29” MTB tires for dry conditions

[stephenmarklay]

I dabble with MTB riding and I need a tire upgrade. There are a dizzying number of tires available so I am looking for a recommendation for a dry condition tire. If it also could handle a little wet just in case great but 9.5/10 it will be dry.

I am looking perhaps to go with a 2.4” and prefer a tad lighter as my bike is already a beast for weight.

[Matthew]

I like Schwalbe Racing Ralphs

[.RJ]

Conti x-king
Maxxis Ikon

[Fatty]

These have proven satisfactory for me.

http://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/mtb-reviews/vittoria-mezcal-tnt-2017

[stephenmarklay]

These have proven satisfactory for me.

http://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/mtb-reviews/vittoria-mezcal-tnt-2017

I was looking at these. Maybe I will give them a try.

[JAGI410]

Ardent front/Ikon rear

[p nut]

Ardent front/Ikon rear

Solid combo. I'm running Vittoria Goma 2.4" and Ardent Race 2.2". Front is about the same, but in the rear, the Ardent Race has a bit more bite (at the cost of few more grams). For fast XC conditions, I'll put Ikon's back on.

Racing Ralph's has been good for me as well, but they wore too fast and sidewalls kept weeping sealant.

[sandyrs]

Another vote for the Ikon. My 29er is currently set up with a 2.2" Ardent Race up front and a 2.2" Ikon out back. If I were only racing/riding in dry conditions, I'd do Ikon for both. It's fine in slightly wet conditions but the Ardent Race has better bite.

[gdw]

What are the trails like where you ride? Hardpack, loose, sandy....?

[NHAero]

I have the Ikon as well. In looser conditions, still dry, like sandy, I wish I had more bite. Otherwise excellent and a great rolling tire.

[Gummee]

IF you're near a Bontrager dealer:

XR1 or XR2 in the back and an XR3 in the front

M

[Tony]

Ardent front/Ikon rear

This combo can handle lots of conditions. Also, like
p nut I switch out with the Ardent Race in the rear for looser conditions.

I've also been impressed with Bontrager XR3 in the front, And the XR4!

[weaponsgrade]

I'm running a set of 2.25 Thunder Burts on my 29er. I wanted something that wasn't a dog on the road and would still handle dry and somewhat rocky fireroads and dirt. I've been happy with the compromise.

[sparky33]

Ardent front/Ikon rear

Ardent Race, mixing the best of the Ikon and the Ardent.

[ofcounsel]

for Dry XC riding, Ardent Race. front and rear I like them a bit more than the Racing Ralph's.

For Burlier trail stuff, I use a Magic Mary front/Nobby Nic rear combo. Works well in dry conditions.

[stephenmarklay]

What are the trails like where you ride? Hardpack, loose, sandy....?

Mostly hard, a bit rocky, not too rooty but usually a dusting if sand.

[stephenmarklay]

I have the Ikon as well. In looser conditions, still dry, like sandy, I wish I had more bite. Otherwise excellent and a great rolling tire.

This sounds about like what I typically get. I have slid out the front on the light sandy top layer before.

[stephenmarklay]

Big help here guys. Thanks so much.

[p nut]

Of note: Ikon 2.35 is a much burlier tire than 2.2. Significant different. Still rolls fast enough, but much more pronounced lugs. This would make a good front tire if the 2.2 doesn't have enough bite. It feels much more supple than the Ardent Race as well.

[1X10]

I am currently running the Ardent front2.4 and back2.2 and really enjoy...just enough roll but along with the side lug for bite, it makes for a great all rounder!!

Have also ran the Ardent race...quick!!

[stephenmarklay]

I see that using a 2.4 front and 2.2 year is common. So I can see how this may promote some more rear end steering.

What is the logic for different sizes?

[Tony]

I see that using a 2.4 front and 2.2 year is common. So I can see how this may promote some more rear end steering.

What is the logic for different sizes?

Wider up front gives better grip when cornering, less likely to wash out.

"A bigger contact patch makes for better steering control, and the higher volume helps to absorb big hits and maintain control in critical situations. Also, the extra weight doesn’t have as much of a perceived effect as it would on the rear wheel, which is directly attached to your drive train and thus, your legs.

Rear tires are where the power from your muscles turns into forward momentum. For this reason you want to use a rear tire with enough tread for traction, but not enough to create excessive resistance. This is also why a narrow tire goes on the rear wheel; it’s lighter, requiring less energy to rotate".

Heading up to Nevada City this morning, doing Burlington Ridge, Hallelujah, Scott's Drop, and the NEW Hoot trail!!

[simplemind]

Schwalbe 2.35 NN Trailstar front and 2.25 NN Pacestar rear is what you want. Highest traction & lowest rolling resistance combination there is. Also decent braking which any light Maxxis doesn't have.

