2 to 2.5 hours at a time, but that includes an hours riding on the road to get there. Is this wear rate unusual? Off road I’m mostly on forest trails.
Now that the wet is going to be here more often, what rear tyre do you recommend? I’d like to stick with Schwalbe. Is something like that Racing Ralph going have a different wear rate and offer the grip when I need it?
Thanks.
but that includes an hours riding on the road to get there
That's your problem right there I suspect, that'll wear out pretty much any MTB tyre I'm afraid.
The other thing is, schwalbe knobs are really good- which is why the performance often goes off so dramatically as they wear and lose shape. Whereas other brands tend to pretty much throw sticky rubber at the same problem, and maybe not be quite as sharp when new but more tolerant of wear.
Is this wear rate unusual?
Sounds pretty normal. Riding on road will chew up knobbly tyres.
Not surprised by the rear, but I've run a Specialized Ground Control on the front for two years, probably over 2000km, including alot of road, gravel and single-track. Wear is showing, but has been superb really.
On the same riding my Schwalbe Thunder Burt's were pretty hopeless (admittedly they're a real lightweight tyre).
In my experience wet and RocketRon's can also be part of the issue.
Where do you ride?
What kind of rider + terrain do you like to ride?