XC Winter Tyres

TheHappyClown

Hey there!

I'm after a bit of advice on some winter tyres. I ride XC and am currently using 2.3" Continental Speed Kings. They are great until they hit anything remotely muddy, so I think its time to invest in some new (folding) tyres.

I've had my eye on Panaracer's Fire XC Pros which I had on my old bike and remember them been great all round preformers, and after a quick read around the forum know they are highly regarded by many users too. Also been looking at the Trailrakers, read a few reviews and they sound spot on for wintery conditions, though I also read that they aren't particularly fast rollers. Just wondering which you guys would opt for given that the Speed Kings work just fine for most of the year, or if you would recommend any other tyres?

Thanks for your help!

JAGGY

Hello there

Bontrager Mud-X 2.0 excellent.

Get 1.8 version if your a lightweight.

daddygix

+1 for the Bontrager's. Amazing traction in the mud. And if you look around you can get some great deals on them.

WaterMonkey

Panaracer Trailraker's are pretty darn good

stumpyjon

+1 for the Trailrakers.

Whatever additional rolling resistance you might get they more than make up for in grip in mud.

Ed 81

I too am running speedkings and want what every one wants, low resistance, high grip, light weight and punture resistance. This months mag reviews rated Hutchinson's Toro XC marathon as the best all rounder, and have been looking for u.k suppliers, but the only one was the the one mentioned in the mag and at £35 each a bit pricey for me.

The speed kings work good for me, and am reluctant to take them of but for the suicidal factor and loss of rear traction. Any other suggestions?

(punture resistance is a big factor)

DanEvs

Nobby Nic 2.2 EVO's are about the best compromise I've found. Good grip in the mud, really fast rolling and just about grippy enough for the slippery rocks at trailcenters.

Maybe not the best as an out and out mud tyre but it'll certainly outperform your speedkings with a similar rolling resistance. Save the SK's for summer!

TheHappyClown

Thanks for the advice guys. I've just come back from the Lightwater Valley XC race which was the muddiest course I've ever ridden and has compounded my desire for new tyres. Will check out the Bontrager's and let you know what I think!

Thanks again.

thomasali

If the conditions are utterly terrible go for the trailrakers - they were designed for the UK winter! I am using a 2.1 Bonty Mud x on the front of my 29er and its not hooking up quite as well as I thought it would! I am taking it for a longer spin combined with a better rear tyre tomorrow........... I normally use the Trailrakers for Epping Forest clay/mud/clag and they are awesome (even if they rip chunks out of the trail...) since I went 29er I have been hunting good 29er mud tyres, bontrager is the only option at the mo for 29".

jojo90

Panaracer Fire XC Pros are a classic choice and for good reason I'm now running these on 3 of my bikes.

thomasali

not so good for thick mud are they though?

jojo90

No problems for me, was out in the new forest today experiencing a total mud-fest and hardly spun out at all. In fact my drivetrain got clogged so much chain-stuck stopped me making the climbs.

For a generic winter tyre I haven't found better. If mud is a concern run mud specific tyres or 1.8 Fire XC Pros.

johnsav

depends what mud it is.. its really sticky where i live at the moment and my fire xc's were clogged up quite bad the other day.. was good fun though!

roger_merriman

if your racing i'd go for speed it would have to be seriously bog tastic for a full on with these puppies i can claw my way though or up any thing tires, as such tires tend to be less than fast rolling.

BOYDIE

Another vote for the Mud-X 2.0.

Tank-slapper

Nobby Nic 2.25 are pretty good at all round winter. Next time I will be getting 2.1 though to increase clearance and reduce mud build-up.

.blitz

+1

Got some 2.1s on F+R at the mo' and they are surprisingly good in mud. I've stalled a few times in gloop that was deeper than I thought but they still hook up and drive out.

Downside of the mud-clearing ability is that they cover me and the bike in crap even on shorter rides. Looks like I've been out for hours tho'

streako

I wasnt impressed by Bonty muds when I tried them last year. Not bad in Scottish gloop (no better than Fire pros IMO), but I found them to be poor on other surfaces, namely rocks and roots, where the Fires gave more reassurance.

So, I am using Fire Xc pros as my year-round tyre. (Up here, winter and summer are pretty much the same anyhow)