Heavy Maxxis, ie DHR, DHF, HR are great if you have tree trunks for legs. :eek:

[Britishbane]

Ikon for all conditions except moderate to heavy mud.

[Fatty]

This sounds about like what I typically get. I have slid out the front on the light sandy top layer before.

Maybe just weight the front tire more. Bend your elbows and drop your chest a bit.

[ofcounsel]

Wider up front gives better grip when cornering, less likely to wash out.

"A bigger contact patch makes for better steering control, and the higher volume helps to absorb big hits and maintain control in critical situations. Also, the extra weight doesn’t have as much of a perceived effect as it would on the rear wheel, which is directly attached to your drive train and thus, your legs.

Rear tires are where the power from your muscles turns into forward momentum. For this reason you want to use a rear tire with enough tread for traction, but not enough to create excessive resistance. This is also why a narrow tire goes on the rear wheel; it’s lighter, requiring less energy to rotate".



Yep. It's also why some of us will use wider and burlier tires up front, with a less aggressive tire in the rear. Like using a Magic Mary front, with a Nobby Nic rear... Or a Nobby Nic front with a Racing Ralph Rear, or a Maxxis DHF front with an Maxxis Agressor rear.

[AJosiahK]

Magic Mary, file like tread in the center, large profile and great compound for a durable strong good riding tire. Plus the outer tread edges are bigger, so more bite on the turns.

I use it more for a rear enduro setup. and a knobbier tire up front.

Maxxis Ardents set up tubeless would be great. I do find them lacking in the front arena.

go shred !

[stephenmarklay]

Schwalbe 2.35 NN Trailstar front and 2.25 NN Pacestar rear is what you want. Highest traction & lowest rolling resistance combination there is. Also decent braking which any light Maxxis doesn't have.

Heavy Maxxis, ie DHR, DHF, HR are great if you have tree trunks for legs. :eek:

They now have a new compound called ADDIX that is supposed to be fast and grippy like the best of Trailstar and Pacestar.

[simplemind]

They now have a new compound called ADDIX that is supposed to be fast and grippy like the best of Trailstar and Pacestar.

Yes, if/when you can get it which can be an issue with Schwalbe. I still think you'd be hard pressed to find a better overall set up than what I mentioned given your XC terrain.
That said, when it get's steep and gnarly, I want the biggest, toughest tire that fits my frame. For that I'm currently running the e*thirteen TRS Race which is a new tire that may indeed kick out the Maxxis Minion DHF that has been the gold standard front tire. I couple that with either the Minion DHR II or the Minion SS for the rear depending on how much climbing is involved.

[Mr Cabletwitch]

I've been a big fan of the Ikons for a while now, good predictable tire. I recently starting using bontrager expert tires for cost reasons on my EWR and I gotta say they are some good tires. I run an Xr2 on the rear and an xr3 on the front and love them. Getting ready to try a pair of WTB trail bosses on my new bike for the volume though. If money was no object Ikon is the way to go, if you want to save a few bucks try the Bontrager experts.

[Ronsonic]

Recently ran a pair of Continental RaceKings. Fast and smooth. Living in Central Florida I'm riding on sand and leaf litter. My rides went from ;) to :eek: every time the trail turned. But, yeah, if we had more packed stuff, I'd love them.

[stephenmarklay]

Recently ran a pair of Continental RaceKings. Fast and smooth. Living in Central Florida I'm riding on sand and leaf litter. My rides went from ;) to :eek: every time the trail turned. But, yeah, if we had more packed stuff, I'd love them.


I was pretty surprised that Conti had not been mentioned yet and Maxxis dominated the discussion. That is why I asked - I am just not in the know.

I currently run Schwalbe and those tires seem to be high quality. Just the tread on mine or just average.

[Fatty]

Conti x-king
Maxxis Ikon

Can't beat the Race Kings with Black Chili rubber.

[.RJ]

Can't beat the Race Kings with Black Chili rubber.

I just ordered some x-kings in 2.4 & 2.2 for my Jet 9. That bike is getting hooked up this spring... 1x11 XX1, new tires, drooper post.

[Gummee]

I rode my XR1s in the mud today at the Quantico Centennial Epic

They did better than expected, but not as good as a mud tire. Especially after I got to the parts of the trails that had been ridden by the everyone else other than the 50mi group

M

[.RJ]

I was there today too. What a **** show.

[Gummee]

I was there today too. What a **** show.

Once everyone got thru the blue loop, it was pretty bad. The OCS loop was good.

Glad I got to go over there. I'd never been past the gym before. I grew up going down to MCB Quantico cause Dad was Army and that was the closest military post.

M

[skrhone]

I'm in the desert of Arizona....
Specialized Renegades all the way

[heartattackride]

Specialized Renegades all the way
+1 for me here in Southern California. Loose sandy over hard mostly where I ride. For me Ikons and Ardent felt slightly more than needed.