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So, I'm singlespeeding my Ragley BigWig.
I'm looking for suggestions as to what tyres to put on it. I've got a DHF 29x2.6 / HRII 29x2.5 front/rear on my FS bike, but don't need as much grip, and would like something a bit faster, on the Ragley.
So, probably 2.3-2.4.
I'd been thinking something like a HRII / Ardent / Aggressor combo, or Hans Damph/Nobby Nic.
And I got to wondering what kind of tyre is the HRII actually for? It rarely gets a mention on these forums but I've always found it to be a decent all-rounder, front and/or rear. Any reason not to go for those?
Or are there better options for a trail/techy XC tyre that is fit and forget for most conditions?
It kind of was the all rounder before the minion / before the minion came in trail compounds.
If you’ve got it already, it’s a decent rear.
Personally I don’t like it on the front, I found that there was a mid zone that could wash out if you weren’t leant over enough for the side knobs.
Ardent for similar reasons - a classic and perfectly adequate, but there are better options these days.
All rounder combo, my vote is minion front aggressor rear. If I was forced to make a decision for life/year round riding.
I don't have tyres at all for the Ragley, but do have the HR and DHF on the FS (which will stay there for now...)
Ardent for similar reasons – a classic and perfectly adequate, but there are better options these days
Such as?
I'd not use an Ardent on the front, and last time I tried it on the rear, had forgotten how little braking grip it had, and how it doesn't roll that fast.
All rounder combo, my vote is minion front aggressor rear.
Yeah, I'm kind of thinking that.
How does a Hans Damph / Nobby Nic fare?
DHF front / Forekaster rear on my hardtail works quite well.
Although I’m a tire nerd so in winter I change out the dhf for a big magic Mary. I also have a spare slaughter so might wang that on in the summer this year for more speed.
Minion dhf and dissector
I’ve been using High Roller 2s as a rear tyre for ages. It’s a solid all round aggressive tread that works well in many conditions.
Like you say fit and forget - dust, mud… works a treat.
Another vote for Minion and Dissector, though I prefer the DHR2 to DHF up front (not much in it though).
It only exists because it's such a famous name- they'd have done better to have named the DHR2 "highroller 2" since it's just better.
(Though, that'd have meant that we wouldn't have the DHR2 front/dhr2 rear combos that I like the irony of after years of DHF front/dhf rear because the DHR1 was so bloody awful)
HR2 29 2.4/5 3c is better up front than a minion in the mud/loose because it clears better
Its the ultimate year round mixed condition tyre for the lazy mtber
My current combo is DHR2 on the front with HR2 on the rear for winter slop and for summer I live the HR2 to the front and stick an Ardent on the rear.
I find both combos very good and predictable. The HR2 is better at not having so much of a dead spot when slightly leant over and is a different beast to the old HR.
I find the ardent pretty good for drier weather or on harder ground. Found grip levels very good and predictable. The knob height isn’t massive so it gets overwhelmed in very loose conditions but I find it does roll faster.
More open than the DHR2 so clears better and digs in more, side knobs look less well-supported than DHR2, centre knobs look more ramped, bigger transition zone than both Minions. Probably only still exists for historical reasons.
Personally I wouldn't have one on the front again, I don't know WTF Orbea was thinking with this on the front and a Rekon on the rear of a 140mm bike.
Nothing to add but that the dissector is just a better aggressor with no loss of rolling resistance - only you can use it on the front in the summer.
It's like a DHR2 but not as sideways-grippy when slightly tilted. Once you get onto the side knobs it's about the same. So I liked it a lot as I was learning to ride more over the front of the bike in corners as the bike would adjust it's angle more easily.
I still quite like less grippy rears (have enjoyed Minion S/S, Rekon, Dissector, etc), but I now don't find the DHR2 as annoying as my technique has improved.
I would never personally put one on the front.
Minion or magic Mary front, minion rear for now, aggressor when the sun comes out, it rolls fast and it seems to last ages, I haven't tried the dissector, I hear its rather disposable after a short while, especially if it sees a bit of tarmac occasionally.