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Hi all,
I'll be swapping my tyres over in the not too distant future to save weight, with possibly the idea of going tubeless.
I've been looking at Conti Barons with the Black Chili compound for a UK all-year round tyre to replace my High Rollers (the 60a ones 2.35 each end).
Looking for something that is reasonably tacky, but is going to last a reasonable time too. It should also be quite light, but not so thin that I'll get flats easily.
Does anyone else have any other suggestions?
I use Specialized clutch sx front and rear and they're awesome. Much lighter than a maxxis equivalent, better width and higher volume and they last forever. My rear one is the same tyre I fitted to my front wheel before going to canada in 2011 and its still showing no real signs of wear. Been used all over the uk since and still square edges on the knobs! The high roller I had on the back (now replaced by said clutch) was pretty much shagged in comparison! Would definitely recommend giving them a look. The 1.5ply is great as well.
Baron on the front and Rubber Queen on the rear is used quite a bit on the enduro circuit, and a good heavy-er hitting combo for most trail conditions.
Thanks, I'll have a look at both - I kind of overlooked own-brand stuff like Specialized and Bonty , I'll look into it.
Spesh purgatory well worth a look too
HEy there - so how light do you want them to be?
I'm also a fan of the Clutch - used two for 4 months last year. Had to move off them though as too grippy for me when away fir weekends - just slowed me down on long mountain days. I keep them for Wolftrax trips these days. Ace on rocks IMO.
Might be ott for some but I'm now on Muddy Mary's - Trailstar F, Pacestar R and they roll ok for me.
As always its the balance between hard surface and off trail stuff so I'm erring on the side of 'off hard pack' Enduro type riding using these. Working for me with their only weakness, well actually its my weakness, being gravelly hardpack mebbe.
Oh, and if you want a good all rounder mebbe less grippy, but good and solid for their weight, I always liked the Spec Eskars.
HEy there - so how light do you want them to be?
The clutches seems like an amazing tire, but a little heavy at 900 odd grams.
Looking for something at least 200g lighter (I think my high rollers are around 750g).
Rubber Queen 2.2 UST BC are awesome but expensive - roll far faster than their size, weight or tread pattern may suggest. When they eventually wear out (they're incredibly hard wearing for such sticky tyres) I'm considering Butcher Control front, Purgatory 2.3 rear.
I wouldn't get too hung up on weight - the Rubber Queens are faster than the Purgatory, XR4, High Roller despite weighing more.
Baron is a great tyre but more on the muddy side of allrounder- they give away a bit on drier or harder stuff. Not as much as older mud tyres like the Swampthings etc but it's still there.
I can't see past the Butcher Control. Take a Minion, make it better at everything. Great weight for the size and durability, not too slow rolling (though make no mistake they're not fast), [i]excellent[/i] grip- haven't ridden anything short of dh tyres that can beat them in loam/loose, but they still clear in sticky mud and they still work on hardpack. Superb really. Oh and tubeless ready, and not even all that expensive.
Northwind, how's the Butcher Control in the loose stuff compared to the Hillbilly and the Der Baron? Yes, I realise I'm comparing a trail tyre to two DH tyres!
When they eventually wear out (they're incredibly hard wearing for such sticky tyres) I'm considering Butcher Control front, Purgatory 2.3 rear.
I can't see past the Butcher Control.
I'll have a look.
chiefgrooveguru - MemberNorthwind, how's the Butcher Control in the loose stuff compared to the Hillbilly and the Der Baron? Yes, I realise I'm comparing a trail tyre to two DH tyres!
Ooh yeah, unfair fight! Just role-specific really, the HB is great at cut spike stuff. The Butcher's better at everything that isn't cut spike stuff 😉 More or less what you'd expect. HB can be a bit skittery if it can't dig into something. But the stickier compound does give it decent grip pretty much all the time.
How about Hillbilly vs Der Baron? I'm sure you've mentioned having some of the latter in your tyre mountain... 😉
I do! Well, Rain King but it's the same thing. But I've not used it enough to really judge it, there is a bit of a waiting list. It looks like it should stick like spunk in the bath, though.
Hi, I race uk gravity enduro and have done the mega avalanche twice and use pannracer cinder 2.25. Never had any issues, they are awesome in thick wet mud, ice, snow and wet roots and role quick aswell.