Puncture Protection

izthewiz1

I'm fed up with tyre gash punctures from flint cutting through both the tread and sidewalls of my Bonty MudX tryes, and I think I'd also like to go tubeless even though that won't specifically solve that problem. Can anyone recommend tyres that:
a) have puncture protection/reinforcement in the tread/sidewall;
b) are reasonably light (MudX currently 550g I think)
c) roll reasonably fast
d) grip well
e) wear well
f) work well as a tubeless conversion or UST

I realise that some of these requirements are mutually exclusive, and that giving the best of the above may require different tyres for front (braking/cornering) and rear (drive grip). What would you recommend?

Wheels are Mavic Crossrides (19mm rim I think), but I'm hoping to upgrade to Hope Pro2s with a wider Mavic rim (521/721s possibly? Suggestions there too if you like. 20mm front axle compatibility is required).
I ride all sorts of terrain, XC, AM and trail centres, so they would have to be good all-rounders with a good capability in wet riding (mud, chalk slime, wet grass etc)

Additionally, are the UST versions any better than the tubeless conversion of a regular tyre (or vice versa) for the above?

Tyres I have researched include Conti Mountain and Speed Kings, Panaracer Razer, Maxxis ADvantage and High Roller. I'm leaning towards the Speed Kings because of WMB's report on their Mountain Mayhem performance, but would they be flint-resistant, and are they the best for front AND rear?

Also, any recommendations for Tubeless conversions?

Sorry if this is long-winded, but I think I've tried to anticipate some of the questions you may all ask!

I realise that meeting all the criteria above will involve some compromise and everyone has favourites, but opinions and reasoning would be very helpful in making up my mind.
I look forward to your comments.
Thanks in advance for your help.

The Spiderman

As you have already,summarised tyres are a compromise.Generally the heavier the tyre,the better the resistance to flats and the thicker the tread/carcass/sidewall.

Speedkings are light XC tyres,so I don`t think they will solve your problem.Generally UST tyres have thicker/stiffer sidewalls than non UST tyres,so are likely to be more resilient.

Continental do however do the beefed up Protection version in most of their ranges,which might be worth looking at.

This question is probably best answered by people who ride in similar terrain,but maybe consider some wider or bigger volume tyres,aswell.

abbots_mike

someone else tried speed kings, not recommended due to flimsy sidewalls

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=14693674

izthewiz1

I notice at the end of the link posted by Abbotts Mike above someone mentions Mountain King UST tyres. I read from Conti's website that the Protection version has sidewall protection, but it's not clear if they have puncture/cut protection in the tread. Anybody know? If they do, I think I will go for the UST Protection Mountain kings.

artillerydave

I am using the 2.4 mountain king UST tyres and they are great, 800g each but very big and tough, and seem to be wearing well, also have noticed a lot more of the standard Mountain Kings fitted as OE equipment this year so they should become more widely available.

Got mine through Ultimate Pursuits.

CupraR

Could someone tell me what UST stand's for please?

Thanks in advance.

artillerydave

universal system tubeless, it is basically a guarantee that if you use UST branded tyres with UST rims they will work together. as stated loads of times however UST tyres are much better with converted rims also eg stans or eclipse etc, as the tyres are specifically designed to run without tubes.