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I've never really used WTB tyres before, I see that cy is spec'ing this combo on Cotics and was wondering what people thought of them, have generally always run Schwalbe or Maxxis.
I'm wanting tyres for my Scandal build, I've got kind of moon on a stick requirements, I don't want a setup that's too draggy for riding a few miles on road to the local trails but at the same time I want something that can handle Enduro-esque descents. I'm Deeside based (NE Scotland) so trails are a mix of peaty heather, muddy rooty woods and granite.
Apologies for the not so stealth what tyres thread...
My hardtail had Trail Boss/Nine Lines and I was going to move to Vigilante/Trail Boss, absolutely fine tyres especially the 'moon on a stick' tough/light combo.
I ran Ranger 2.8s on my hardtail, light/grippy on front and tough/fast rolling on rear. They roll well but aren't too knobbly and did wash out on the front in anything other than dry conditions. The 'light' tyre skinwalls weren't a match for southern flint either.
Ranger is a bit meh... Plenty of small knobs, tend to wash out unexpectedly or slip on wet rock.
I would go elsewhere...
Cheers!
I.
They're absolute buggers to remove from rims. Just breaking the seal has given me more grief after a couple of weeks, on two different tubeless tyres, than I can ever remember on anything else, ever...
Yep, had no end of problems with WTBs. Wouldn't countenance using their tyres or rims ever again.
When I lived on Deeside I got on really well with Panaracer tyres. And Maxxis High Rollers. No idea if you can still get them, though.
As far as I can remember, the Vigilante is an awesome tyre. Really grippy - great for the front especially.
suburbanreuben
Member
They’re absolute buggers to remove from rims. Just breaking the seal has given me more grief after a couple of weeks, on two different tubeless tyres, than I can ever remember on anything else, ever…
That seems to be the way with WTB, their beads are on the smaller end of tolerance, so if your rim is at the larger end (like Stan's tend to be) then you will have a nightmare.
Getting them on and off isn't the problem. They just seem to stick to the rim like nothing else!
DT rims, stans fluid...
They’re absolute buggers to remove from rims.
This.
No issues getting them on and off rims IME.
Currently using a Verdict light/grippy on the front of my Rocket Max and a mix of Trail Boss and Judge tough/fast on the back.
Given the choice, I'd rather run Maxxis, but I'm happy enough for the money I paid. The Verdict is ridiculously grippy, albeit a bit draggy, 98% of the time - the other 2% its actively trying to kill me. The fast compound is a bit plastic-like on wet rock. The Judge is very good in mud, but very heavy and slow to pick up. The T-Boss is great on rocky or dry stuff, terrible in mud.
I hated how flimsy Rangers were in the Fast/Light casing.
I'm interested in the 29*2.8 Vigilante in high grip/tough though as a front tyre. Do they hold up tubeless ok? There aren't really any alternatives in that size.
Just put 2.25 Rangers on my Scandal, very impressed indeed so far, very fast rolling indeed but seems loads of grip too, though I live in a very flat place with dry dusty trails. I used to run vigilantes in Scotland and they are good too.
No problems putting WTB tyres onto and off WTB rims - bare hands no problem at all with vigilantes and the rangers. I think maybe people don't understand the central channel and getting the bead in that before putting on or taking off.
I ran 29x2.6 Vigilante/Trail Boss combo on my Solaris for the first six months of this year. Really wanted to like them, but found the Vigilante to be less grippy, but at the same time slower rolling (or possibly just heavier) than a 2.35 Magic Mary. Currently swapping between Magic Mary/Rock Razor or High Roller/Ardent Race (all in 2.3 or 2.35) depending on conditions and I’d rate either of those combinations above the WTBs.
2.8 Ranger & Vigilante on my Transmitter for a while now. Like them better than my previous favourite Spesh Purgatory (or Slaughter) & Butcher combination. The Ranger can be a bit sketchy in the wet but it's predictably slidy which I like. The Vigilante is possibly the best all-round front tyre I've used (maybe the 26 x 2.8 Minion DHF on my old Rocket just edges it).
Just finishing my RocketMAX build (finally), and that's got Ranger & Vigilante on there too.
Also, just for context, I don't usually change my tyres seasonally any more - these stay on all year round.
I don’t want a setup that’s too draggy for riding a few miles on road to the local trails but at the same time I want something that can handle Enduro-esque descents
I run a vigilante on the front, tough/sticky one. It is very draggy. Also very grippy, but not what you want I think.
The thinner tough light ones are ok for rolling, but I think a nice compound high roller rolls as well or better, and grips better. The vigilante will last longer though. Especially for your riding, i'd be preferring a nice rubber in a shape that rolls, rather than a harder rubber in a shape that doesn't roll (which is what a vigilante give you).
That said, there's not a lot in it - but I looked at my vigilante the other day about to go for a ride, and took another bike instead! Though i'm a bit unfit at the moment.
I ran Ranger 2.8s on my hardtail, light/grippy on front and tough/fast rolling on rear. They roll well but aren’t too knobbly and did wash out on the front in anything other than dry conditions
Yeah, this. Okay on the rear, not on the front and a Maxxis Rekon+ is as fast and grippier ime. Better rubber compound. Also the Tough casing has a really wooden ride feel to it. Second, third or whatever comments on what a bastard they are to get on and off tight rims, like their own Scrapers. I had to stand on the bead to break the seal.
Conversely, I've just fitted Ranger/Vigilante to a set of DT M1900 wheels and they went on (and off) fine. Was a little tight with the Ratbites in there second time round, but a plastic lever was still fine to get the last 15cm of bead over the edge.
I run the Vigilante tough variety as a front tyre. Really grippy but quite draggy. Not had an issue with fitting or removal (that wasn't the fault of my own ham fisted efforts - managed to split a bead but that's another story...).
Side wall weight is stiff enough for good all round trail support, no unwanted squirming etc. but they aren't crazy heavy either.
Got 29x2.6 vigilante and 2.5 trail boss on my fs. Vigilante is great for grip. Heavy though. Had a magic Mary in 26x2.35 in the past which I think was the Best front tyre I’d ridden. Vigilante is as good I’d say.
Trail boss is tough and grippy in this size. No complaints although am aware some may prefer faster rolling at the back.
Edit- after initial tubeless setup not had front off but have had rear off and on after lost tension in rear spokes after a day at Antur. Tyre not difficult to get off in fact had to add some gorilla tape to get it to seal after I had retensioned the rear wheel. WTB st i29 rims
Got a 2.25 Ranger on the back of my hard tail. It is fast and noticed that after coming from a Rock Razor which I thought was quick. I would be concerned about durability on the Ranger though especially light/fast on anything rough but it is more of an xc/fast trail tyre and that’s how I use it just now with xr4 upfront. Have you looked at the WTB Riddler?